Water Well Testing

Water Well Testing

Marquis Alliance offers pre and post-drilling water well testing. Water well testing prior to drilling facilitates the gathering of baseline data regarding the quality and quantity of water in the aquifer. Marquis Alliance offers three types of water well tests: 

Coalbed Methane (CBM)

With coalbed methane (CBM) projects, Alberta Environment requires water well testing for all water wells within 600m to be completed prior to drilling.

If no well is found within 600m, then the radius is extended to 800m.

For CAM testing, a yield test comprised of a 120-minute drawdown and 120-minute recovery is completed.

Water and gas samples (if applicable) are collected for analysis from each well. A standardized form including landowner information, water well drawdown and recovery testing, water quality analysis, bacteriological analysis and analysis of any gas collected during drawdown is required. All testing and reporting is completed in accordance with ERCB Directive 035 and Appendix 13 to ERCB Directive 056.

Routine

Routine water well testing includes all of the CBM water well procedures and uses a reduced yield test. The yield test is comprised of a 60-minute drawdown and 60-minute recovery. The flow through cell can be utilized to capture any gas present. The routine testing is commonly used at the request of operators or landowners to ensure the water quality and drilling does not adversely alter aquifer yield.

Sample

Sample only water well tests are commonly used to provide baseline ground water quality information pre or post-drilling. During sampling, a technician collects a water sample from the well in question, confers with the landowner regarding well history, changes in usage and normal water qualities.

For all water well testing types, Marquis Alliance prepares a cover letter and report of the results, which is sent directly to the landowner. For CBM testing, Marquis Alliance submits the required forms directly to Alberta Environment on behalf of the client. APEGGA member project management is in place.