IAmATeaf
Known around here
In the UK and not that big of an exercise but I had something similar done outside my house and when I asked they said they were looking or detecting any potential water movement/flow ie checking for leaks.
What Are They Doing
- Thread starter robpur
- Start date
My not-so-important vote is for something environmental, looking for contaminants in an aquifer, maybe a nearby gas station recently had an underground tank or line issue.
Maybe they're in the street for 1 of 2 reasons: 1) that's the best location to locate the aquifer or 2) it's easier/quicker to get a municipal permit for the roadway and/or right-of-way than seek to obtain an encroachment permit on private property.
@robpur , did you see latex color spray paint markings on the pavement where local utilities (water, power, gas, sewer, telephone, etc.) have marked their underground stuff at least 48 hours prior to them drilling? It's a state law in most states, sure is in nearby CA, with stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance.
www.utc.wa.gov
Maybe they're in the street for 1 of 2 reasons: 1) that's the best location to locate the aquifer or 2) it's easier/quicker to get a municipal permit for the roadway and/or right-of-way than seek to obtain an encroachment permit on private property.
@robpur , did you see latex color spray paint markings on the pavement where local utilities (water, power, gas, sewer, telephone, etc.) have marked their underground stuff at least 48 hours prior to them drilling? It's a state law in most states, sure is in nearby CA, with stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance.
Call Before You Dig
Preventing Underground Utility Damage The only way you can be sure that you are digging safely is to Call 811 Before You Dig, and request a FREE underground utility locate. How to Request a Locate At least two business days before you plan on digging: Call 811, or go to Call Before You Dig. Be...
CanCuba
Known around here
Or one of those Elon Musk tunnels!
That's my not-so-important vote too. This almost certainly the purpose of drilling a well in that location.
When we use the word aquifer in this case we are talking about a surficial aquifer or unconfined aquifer:
If there is a confined aquifer in this location, permission would never be given to penetrate the confining bed, because any containment spill - like an accident with a tanker transporting gasoline -
would have a straight conduit into the confined aquifer. In fact, the states of Florida, Texas, and California have spent millions on wellhead protection and plugging legacy wells that penetrate
some of the world's most import confined aquifers: The Floridan Aquifer, The Edwards Aquifer, and The Great Valley Basin Aquifer.
Lastly, and I will shut up, soil sampling is almost always done with an auger which brings the soil up out of the bore at a knowable depth. And since one of things you usually
want to consider with a soil sample is pH, it would be counterproductive to add the aqueous drilling mud you see in the video, which is typically mildly caustic (sometimes highly acidic).
And again, since this is all speculation on my part, I will close my piehole. Excellent discussion though!
robpur
Getting comfortable
Perhaps Holt didn't get that memo since they have moved on from my place and last night they drilled through the paved shoulder of the highway about 150 to 200 feet from the first hole, and they are working in the area again tonight.I can't think of a good reason to drill through a street to measure or monitor any of them. (I am frequently wrong, however
- just ask my wife...)
@robpur, you might just call Holt and ask them about the drilling at that location: Drilling Done Right on the West Coast | Holt Services, Inc.
I believe that as you and others have suggested that they are likely doing a geological survey, but I don't yet know the specific reason.
robpur
Getting comfortable
There's paint on the ground all over the place. It started showing up a couple of months ago. There has also been surveyors around since spring. They have been working for miles in both directions on the highway.
goneracin
Getting comfortable
CanCuba
Known around here
There's also the theory that he was put in the trunk of a car which was then crushed and sent overseas to be used as scrap. Maybe somebody is still driving the Toyota with his DNA in it! lol
robpur
Getting comfortable
The hole has been capped with a plate that says Monitor Well.
I guess that they will be monitoring what your cams are up to!
robpur
Getting comfortable
Actually, my cam will be monitoring what they do with the hole
Boy, I wonder if THAT comes up in one of @Arjun 's searches!Actually, my cam will be monitoring what they do with the hole
robpur
Getting comfortable
I found out that the wells being drilled in my area are to monitor the watershed health. They will monitor water levels and flow rates as well as contaminants. The data is being used for watershed planning and restoration. It is part of the Clean Water Act and general restoration of the area. They have also been replacing culverts in the area that run under the highway to help restore fish migrations.
The area where I live was abused in the past by the logging industry and other businesses, which caused flooding and environmental damage. Over the last 25 years or so I have seen a lot of improvements due to restoration projects. The wells and the culvert replacements are just another step toward better health of the area.
The area where I live was abused in the past by the logging industry and other businesses, which caused flooding and environmental damage. Over the last 25 years or so I have seen a lot of improvements due to restoration projects. The wells and the culvert replacements are just another step toward better health of the area.
That's pretty much what I surmised in my first post....after living in Silicon Valley for 29 years I saw my share of such activity, and as a member of Underground Service Alert I responded dozens of times to use a locator and spray paint to mark underground traffic signal and street lighting conductors belonging to city or county.
robpur
Getting comfortable
They returned last night and drilled another well just across the highway from the first one.
You do realize that this is how it always starts, right?
robpur
Getting comfortable
Sure, I know. They drill holes, drop their eggs in, and then the eggs become large, orange and barrel shaped pods that rise to the surface. The pods hatch to reveal pod people with brightly colored reflective vests that drill more holes and deposit more eggs to keep the cycle going. When the population of pod people becomes too large in an area some of the pod people are transported to a new location in trucks with flashing lights to form a new colony. Sometimes new colonies, especially when being relocated to an area with underground tunnels, become C.H.U.D.
goneracin
Getting comfortable
holy shit
i havent heard a chud reference in years
an old band mate from the 80's was a huge fan of that movie
he was always quoting it
he died about 3 years ago, so this made me smile