O'Donnell & Associates, Inc. " Putting geology to work for you." What's New At O'Donnell & Associates, Inc.

August 29, 2024  No more buying Water!

Got word that a project that started back in 2016 with a request from a troubled Clarke County water system for OAI's help in finding them a reliable source of water so they would not have to rely on a neighboring system for their water supply.  Our first suggestion was to complete a hydrogeologic sudy to identify area aquifers with the potential to be developed as a source of public supply.  With contract in hand, OAI used area well reports and e-logs of petroleum tests to complete a report that identified two area aquifers.  The fisrt test bore, drilled at a recommended location, found the deeper aquifer present at the mapped depth and thickness.  A test well was drilled and found the aquifer to be prolific but the aquifer's water was more brackish than originally estimated.  OAI recommended completion of the test well as a production well with RO treatment.  After several delays due to COVId and the passing of the system's engineer, Mr. Walter Scott, PE, the original test well was developed as a public supply well with an RO plant to treat the produced water.  The system, CWM Water, now has a strong source with excellent distributed water that they control.   CWM, thanks for your trust in O'Donnell & Associates to address and ultimately solve your drinking water needs.

August 5, 2024 Mr. Russell Heidelburg

I learned over the weekend that Mr. Heidleburg passed away.  I have known and worked with Mr. Heidleburg since 2015 when I receive a call from him to discuss helping his water system, The Water and Sewer Board of the City of Prichard, explore the potential of developing it's own water supply.  Over the past nine years, I found him to be of exceptional character and integrity and never one to quit trying to do the best for his system.  I attended board meetings where I witnessed his patience in the face of malicious accusations.  Through it all, he always kept a positive out look and pressed on.  Over the years, we sat and talked over coffee-he like a lot of sugar in his coffee-and laughed together at the stories he could tell.  He was a master at story telling and the advice he shared with me was gold.  Whatever the future brings to his water system, I'll always remember Mr. Heidelburg as the man who honestly worked hard day in and day out and did the right thing at all times.  Mr. Heidelburg, the indusrty has lost a leader.  May you rest in peace. I will miss you.  To your family, you are in my prayers.

 

June 25, 2024
Received word today that my friend Paul Darnell, PE passed away after battling cancer.  OAI worked with Paul on several public water supply well projects over the past 25 years.  He was one of those engineers with experience in groundwater supply development that actually knew what he was doing.  He will be missed in the business.  Rest in peace Paul.

April 18, 2024

OAI welcomes Satusuma Water & Sewer and its Director Chandler Roley as our 60th public water supply client.  We look forward to working with you.

April 11, 2024

OAI recieved a contract today with Onsyte Performance LLC and John Pierson, PE for permitting services associated with a de-centralized domestic wastewater treatment facility. 

January 16, 2024

An industrial supply well for a confidential client was completed today.  The well will be used for cooling water and off set purchased water costs.  This well, out sixth in the area, is located in an area that was written off "by the experts" as not having the potential to develop groundwater sources of supply.  

December 31, 2023

Once again, Nell and I would like to thank all our clients who have placed their trustin on our company.  We appreciate you business.

November 2023

Data loggers in observation wells at five public supplu wellsites were download this month.  The data recorded by the loggers was evaluated and reports issued.  To date, the aquifers supplying eight public supply wells at thses sites are not being over produced and have the potential to supply additional wells saving thse systems tens of thousands of dollars or more in years to come as they plan futhere wells.  Call today to initiate a cost effective groundwater monitoring program at your wellsites. 

October 25, 2023

OAI completed a cursory review of a potential wellsite for a rural system client.  The review identified two potential aquifers and presented a drilling depth to allow them to be evaluated.  The report also pointed out the deeper aquifer was present at their exisiting site.

October 13, 2023

OAI awarded a contract for our 7th public supply well for Fairhope.  The well will be the fourth well a a wellfield OAI began planning for in 2003.  The well will bring site production up to a maiximum of about 3,300 gpm.

