Managing an Artesian Well: A Tailored Solution for a Private Enterprise

Deep beneath the surface, artesian wells tap into pressurized groundwater, naturally bringing water to the surface without the need for pumps. While they can be valuable water sources, these wells also pose challenges—especially when located in unexpected places, such as a corporate facility’s basement. 

At a customer's Upstate New York location, an artesian well inside a cistern continuously produced up to 120 gallons of water per minute, requiring costly treatment and disposal. To mitigate expenses and prepare the well for potential plugging, the company turned to Plants & Goodwin for an efficient, expert-driven solution.

Understanding the Challenge

This corporate customer faced ongoing issues with their artesian well:

• Constant Water Flow - The well discharged a continuous flow of groundwater that had to be pumped to a wastewater treatment facility before being returned to the river, leading to recurring costs.
  
  
• Confined Space Hazards - The well was situated inside a cistern within the basement, requiring trained personnel for safe access and work execution.
  
  
• Obstructed Well Access - A large PVC elbow fitting attached to the well casing made downhole access nearly impossible, creating an additional barrier to intervention.

Strategic Execution: The Plants & Goodwin Solution

With expertise in well decommissioning and confined space operations, Plants & Goodwin mobilized a five-person team to evaluate and execute the project. Leveraging their deep knowledge of well intervention techniques, Plants & Goodwin successfully:

• Navigated the confined space environment with trained personnel and proper safety protocols.
  
  
• Removed the obstruction preventing downhole access, preparing the well for continued monitoring and eventual plugging.
  
  
• Completed the operation in a single day, minimizing disruption to the customer’s facility.
  
  

  The result? The well is now fully accessible for further evaluation and they have taken the first step toward eliminating unnecessary water management costs while ensuring long-term environmental compliance.

  Managing Legacy Wells

  Unplanned water from legacy wells can create costly and complex challenges, as our customer experienced firsthand. While Plug and Abandonment is commonly associated with oil and gas wells, corporate facilities, municipalities and industrial sites also encounter aging or problematic wells that require specialized solutions. 

  Plants & Goodwin brings decades of expertise in well management and decommissioning, delivering efficient, environmentally responsible solutions that help companies minimize risks, reduce costs and ensure long-term compliance.

  Custom Well Solutions for Any Industry

  No two well management challenges are the same. Whether addressing high-production artesian wells or decommissioning industrial sites, Plants & Goodwin provides efficient, environmentally responsible solutions that help companies minimize risks and control costs.