Clearing the Way – Using Mechanical Tools in Well Rehabilitation

When a water well starts showing signs of reduced flow, decreased efficiency, or produces discoloured or smelly water, one of the likely culprits is buildup inside the well.

Over time, minerals and bacteria accumulate on the well casing, screen, and surrounding areas. If left untreated, these deposits can severely limit the well’s performance. Fortunately, there’s a reliable first step in the rehabilitation process—mechanical cleaning.

What Is Mechanical Well Cleaning?

Mechanical cleaning uses specialized tools to physically scrub, scrape, or agitate the inside of the well, breaking up mineral scale, biofilm, and debris. This is especially effective in easily accessible areas such as the casing and the screen section of the well.

Common mechanical tools include:

• Wire brushes: Rotated down the well to scrub the interior surfaces and dislodge scale.

• Disk swabs: Rubber or flexible swabs that sweep and scrape as they move up and down the well.

• Surge blocks: Devices that create a surge or back-and-forth movement of water in the well to agitate debris and biofilm loose from the formation and screen.

• Airlift pumping: Once the debris is loosened, it must be removed. Airlift pumping uses compressed air to bring water and suspended particles up to the surface for disposal.

Why Mechanical Cleaning Matters

Mechanical cleaning serves two key purposes:

1. Immediate debris removal: By physically dislodging loose scale and biofilm, you quickly restore some of the well’s flow capacity.

2. Improved chemical treatment: After mechanical cleaning, chemical rehabilitation treatments become much more effective. With the surface buildup out of the way, chemical agents can better penetrate deep into the gravel pack and formation, where more stubborn mineral and bacterial deposits may still remain.

   
   

Best Practices

• Always remove all dislodged material from the well during or immediately after mechanical cleaning. If it’s left in place, it can resettle and cause blockages.

• Combine with chemical treatment as part of a full rehabilitation program, especially in cases where the blockage has penetrated beyond the screen.

• Perform mechanical cleaning regularly as part of a preventative maintenance plan for high-use irrigation or production wells.

Final Thoughts

Mechanical tools are the frontline solution in well rehabilitation. They're effective, affordable, and essential for preparing the well for deeper treatment. When done properly, this method can breathe new life into a well that’s lost efficiency—restoring performance and extending its service life.

If you’re experiencing a drop in well performance, a mechanical clean may be the first step in getting your water system back on track.

Need expert help with well rehabilitation?Aquabiotics Industrial offers comprehensive well cleaning services using both mechanical and chemical techniques. Contact us to discuss how we can restore your well’s performance.