Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2016/06/08) */
[redacted]
We were hired by [redacted] in July 2015 to deepen her well at...
[redacted]
We had quoted her $ [redacted] to deepen the well 200ft and install the associated upgraded pumping equipment. We had quoted her an additional $[redacted] to conduct a hydro fracture process on the well if required.
Originally we had quoted to drill only 150ft deeper on June 17th 2015 however at 420ft it was evident there was not sufficient water to support residential demand so we sent a revised price to go to 470ft on July 21st including a provision for a hydrofracture if required for $[redacted] + tax. [redacted] agreed to this so we proceeded with the work.
At 470ft we were on par with the rest of the wells in the area so we felt this should be sufficient especially after the hydro fracture process and did not feel it was responsible to advise the customer to spend more money to drill deeper at that time.
Once we reached 470ft and there was still not sufficient water supply we hydro fractured the well free of charge. We also replaced the pump for a fraction of the cost originally quoted as we took the 3/4hp that was existing in her well on trade - we had installed that pump the year prior.
We acknowledge we have returned 3 times due to the well not producing sufficient water to sustain the customers demand.
The first occasion was to replace a section of pipe which had burst. This was caused by water in the well being drawn down to excessive levels and causing a pressure differential in the pipe that exceeded it's rated burst pressure. This happens near the pump where heat is generated by the motor and is common in deep low flow wells. There was no charge for this.
The second occasion was to replace the pump which had prematurely failed. More than likely due to running dry. This was completed under warranty and as such no bill was issued.
the third time we simply had to flip the pressure switch to re-activate the pump after the well had run dry and put the pump in protection mode. There was no charge for this and the customer was advised how to do this by herself in the future.
It is unfortunate that the water level in this area is so low and the geology intersected by our borehole is not providing sufficient flow to the well. Unfortunately this is not something that we can predict or control. It is for this exact reason that our quotes clearly state we are not responsible for the quantity or quality of water available in the formation. [redacted]
We would be more than happy to re-mobilize waiving the typical $[redacted] mobilization and set-up fee to deepen the well an additional 200ft at the standard $[redacted] /ft rate. As the static water level is over 200ft I feel this is the only suitable option. It may require additional pump, pipe and wire upgrades to deal with the increased depth and length of wire. I would estimate these costs to be close to $[redacted] Drilling + $[redacted] pump upgrade. We can provide a formal quote if the customer wishes. These are costs that would have been incurred had we continued to deepen the well on July 21st.
We would also be happy to repeat the hydrofrac process for the customer at the original quoted$ [redacted] that we never charged even though the standard cost for this process is $[redacted]. It should be noted that I do not recommend this option as we have already completed it once and it has not been successful. The depth we set the packer the last time was 120ft and we applied pressure in excess of 1200psi over the entire length of the bore between 120ft and 470ft.
We would require payment in advance for both options as the previous account went unpaid for 90 days even though we have a 30 day standard payment term.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2016/06/09) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
After reading the response it is clear that brewsters was aware that there still wasn't sufficient water supply after the job was completed. I recently requested a well report and it stated that I was getting 2 gallons of water per min. That clearly was not the case!!
I also requested a recovery report (that they are required to do) and they can not produce one.
[redacted]
[redacted]
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2016/06/16) */
It is apparent now that the well is still not producing a sufficient quantity of water to sustain the demand.
It was NOT apparent at the time we completed the work. When we conducted a bail test on the well it was producing 2gpm. In some instances the aquifer is not able to replenish itself at the same rate it yields water initially and this is what is occurring here.
At the time we had no reason to drill deeper as the customer would be required to pay for every foot we drill so we made a decision in the best interest of all parties to stop drilling once we received what we thought was adequate flow to meet the demand.
We completed the work we were paid for to this date and have completed some of that work free of charge as a courtesy to the customer.
As stated previously drilling is billed by the linear foot and she has paid for the amount of drilling we have completed to date.
We are offering further compensation to the customer if she would like to proceed with deepening the well further as it is now apparent this is the only solution.
[redacted]
We stand by our initial resolution to complete further work on the customers property at a reduced cost. No business can be expected to work for free and this is no different. If the customer wishes she can request quotes from other companies for the work that is required and we will gladly match those prices if they are lower.
Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2016/06/08) */
[redacted]
We were hired by [redacted] in July 2015 to deepen her well at...
[redacted]
We had quoted her $ [redacted] to deepen the well 200ft and install the associated upgraded pumping equipment. We had quoted her an additional $[redacted] to conduct a hydro fracture process on the well if required.
Originally we had quoted to drill only 150ft deeper on June 17th 2015 however at 420ft it was evident there was not sufficient water to support residential demand so we sent a revised price to go to 470ft on July 21st including a provision for a hydrofracture if required for $[redacted] + tax. [redacted] agreed to this so we proceeded with the work.
At 470ft we were on par with the rest of the wells in the area so we felt this should be sufficient especially after the hydro fracture process and did not feel it was responsible to advise the customer to spend more money to drill deeper at that time.
Once we reached 470ft and there was still not sufficient water supply we hydro fractured the well free of charge. We also replaced the pump for a fraction of the cost originally quoted as we took the 3/4hp that was existing in her well on trade - we had installed that pump the year prior.
We acknowledge we have returned 3 times due to the well not producing sufficient water to sustain the customers demand.
The first occasion was to replace a section of pipe which had burst. This was caused by water in the well being drawn down to excessive levels and causing a pressure differential in the pipe that exceeded it's rated burst pressure. This happens near the pump where heat is generated by the motor and is common in deep low flow wells. There was no charge for this.
The second occasion was to replace the pump which had prematurely failed. More than likely due to running dry. This was completed under warranty and as such no bill was issued.
the third time we simply had to flip the pressure switch to re-activate the pump after the well had run dry and put the pump in protection mode. There was no charge for this and the customer was advised how to do this by herself in the future.
It is unfortunate that the water level in this area is so low and the geology intersected by our borehole is not providing sufficient flow to the well. Unfortunately this is not something that we can predict or control. It is for this exact reason that our quotes clearly state we are not responsible for the quantity or quality of water available in the formation. [redacted]
We would be more than happy to re-mobilize waiving the typical $[redacted] mobilization and set-up fee to deepen the well an additional 200ft at the standard $[redacted] /ft rate. As the static water level is over 200ft I feel this is the only suitable option. It may require additional pump, pipe and wire upgrades to deal with the increased depth and length of wire. I would estimate these costs to be close to $[redacted] Drilling + $[redacted] pump upgrade. We can provide a formal quote if the customer wishes. These are costs that would have been incurred had we continued to deepen the well on July 21st.
We would also be happy to repeat the hydrofrac process for the customer at the original quoted$ [redacted] that we never charged even though the standard cost for this process is $[redacted]. It should be noted that I do not recommend this option as we have already completed it once and it has not been successful. The depth we set the packer the last time was 120ft and we applied pressure in excess of 1200psi over the entire length of the bore between 120ft and 470ft.
We would require payment in advance for both options as the previous account went unpaid for 90 days even though we have a 30 day standard payment term.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2016/06/09) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
After reading the response it is clear that brewsters was aware that there still wasn't sufficient water supply after the job was completed. I recently requested a well report and it stated that I was getting 2 gallons of water per min. That clearly was not the case!!
I also requested a recovery report (that they are required to do) and they can not produce one.
[redacted]
[redacted]
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2016/06/16) */
It is apparent now that the well is still not producing a sufficient quantity of water to sustain the demand.
It was NOT apparent at the time we completed the work. When we conducted a bail test on the well it was producing 2gpm. In some instances the aquifer is not able to replenish itself at the same rate it yields water initially and this is what is occurring here.
At the time we had no reason to drill deeper as the customer would be required to pay for every foot we drill so we made a decision in the best interest of all parties to stop drilling once we received what we thought was adequate flow to meet the demand.
We completed the work we were paid for to this date and have completed some of that work free of charge as a courtesy to the customer.
As stated previously drilling is billed by the linear foot and she has paid for the amount of drilling we have completed to date.
We are offering further compensation to the customer if she would like to proceed with deepening the well further as it is now apparent this is the only solution.
[redacted]
We stand by our initial resolution to complete further work on the customers property at a reduced cost. No business can be expected to work for free and this is no different. If the customer wishes she can request quotes from other companies for the work that is required and we will gladly match those prices if they are lower.