Terminology

TERMINOLOGY

Terms:

Aquifer

An aquifer is a geological formation or group of formations, or a part of a formation that is capable of yielding or receiving a significant amount of water.

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)

ASR is a water management technique by which water is placed through wells into a suitable aquifer during periods of excess water (wet and/or winter season) for later recovery and use during periods of deficits (dry and/or summer season). Public water supply systems traditionally use ASR to store "potable" water for later recovery and use during periods of peak demands, emergencies, or for long term storage (water banking). ASR technology may be considered to store excess wet season surface water for later recovery during the dry season. However, regulatory constraints may determine the acceptability of any proposal to store surface water in ASR wells for later retrieval.

Air-Entrainment

Air Entrainment is situation where air is mixed with water due to cascading. This happens during every startup of a recharge well. Causes air fouling, accelerates bio-fouling and calcite formation.

Air-Fouling

A condition when air bubbles form around sand/gravel particles. This reduces the permeability of the aquifer thereby reducing the ability to pump or recharge water.

Bio-Fouling

A condition that occurs or is accelerated in a well due to the introduction of water of a different chemical composition that the water in the aquifer. This condition is accelerated by cascading water due to the increase in dissolved oxygen.

Cascading Water

A condition that forms in a recharge well due to improper design of a system, allowing recharge water to free fall. This is the same condition as observed in a water fall.

Calcite-Formation

A condition that forms on the well screen and sand particles during repeated startup of a recharge well.

This may be observed in caves in the form of stalactites and stalagmites.

Drop Pipe

At times called a column pipe in a production well.

Dynamic Water Level

A water level established above the static water during recharging.

Eductor Pipe

A small version of a drop pipe, usually used without a down hole flow control valve. Several of these units may be used along side a pump and column pipe for water injection. Air-entrainment is a continuing problem in the smaller diameter drop pipes.

Power Unit

An electrically driven unit in conjunction with a solenoid control valve that provides adequate hydraulic pressure, control and volume to actuate and position a hydraulic cylinder as used with the VoV and VoSMART Valve.

Static Water Level

A condition in an aquifer before pumping or recharge. During pumping a cone of depression forms around the well. During recharge mounding forms around the well.

VoV & VoSMART (V-SMART) Valve

A key down hole element, in a recharge well, to provide near linear flow control and eliminate air entrainment and it's undesirable side effects.

U.S. Patents #5,503,363, #5,618,022, #5,871,200, #6,073,906 and

#6,338,466, Canada Patent #2,293,391,

Australian #748767

Plus 23 International Patents Pending.