ABSTRACT
To develop a sensitive method for relating the impact of biological plugging and geochemical clogging on the fouling of a water well, a strategy has been developed in which a well fouling index (WFI) is generated based upon the specific capacity and the aggressivity of various groups of bacteria using the Biological Activity Reaction Test (BART) testers. Equal weighting is given to the historical trend analysis for specific capacity in the well being examined and the historical aggressivity of four selected BART testers. The WFI risk factor would be considered as low, medium, and high depending upon the changes as the well ages in the specific capacity and time lag as an indication of bacterial aggressivity. WFI can be applied effectively in the water well management program to predict the extent of fouling and its impact on the production capacity of the wells.
