The Ultimate Guide

The Ultimate Guide

Tommy Stricklin from SpringWell Water recently released The Ultimate Guide on how a water well works, and it absolutely lives up to its name. This guide covers everything from the basics of well systems to the latest technology. It explains how wells provide water to rural areas and breaks down key components like well casings, pumps, and pressure tanks. Stricklin dives into the different types of wells, including drilled, dug, and driven wells, explaining how each type is constructed and the best scenarios for their use. The guide also highlights the importance of proper maintenance to prevent contamination and to make sure the water supply stays reliable. Stricklin packed this article with useful tips, like choosing the best well site, estimating household water needs, and keeping toxic chemicals away from the well.

Helping An Aging Workforce

The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded $65 million in grants to community colleges to help train people for in-demand jobs, including those in the water industry. This is crucial as the water sector is facing a significant challenge: many of its workers are nearing retirement. According to the Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, one-third of the current workforce in the water industry is expected to retire soon. This creates a high demand for new, skilled professionals to fill those roles. The grants will help community colleges develop training programs to prepare students for these in-demand jobs. By supporting training in water technology and management, these grants aim to ensure the industry has a steady pipeline of skilled workers to maintain and improve water systems across the country.

IoT Devices in Water Management

WaterWorld released a recent article that makes the case for IoT (i.e. smart devices and sensors connected to the internet) in water management. We pulled out some of the most interesting quotes:

• “With the average cost to fix water damage sitting at $89,000, the urgency for proactive measures is more than pressing—it’s long overdue.”

• “While ten drips per minute may seem inconsequential, it adds up over time, equating to roughly one gallon of water per day.”

• “The advent of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solutions and smart water management is proving to be a game-changer, especially for building owners seeking to save money.”

• “It [IoT] also helps reduce energy waste in water processing by an estimated 25%, representing a considerable stride in the march toward heightened ecological responsibility.”

• “With smart water management, leaks and related issues are mitigated while promoting a sustainable approach to resource preservation.”

Cooking With Hard Water

Culligan of Los Angeles, who mentions that they “don’t sell washing machines or lawn mowers” on their About Us page, wrote about how hard water can impact home cooking. Hard water, with its high mineral content, can alter the taste and texture of food, making pasta tougher and coffee taste metallic. It can also interfere with baking, affecting gluten formation and yeast activity. To manage these issues, the Culligan team suggests adjusting recipes, using lemon juice or vinegar, and starting cooking earlier. And of course, for a long-term solution, installing Culligan water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or whole-house filtration systems is recommended.

What else is happening:

• In another blow to the bottled water industry, a jury recently awarded $3 billion in damages to eight people who suffered trauma from drinking now-bankrupt Real Water's toxic alkaline water

• The Canadian Mining Journal claims the mining industry leads in water treatment innovation (with advanced tech like gravel bed bioreactors), surpassing other sectors due to stringent regulations

• Brian Campbell from WaterFilterGuru reviewed the BOROUX Legacy Water Filter System (he says “meh”)

• SpringWell Water did a refresh of their deionized water article, going deep on all the benefits and risks