Ground water is created by rainfall and surface water that penetrates the ground. In the East Anglian and East Midlands region 50% of our water is obtained from underground reservoirs called aquifers. The remainder is from surface reservoirs and rivers.

Water is stored in underground aquifers of gravel / sandstone / chalk and limestone which can be found at differing levels and between non-permeable layers. Groundwater is typically of excellent quality but does vary depending on the hydrogeology and mineralogy of the aquifer.

• Reservoir storage
• Agriculture
• Irrigation
• Domestic
• Commercial and Industrial water supply

Groundwater Abstraction – Borehole Drilling and Borehole Pumps

A drilled well usually consists of a hole drilled to a depth where a water-bearing stratum (aquifer) is reached and lined with steel or PVC casing. If the aquifer supplies ample clean water, a screen surrounded by a gravel pack is installed.

The pumped water is filtered by the gravel pack. Drilled wells can be developed in soil, gravel or solid rock, as special well drilling machines are available for different underground formations.

It is advisable to provide a cement seal between the casing and the strata at the top of the borehole to
prevent surface water from entering the borehole.

When the groundwater level is below the surface by more than 6-7 metres, a submersible borehole pump is suitable for the majority of wells.

The electro-submersible borehole pumping unit consists of an electric motor which is designed to operate underwater, the internals being filled with water for lubrication and cooling purposes.

This arrangement prevents any contamination of the pumped liquid. The motor is close coupled to a multi-stage pump which discharges in the rising main at the head and flow required.

One of the key advantages of a submersible unit is that it requires very little surface equipment and if applied correctly will operate satisfactorily and un-obtrusively for many years without need for great attention.

They can be supplied suitable for single phase (standard U.K domestic voltage) or three phase (standard on higher power rated motors for commercial / industrial and utility use).

At Panks Engineers we have the capability to drill boreholes, supply and install submersible pumps and make a full assessment of your groundwater requirements.

We have hydro-geological knowledge of the Anglian region dating back well over 100 years. We are a member of the Well Drillers Association and can provide a complete solution from abstraction to delivery.

Existing Boreholes / Wells

If you have an existing borehole or well and are unsure of its capacity or in fact its ability to yield water has fallen off of late then you can contact us to supply a test pump and/or make an analysis of your requirements.

Regular checks are necessary to ensure that you are achieving the best performance possible from your groundwater source and your pump.

At Panks Engineers we are able to provide annual check ups and reports which assess the state of your supply and your pump.

The Cost of Pumping - Maintenance / Repair / Service

The cost of pumping also depends on the way the pumping system is operated.

If, for instance, a too large pump is chosen for the installation or if operating conditions change over time, it is easy to over pump the well, i.e. have a too large draw down which will result in relatively large power consumption for pumping a relatively small amount of water to the surface.

In theory, maintenance costs should be zero as parts like bearings and seal rings are water lubricated and as long as there is water there is no wear.

In practice, however, we see erosion, corrosion and encrustation of ochre; factors which all influence the performance in a negative manner.

The cost of pumping depends not only on the pump itself, but also on the design of the installation and the conditions.

An often overlooked factor is the selection of cables, riser pipe work and starter panel.

Borehole Pumps

Sampling pumps from 2” in diameter and in inert material construction.

Domestic pumps for local water supplies in 3” and 4” diameter in stainless steel construction.

Commercial / Industrial and water utility pumps available from 6” upwards in cast iron, bronze or stainless steel construction.

Flow ranges and head capacities to suit your requirements.

The consequences of getting it wrong could be...

• Cost for pulling up and re-installation
• Repair cost
• Spare parts cost
• Downtime cost

However do not despair we can manage your repairs and service requirements from our workshop facility in Heigham Street Norwich. Each unit will be hydraulically tested to ensure it can operate satisfactorily prior to re-installing.