What Is a Fractured Water Well?

Construction of Fractured Water Wells

• A fractured water well is set deep in the bedrock. The well relies on natural cracks within the bedrock to transmit water into the borehole for extraction. New wells that have a low yield or old wells that have a decreased water yield are candidates for hydrofracturing. The high-pressure water creates larger cracks within the bedrock allowing a larger area for water to flow through to reach the well. The process of fracturing any type of well is governed by federal and state agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental and water bureaus.

Fracturing Method for Water Wells

• Hydrofracturing is the most common method used in fracturing, as of the date of publication. To control the locations of the fractures, workers will install packers in the borehole to isolate the area for the fractures. The packers fit inside the well and contain the water as it pumps into the borehole. Workers install the packers at least 60 feet below land surface and 40 feet below the well casing to ensure that the upper portion of the well does not sustain damage during the fracturing process. The well workers pump water through the packers at high pressure and monitor the pressure within the well. A pressure drop indicates a fracture creation or enlargement within the bedrock and that water is entering the rock. The water pumps into the rock up to 30 additional minutes to ensure that the fractures within the bedrock are sufficient.

Benefits of Fracturing Water Wells

• Hydrofracturing will often increase the yield of water well. In some cases, an increase between one-half and 5 gallons per minute is achievable. While hydrofracturing is not effective for all bedrock formations, workers continue to use this method because the application often produces positive results. Wells in low yield bedrock may see benefits from hydrofracturing shortly after construction of the well. Other wells that produce sufficient water after installation may find that the yield decreases with time due to silt building up within the cracks.

Fracturing Liabilities

• Fracturing of shale in the production of natural gas has generated controversy. In natural gas production, the fracturing liquid might consist of water, sand and other chemicals, which is different from the hydrofracturing that uses only water. As of the date of publication, the EPA is determining whether a link exists between the fractures of shale for natural gas and adverse effects on nearby drinking water wells.