ABSTRACT
Great care and good scientific investigations must be utilized in the design and construction of an open-hole well. In aquifers that contain unconsolidated or unlithified material, an open-hole well design cannot be used because the borehole would collapse when the well is pumped. However, the exact production well design must be adjusted to meet very specific site conditions. The static water level in each production well should be monitored to assess loss of efficiency, which necessitates maintenance. Well maintenance should be performed on a regular basis and should be a line item in each annual budget. Each pump manufacturer provides a recommended maintenance schedule for pumps. Wells and well pumps must be considered to be operating components of the plant, which require frequent inspection and periodic maintenance. In order to meet some criteria that are important to the successful operation of a membrane treatment plant, it is necessary to change the construction methodology and in some cases, the well design.
