Geoprobe & DPT Services

Direct-push technology (DPT) sampling may not be the most exciting drilling methodology, but it is a great way to conduct site characterization for environmental sites.

DPT sampling is more commonly referred to as “geoprobing” after the company that pioneered the technology, Geoprobe.  This method “pushes” the tool string into the ground utilizing the weight of the rig and, if necessary, percussion. Direct push tools do not remove cuttings from the probe hole but depend on compression of soil or rearrangement of soil particles to permit advancement for the tool string. 

Not only can this method collect soil samples in core barrel samplers, but it can also install soil vapor sampling points, temporary well points, and even permanent monitoring wells.  This allows clients to sample different media with the same rig in the same mobilization.  This flexibility makes the technology well suited for initial site characterization-type investigations.

B&B operates two track-mounted Geoprobe units (6610DT & 7730DT) that are easily deployed to sites throughout New Jersey and beyond.  These smaller footprint machines are able to access areas that are inaccessible by larger rigs and areas that rubber-tire machines cannot get to.  We often deploy this equipment with “soft dig” equipment such as the air lance/vacuum setup and hand tools.

Here are some examples of work recently completed with our probes:

  • Soft Dig/DPT Sampling – Utilizing the air lance/vacuum setup our crew soft dug 70 boring locations to a depth of 5 feet.  The Geoprobe was then setup on each hole and collected soil samples to the target depth of 12 feet.
  • Interior Monitoring Well Installation – A permanent 2-inch PVC monitoring well was installed inside a small warehouse in northern New Jersey.  Our crew utilized a core drill to core through the concrete floor.  Hollow-stem augers were then used to drill the borehole to 15 feet deep at which point the well materials were installed.  The well was then completed with a flush-mount manhole installed in the original core hole.
  • Bedrock Well Installation – Our client needed to install a shallow bedrock at a location that our typical air rotary rig, Ingersoll-Rand T4W, could not access.  We were able use our 6610DT equpiped with an air hammer and drill bit to get the job done with the T4W rig parked nearby to supply the compressed air.  The well was drilled and cased through the overburden and 20 feet into competent bedrock at which point 2-inch PVC well materials were installed.
  • Remote Sample Collection – This particular site was inaccessible by our track rig.  Our crew utilized the DPT tooling with a gas-powered jack-hammer to drive in the tooling and collect soil samples.  Temporary well points were also installed in these boreholes.

The HRS and B&B Drilling companies are a leading drilling contractor providing environmental investigation, water well drilling, dewatering and geothermal services to the Greater New York and New Jersey area.  For more information contact us or call us at 973-347-2250.

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Well Abandonments

Most of the focus in our industry is put on drilling new wells, but properly decommissioning existing wells is crucial to the safety of residents and the preservation of groundwater resources.   In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulates the decommissioning, or abandonment, of wells.  This includes wells such as residential supply, hand dug, well points, and monitoring wells.

Here are some important things to consider when decommissioning your well:

  • Records – A NJDEP-approved well record must be obtained prior to decommissioning.  If you do not have a copy you, or your driller, can request one from the state.
  • Non-recorded wells – There are some instances where the state does a well record.  This may be because the well is very old or the driller did not file the paperwork.  In these instances, the driller must collect measurements on the total depth, casing depth, and well diameter and submit to the state with a request for authorization.  The state then provides authorization to the driller to close the well.
  • License – All work must be performed under direct on-site supervision of licensed well driller (of proper class).  This applies to hand dug and well point systems.
  • Process – Typically the driller mobilizes to the well location, removes any pumping equipment, ensures it is otherwise clear of any obstructions, and fills with a cement grout mixture.
  • Reporting – After work is completed the licensed driller will submit a Decommissioning Reports to the NJDEP for approval.

Here are a few examples of well abandonment projects we have recently completed.

  • Monitoring Wells – 24 MWs were abandoned prior to planned remedial excavation utilizing union labor.
  • Industrial – Two large production wells with 300+ gpm capacity were abandoned.  Pumps were removed from each prior to filling.
  • Hand dug – A licensed driller was provided to guide and oversee the decommissioning of a hand dug well after HRS drilled a replacement well at the property.
  • Residential – Authorization was requested and obtained to decommission a non-recorded well after we drilled a replacement.  The well characteristics were measured and submitted to the state along with a proposal for abandonment.  Once authorization was obtained the work proceeded with pump removal and pressure tremie grouting.

As you can see we abandon wells of all classes and sizes.  If you need more information on well decommissioning please do not hesitate to contact us.

HRS Drilling is a leading drilling contractor providing environmental investigation, water well drilling, dewatering and geothermal services to the Greater New York and New Jersey area.  For more information contact us or call us at 973-347-2250.

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NJ Faces Worst Drought Since 2002

Counties throughout northern New Jersey are facing moderate to severe drought conditions.  A hot summer, increased water demand and lower rainfall totals have combined to lower water levels of local reservoirs and water wells.  http://s.nj.com/IgwiTrT

HRS has been able to help residents improve their well production and water quality in these dry times by providing pump service, well deepenings and well replacements.  Two recent projects demonstrate our ability to serve water well customers.

Shallow Hand Dug Well

A customer called complaining of low water production and poor quality of water in an old hand dug well on his property.  We were able to quickly obtain permits and drill a new well to provide an adequate water source for the customer’s home.

New Well vs. Pump Service

Another customer called to get a second opinion on the well/pump on his property after a contractor told him that he would need a new pump and pressure tank because the low water levels in his well had damaged his old pump.  We sent a service crew to the house to check on the problem and they quickly determined the problem was just a faulty pressure switch.  The crew replaced the switch thus saving the customer thousands of dollars.

Please contact us if you have any issues with your water wells or pump.  We are here to help assess the problem, develop a workable/affordable solution and get water flowing through your home again.

HRS Drilling is a leading drilling contractor providing environmental investigation, water well drilling, dewatering and geothermal services to the Greater New York and New Jersey area.  For more information contact us or call us at 973-347-2250.

 

 

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Two Masters, One Journeyman & One Monitor Well Driller Added to Staff

Four of our employees traveled to Bordentown in June hoping to pass one of the NJDEP drilling exams and all four came back successful in that pursuit.

The NJDEP has granted only two Master Well Driller Licenses this year and both were to our employees.  David Myerchin and Mark Christman each acquired this highest level license which allows them to work on public community supply well systems in addition to all other drilling activities.  David and Mark join Doug Myerchin as our Master Drillers.  Doug has carried the torch as our lone Master Driller for years.

David has been with B&B since its inception and has over 30 years of drilling experience.  He is a versatile driller who has worked on everything from soil borings to dewatering well points to geothermal wells to water well drilling projects.  He also runs our shop and maintains the equipment.

Mark has over 25 years drilling experience, including 9 with B&B.  Mark has a long history of water well drilling in north Jersey, but also has extensive experience on environmental projects.

Long time B&B employee Justin Meyerhofer got a Monitoring Well Driller License.  Justin has been a helper on all of our equipment and is well versed in environmental and water well drilling.

Andrew Wadden upgraded his license to Journeman Well Driller allowing him to work and install pumps on all classes of wells except public community supplies.

HRS Drilling is a leading drilling contractor providing environmental investigation, water well drilling, dewatering and geothermal services to the Greater New York and New Jersey area.  For more information contact us or call us at 973-347-2250.

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