A well development process that involves injecting water under high pressure into a bedrock well is called hydrofracturing. This procedure is intended to increase the size of existing bedrock fractures. The process is used to increase well yields of both new and existing wells where a larger flow of water is desired.

Originally developed in the oil industry to increase volume of oil wells, hydrofracturing is fairly new to the water well drilling industry. An older method of attempting to increase water yield was by blasting with dynamite. This sometimes collapsed the well. Hydrofracturing is currently the preferred method that many contractors consider a safer, more controlled way to increase the yield of a water well.

If successful, the pressure from the injected water will rise to a maximum level as the bedrock in the well resists the introduction of the pressurized water. Then the pressure will suddenly drop off and stabilize at a lower pressure. The drop in pressure is the sign to an experienced well driller that the bedrock fissures have been increased in size and are now accepting water.

When hydrofracturing is successful, well yields can increase in the range of moderate to significant. A typical water yield increase is usually 1/2 to 5 gallons per minute. Sometimes, due to geologic conditions, hydrofracturing will not increase your well water’s flow. There is no guarantee of the quality or quantity of water below the ground.

At Tasker’s Well Company, we have a 97% success rate in increasing well yields using the hydrofracturing process. We consider that a great track record.

For more in depth information on the hydrofracturing process, please visit the NH Department of Environmental Services.