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Environmental impacts are increasingly being monitored with groundwater abstractions through:

- Water Catchment areas
- Water framework directive
- Respecting source protection zones
- Nitrates and "safe yield" of borehole

.......these are principally the concerns of regulators.

Now with a drive towards a green economy, climate change and it's impact on groundwater- sustainability and the importance of protecting our groundwater-it's now and major social and environmental issue.

Padraig Briody

What are Tannins?
Tannins are a natural organic material that can be the by-products of nature's fermentation
process, created as water passes through peaty soil and decaying vegetation. This can cause
water to have a faint yellow to tea-like colour and can cause yellow staining on fabrics, fixtures,
china and laundry. Tannins may give a tangy or tart aftertaste to water. They may also cause water to have a musty or earthy odour.

Tannins – also known as fulvic or humic acid – are more common in surface water supplies and
shallow wells than in deep wells. Water in marshy, low-lying, or coastal areas is also more
susceptible to tannins. HOWEVER, many wells allow untreated surface water to migrate down to the groundwater in the well shaft....therefore Tannins are detected in your deep well groundwater analysis.

Padraig Briody

"The microbiological quality of private water supplies remains inferior to public supplies, with a significant number of E. coli detections in small private supplies and private group water schemes. Furthermore, it is estimated that up to 30% of the 170,000 unregulated private wells in the country are contaminated with E. coli, which presents a health risk for those consuming the water" (EPA, 2015c).

Dont settle for an "aesthetic" cement sealing of your well. Talk the method of well sealing through with the Drilling Contractor. Be sure the method makes sense to you. In your opinion is it fit for purpose,is it logical that mixing cement and emplacing the cement into an openhole with no temporary outer casing will achieve an effective grout seal around the permanently fitted uPVC or steel casing??. Bear in mind the nature of  overburden ie top soils and loose clays/gravel layers which typically collapses as soon as the drill hammer drills this material....(and you can be sure that the overburden has well collapsed after the drilling tools are retrieved and before the permanent inner casing is installed). Where no outer conductor casing is installed............Is the cement really going to pack nice and neatly around the full circumference of the permanent inner casing and end up deep into the rock socket to create a seal from migrating and possibly contaminated surface water leaking in to your well??. I dont think so.

Cement seal a borehole properly and effectively or there really is no point in doing this element of the work.

Padraig Briody

One of the major benefits of geothermal well drilling is that it provides renewable energy, meaning that as long as we don't pump too much cold water into the earth -cooling off the hot rocks- the energy will just keep on coming.

Padraig Briody

A minimum of 25% of water supply in Ireland is contributed from groundwater. it is estimated that there are several hundred thounsands of private wells across rural Ireland. Geologically each well is quite unique...in a sense each has its own DNA inprint. A water well is much more than a vertical shaft into the ground. 

Padraig Briody

Costs for well drilling,pump installation & water treatment for existing dwellings qualify under the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme for a 13.5% rebate. This is a good news story for compliant  well drilling Contractors and eligible householders planning to install their own private well. 

Padraig Briody

Realistically speaking....average costs for drilling your own domestic well indicated in article published in Sunday Independent recently as momentum is building for rolling out water charges.

Padraig Briody

Complimentary words from Journalist Mr Joe Barry writing in the Irish Independent-Farming Section recently (18-2-2014).

Padraig Briody

Padraig Briody

Padraig Briody

Padraig Briody

Padraig Briody

Padraig Briody

Padraig Briody