After receiving a few emails and bumping into people with concerns about their Lake Beseck wells, I want to offer some helpful guidance that comes from Ed Bailey, Chairman of the Middlefield Water Pollution Control Authority.
According to the Selectman's office, thankfully, there has only been a couple of reports of households without water as a result of the Lake Beseck drawdown. They are keeping an eye on things and have been in contact with DEEP. As word travels, other homeowners have become a little nervous about their own wells.
Below, you will find a lot of information about wells in addition to helpful resources that I hope will be of value, should you need it.
Feel free to give Ed a call if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Amy Poturnicki, President
Lake Beseck Association
Lake Beseck Drained and Water Wells
The current Lake Beseck drawdown for dam reconstruction has caused a few domestic water wells near the lake to run dry. Representatives of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) stated at the various public hearings about the dam repair that there was the possibility of a few private wells having water issues. This fall’s rainfall amounts have been much less than average and this could also contribute to a well problem.
Several factors may cause a well to run “dry”. These included the depth, size, and type of a particular well. There might be issues with the mechanical systems associated with the well causing pumping issues.
A shallow dug well is usually dug to a level just below that of the level of the ground water. These wells near the lake are for obvious reasons impacted by the level of the lake. With the lake lowered the water table may have dropped enough causing the well to run dry. A driven point well would also be likely to be impacted by the lake level given that these wells are also rather shallow as they are driven to a level above bedrock. Driven point wells are generally of a small diameter of 1-1/2” to 2”. This small diameter in itself might contribute to inadequate recharging with a lowered water table given that it drawing from a small area.
A drilled well is drilled into bedrock under the water table. These wells are not likely to have water issues related to the lake drawdown. A drilled well generally is drilled deep enough into fissures in the bedrock that adequately recharge the well. If you have drilled well installed to modern well standards you are most unlikely to have any water issues with the lake drawdown. Modern drilled wells are designed to be deep enough to provide an adequate water yield over a wide range of conditions.
Drilled wells might have issues with underground fractures that recharge the well. These fractures can become clogged with sand and sediment over time reducing the yield of the well. If you have a drilled well that is running out of water intermittently this well might be a candidate for hydrofracting that can increase the well’s yield.
Sediment issues can affect any type of well. The older the well the likelihood of this occurring increases. Unfortunately hydrofracting is only suitable for a modern drilled well given the techniques used to hydrofract the well. Very old drilled wells might not be built to modern standards making them unsuitable to this process.
A well running ‘dry’ might not actually be a dry well. With the drop of the water table several mechanical issues could be causing a lack of water. Any well could have a worn out pump that is unable to lift water to the surface. A submersible pump might not be submerged in water anymore. This type of pump could be set at a lower level in the well casing so that it is submerged in water. A shallow well that uses a jet pump might also have a worn pump. The level of the intake pipe might need to be adjusted to insure that it is submerged. Another issue that affects a jet pump is that the level of the water may have dropped to a point where a jet pump can no longer pick up water. In this case the well might be suitable to have a submersible pump installed that will operate at depth beyond the capacity of a jet pump.
Another problem that is mechanically related is the water piping and fittings in the system. Generally a leaking water pipe or fitting outside the well casing would be easy to see or locate, however sometimes the water piping and fittings inside the well casing can leak. This might go undetected unless the well is properly inspected. There is a fitting called a pitiless adapter in drilled wells that has an O-ring gasket. If this O-ring was to blow out the water being pumped out of the well could be greatly reduced. Coupled with a lowered water table this might cause water pressure to reduce giving the appearance of the well going ‘dry’.
If the yield of your well is reduced for any reason installing a larger hydro-pneumatic tank would allow a greater water storage capacity to meet your peak water demands.
If you are experiencing water issues your first step is to inspect and troubleshoot your pump and mechanical systems to insure that they are in top condition. I know many of you are mechanically inclined so you’ll do this yourself. Others will need to call a Connecticut licensed well pump installer or a plumbler. If it is determined that the water level in your well is too low or non-existent you will need to contact a well driller to evaluate your options. To assist you in locating a well driller the Land Use Department at the Community Center, 405 Main Street, has a listing of Connecticut licensed well drillers available for your convenience.
If you need a new well consider this as an opportunity to upgrade to a modern drilled well, built to today’s sanitary standards. These standards are designed to insure that a well will produce a safe, sanitary and adequate water supply. This type of well will protect your well from contamination, particularly from bacteria. It will also enhance your property value as it is very desirable from a buyer’s perspective.
The Connecticut Department of Health recommends that private well owners test their well semi-annually (spring/fall) for nitrates, bacteria, physical parameters (color, odor, turbidity, pH) and other contaminates that are of concern. Test whenever you notice a change in taste, color, or odor of your drinking water.
If you are experiencing long recharge times on your well, reducing your water consumption might keep you from having your water run out peroiodically.
Some water conservation tips:
o Using a dishwasher when full uses less water than hand washing.
o No car washing or outdoor watering.
o Showers use less water than a bath.
o Use paper plates and cups to reduce dishwashing.
o Send your laundry out or go to a Laundromat.
o Use water conservation devices like low flow showerheads and low flow faucet aerators.*
*The Middlefield Water Pollution Control Authority has water conservation kits available free of charge. See Nancy at the Land Use Office, Community Center at 405 Main Street.
If you find yourself without water you might consider making a deal with a neighbor to share some water until you can sort out the problem. A potable (drinking) water hose could be used to interconnect the water systems of two houses. A possibility exists that water might flow from your neighbor into your empty well or cause sanitary issues; so plumber is definitely suggested to make this connection. Another option is to have a well company install a temporary tank and pump outdoors that can be filled with water by a commercial water hauler. Either option might not provide much water but should provide a minimum of water for sanitary usage.
If anyone has any questions I would be happy to try to provide an answer, please contact me at 860-343-0405.
Edward Bailey
Second Selectman, Town of Middlefield
Chairman, Middlefield Water Pollution Control Authority
