Comparison of Well Water Rehabilitation Methods
| Method | Use | Pros | Cons |
| Aqua Freed® CO2 Injection | The controlled injection of liquified and gaseous Carbon Dioxide is introduced into the well under confined conditions to remove mineral incrustation (iron, manganese and calcium), as well as iron related, sulfate reducing and slime forming bacteria and physical plugging from silts, sands and clays. | Effective at removing mineral incrustation, biological fouling and physical plugging in both open hole and screened wells with a wide variety of construction characteristics and materials. Extensive geological formation penetration. 100% Green and environmentally sound with no adverse chemical waste stream | None |
| Traditional Chemical and Acid cleaning used in conjunction with pumping/surging | Chemical solutions (Phosphoric, sulfamic, citric, hydrochloric, hydroxyacetic etc.) and chemicals to remove specific types of mineral incrustation, biological fouling and physical plugging from silts, sands and clays | Effective at dissolving minerals and impacting biological activity and physical plugging (silts, sands, clay) | Chemical solution must be tailored specifically for plugging problem to be effective. Limited geological formation penetration. Produces a waste stream of spent chemicals and acids that must be neutralized and disposed of properly which can drive up costs |
| Wire Charge Methods Sonar-Jet, Shock Blasting, Prima Cord, etc. |
Relies on the sudden release of explosive charge to create a percussive wave | Effective at removing mineral scale from well screens. Not considered a thorough rehabilitation technique. Can be useful as a pretreatment for a chemical or Aqua Freed treatment | Very limited penetration into the formation. Not effective on Biofouling or physical plugging |
| Fluid Percussive Methods Airburst, Airshock, Nitrogen Shock |
Relies on the sudden release of nitrogen or air from down hole tools or guns into a well to create a percussive wave for the removal of mineral incrustation. | Effective at removing mineral scale from well screens. Not considered a thorough rehabilitation technique. Can be useful as a pretreatment for a chemical or Aqua Freed treatment | Very limited penetration into the formation. Not effective on Biofouling or physical plugging |
| Hydro Fracturing | Relies on the use of high pressure water injection. | Useful in low flow fractured well formations to improve production primarily on small residential wells. | Not effective in screened wells. Requires the use of high pressure water (up to 2800 PSI) to force water where water is not freely flowing. Source water quality not verified |
| Jetting | Uses high pressure water with either fixed or rotating jetting nozzles at varying pressures of up to 18,000 PSI | Effective at removing mineral incrustation from well screens | Historically limited penetration into the surrounding formation. With the higher pressure jetting the risk of well damage is greatly increased. |
| Blended Chemical Heat Treatment | Not wide enough use to be considered. |
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