Reliable water supply begins with understanding the aquifer. Souder, Miller & Associates (SMA) provides water supply well siting, hydrogeologic evaluation, design, logging, testing, and completion support for public, private, tribal, agricultural, industrial, and institutional clients throughout the Mountain West. Our team helps clients identify viable groundwater sources, evaluate production capacity and water quality, comply with state and local requirements, and develop wells that provide a long-term water supply while minimizing maintenance requirements and cost.

SMA supports projects ranging from small domestic, commercial, and stock water wells to high-capacity municipal, industrial, and agricultural production wells. Our experience includes artesian and unconfined aquifers, fractured hard-rock systems, and unconsolidated sediment aquifers, with well depths ranging from tens of feet to more than 4,000 feet and production capacities ranging from less than 10 gallons per minute to more than 1,000 gallons per minute. Whether the project involves a new water source, replacement well, supplemental supply, or evaluation of an existing well field, SMA provides practical technical guidance from initial planning through well completion.

Hydrogeologic Evaluation and Well Siting

SMA evaluates geologic, hydrologic, regulatory, and site-specific factors to help identify suitable well locations.

Our hydrogeologic services may include:

  • Review of existing well records
  • Geologic mapping
  • Aquifer data evaluation
  • Water rights information
  • Nearby production history
  • Water quality records
  • Assessment of site constraints such as access, utilities, flood risk, land ownership, and proximity to potential contamination sources

Based on this information, SMA develops siting recommendations that consider both the likelihood of obtaining a sustainable yield and the practical requirements for permitting, construction, operation, and future maintenance.

For larger or more complex projects, SMA can prepare hydrogeologic reports to:

  • Characterize aquifer conditions
  • Document anticipated drilling conditions
  • Identify target production zones
  • Evaluate potential groundwater quality issues
  • Support regulatory submittals
  • Assist with funding applications
  • Support owner decision-making

Well Design, Permitting, and Regulatory Support

SMA prepares well designs that are tailored to the intended use, anticipated aquifer conditions, water quality objectives, and applicable state and local regulations.

Services may include:

  • Selection of the appropriate drilling method (air rotary, mud rotary, reverse mud rotary, etc.)
  • Development of technical specifications
  • Well construction details
  • Casing and screen recommendations
  • Gravel pack and seal requirements
  • Sanitary protection measures
  • Testing protocols
  • Completion criteria

Drilling and construction are performed by licensed drilling contractors, with SMA providing professional oversight, technical direction, and coordination on behalf of the owner.

SMA also assists clients with regulatory coordination and documentation associated with well permitting, construction, testing, and reporting. Requirements vary by state, locality, water use, and project type, and SMA helps clients navigate those requirements so that the completed well is properly documented and suitable for its intended purpose.

Field Logging, Testing, and Completion Support

During drilling and construction, SMA can provide field observation, lithologic logging, review of drilling conditions, and coordination with the driller to help confirm aquifer intervals, adjust construction details when warranted, and document subsurface conditions.

Field services may include:

  • Review of drill cuttings
  • Monitoring drilling rates
  • Identification of water-bearing zones
  • Measurement of static and pumping water levels
  • Observation of well development progress
  • Review of geophysical logs
  • Documentation of subsurface conditions relevant to final well completion

SMA can also develop and oversee well testing programs to evaluate production capacity and water quality.

Testing services may include:

  • Step-drawdown tests
  • Constant-rate pumping tests
  • Recovery monitoring
  • Specific capacity evaluation
  • Sampling for drinking water or process water parameters
  • Review of results to support pump selection, treatment needs, and long-term operation

Following completion, SMA can prepare well completion summaries and hydrogeologic reports documenting construction, geology, aquifer response, production capacity, and recommended operating parameters.

Pump Selection and Production Planning

A successful well must be matched with the right pumping system. SMA can evaluate well yield, drawdown, total dynamic head, water level variability, storage needs, and system demands to specify pumps and related equipment for production wells.

Pump recommendations may consider:

  • Anticipated flow range
  • Efficiency
  • Redundancy
  • Controls
  • Maintenance access
  • Integration with storage or distribution systems

For municipal, commercial, agricultural, and industrial users, SMA can help align well production with daily demand, peak demand, fire flow considerations, treatment requirements, and operational constraints.

Existing Well Evaluation and Rehabilitation

SMA assists with the evaluation of existing water supply wells, working closely with drillers, pump contractors, and system operators to identify performance issues, conduct down-hole investigations, and develop rehabilitation programs that improve well performance, extend well life, and address water quality concerns.

Common causes of declining well performance include:

  • Mineral encrustation
  • Biofouling
  • Sediment intrusion
  • Casing or screen deterioration
  • Aquifer changes
  • Inadequate well development
  • Changes in operating conditions

SMA evaluates available information such as:

  • Production history
  • Static and pumping water levels
  • Pump test results
  • Water quality data
  • Video logs
  • Maintenance records

SMA can also evaluate pumps operating outside their intended performance curve due to:

  • Changes in total dynamic head
  • Declining water levels
  • Increased friction losses
  • Worn impellers
  • Motor issues
  • Other mechanical conditions

Based on the findings, SMA can develop rehabilitation recommendations, pumping modifications, redevelopment procedures, cleaning or disinfection approaches, and long-term monitoring strategies to support reliable well operation.

Ancillary Water System Services

SMA’s well services can be integrated with broader water system planning, design, and operation support.

Additional services include:

  • Water treatment evaluation and design
  • Chlorination and disinfection systems
  • Water storage
  • Distribution piping
  • Pump house design
  • Electrical and controls coordination
  • SCADA integration

These services allow clients to move from a completed well to a functional water supply system that can be monitored, controlled, disinfected, stored, and delivered efficiently.

For clients with existing infrastructure, SMA can evaluate how a new or rehabilitated well will connect to:

  • Treatment facilities
  • Storage tanks
  • Booster stations
  • Distribution networks
  • Remote monitoring systems

This integrated approach helps reduce coordination gaps, supports regulatory compliance, and provides owners with a water supply system designed for reliability, maintainability, and future expansion.

Serving the Mountain West

Groundwater conditions in the Mountain West can vary significantly over short distances, from shallow alluvial aquifers to deep basin-fill systems, fractured bedrock, artesian formations, and isolated local aquifers. SMA brings regional experience and practical engineering judgment to help clients evaluate these conditions and make informed water supply decisions.

Our team understands that each well must be designed not only for the aquifer, but also for the owner’s operational needs, regulatory obligations, budget, and long-term water supply goals.

From early feasibility review through hydrogeologic reporting, design, drilling oversight, testing, pump specification, and integration with water system infrastructure, SMA provides comprehensive support for groundwater supply projects across the Mountain West. For more information, contact waterwells@soudermiller.com.