07/31/2026
The August 2026 issue of the National Ground Water Association's Water Well Journal contains a pair of feature articles as well as multiple columns on a variety of topics.
The issue is led off with the latest WWJ Q&A. WWJ Editor Thad Plumley caught up with Steve Anderson, the president of Merrill Manufacturing Co. Their discussion covered a variety of topics including system failures, using lightning arrestors, and industry best practices.
Anderson leads off the interview by saying, “Most failures aren’t mysterious. They’re preventable.” He adds that, “A lot of components fail . . . because they’re misapplied, undersized, or never properly checked after installation” while also pointing out, “many of these failures are easy to prevent if contractors follow a few consistent best practices and take the time to verify the fundamentals.”
The second feature article in the August issue is “The Hydraulic Handshake” by Jason Burger. It details why system performance in a water well system depends on a “hydraulic handshake” between the well, pump, and treatment equipment specialists.
Burger explains that evaluating total dynamic head, verifying performance under load, and coordination among water well drillers, pump installers, and water treatment professionals are critical to the long-term success of water well systems. Successful systems require three handshakes: proper design, troubleshooting existing systems, and final verification to ensure reliable long-term operation.
The latest installment of the Hole Story column by Todd Tannehill is titled “Playing Telephone with Continuing Education.” He writes that the drilling industry often mirrors the childhood game of “Telephone,” where information passed from person to person becomes distorted—or remains unchanged despite advances in knowledge.
Tannehill states that many drilling methods are inherited from previous generations, sometimes predating modern drilling fluids, equipment, safety standards, and formal education programs. While experience is valuable, relying solely on tradition can lead to outdated practices.
Continuing education, industry conferences, and trusted technical sources help professionals stay current. As technology, regulations, and products evolve, water well drillers must continually learn, adapt, and challenge long-held assumptions to remain effective and relevant and provide the best water systems possible for their customers.
The Quick Hits column by Edd Schofield begins a two-part series on well disinfection and is titled “The Misunderstandings of Chlorine in Well Disinfection.” Schofield points out using more chlorine does not improve well disinfection and often makes treatment less effective.
He notes excessive concentrations quickly oxidize the outer biofilm layer, preventing deeper pe*******on and allowing bacteria to survive. Instead, 100 to 300 ppm of chlorine with longer contact time, agitation, and regular residual monitoring provides better results.
Severely fouled wells should first undergo rehabilitation using acids and biocides to remove mineral scale and biofilm, with chlorination used as the final disinfecting step. Successful well restoration depends on a comprehensive rehabilitation program, Schofield states, not shock chlorination alone.
To read these articles and more, visit WaterWellJournal.com.