September 19, 2023

Father Charles "Chuck" McCabe died today.  Father Chuch was instrumental in my faith walk by showing me it is better listening more to God and less to myself. He got me to attend Cursillo in the Fall of 1997.  In the Palanca Room at Visitation Monestary during the Fall Cursillo in 1998, Father Chuck listened and counseled me on my career path encouraging me to pray, discern and ask God what direction I should take.  Well I did just that.  Eight months later, the answer was clear that Nell and I, in a leap of faith and with the help from familiy, opened the doors for O'Donnell & Associates, Inc.  I heard last night at his wake that if you get to heavem Jesus is going to look behind you and ask:  Who did you bring with you?  Father Chuck will have a very long line indeed.  Rest in peace brother.

                                                                        Reverend Charles "Chuck" McCabe

                                                                             Died September 19, 2023

January 25, 2024

OAI recieves a contract for our 8th public supply well for Fairhope.  The well will be an addition to Wellfield #1 bringing the maximum potential production from this four well wellfield to about 3,350 gom.  OAI's planning for this wellfield began in 1999.

September 5, 2023

OAI welcomes our 59th public water system client today.  Located in Daphne Alabama, Daphne Utilities is located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.  Welcome aboard Daphne Utilities.

August 15, 2023

Today Walter "Walt the Dog" Longmire turns two years old.  He has been and is a great little dog and always looks forward to my arival home if he's not with me at work.

August 9, 2023

Nell and I welcome our 6th grandchild today!  Lucy Monica was born at 00:09 this morning to Maggie and Sam in Leesburg, Va.  Lucy joins Irene, George and Cici.  Congratulations Maggie and Sam!

Lucy Monica O'Donnell

August 2, 2023

Groundwater level monitoring began today at Mexia Well #1.  OAI's data logger was placed in the site's observation well to evaluate water level trends and "operating" interference during normal operation of Well #1.  The observation well is located 136 feet from the production well.  Data gather from the monitoring will be compared to historic static and pumping levels in the well to evaluate the "health" of the aquifer and evaluate spacing options.   

August 1, 2023

Work began on a test bore for a new public supply well for Perdido Bay WSFP District in southeast Baldin County, see picture below.  The test bore location was identified during a hydrogeologic study OAI completed in 2019 for the system.  The target aquifer came in as expected measuring 88 feet thick.  A test well will be completed to evaluate the aquifer's water quality, obtain preliminary hydraulic data and, if the water quality is acceptable, serve as a monitoring point for water level trends after the production well is installed.

View from OAI's field office of pilot bore drilling effort

July 26, 2023

OAI welcomes Mexia Water System, Inc. as our 58th water system client and Utility Engineering Consultants, LLC as our 27th engineering firm for work on development of a new public supply well for the system.  Rod Hawkins, PE is the engineer for the project and Ariston Griffin is the system operator.  OAI met with Mr. Gerald Trawick, system President, and Rod to discuss the project and to visit potential wellsites.  We are looking forward to developing a new well for Mexia further expanding our Monroe County groundwater exploration and development work.   

June 30, 2023

OAI welcomes out 57th water system client.  Brewton Water Works was in need of updating their contaminant source inventory as part of their permit renewal process.  Working through Southern Engineering Solutions with Paul Darnell, PE,  OAI was contracted to complete the work.  If you are an Alabama public water system in need of updating your contaminant source inventory as part of your permit renewal, consider giving OAI a call or drop us an email today.  Welcome Brewton Water Works!

Brewton's ALCO Water Tower and Well

June 29, 2023

The new remote groundwater level monitoring stations are in and running.  These four systems provide up to the minute water level data from this municipal systems' three wellfields.  The data tracks the health of their aquifers over time and is used in the planning new wells.   The initial outlay for the remote systems run about $2,000 each with out year costs running about $200/yr.  Non-remote systems with yearly reports can be installed for about $1,500/year. If you are even considering a new well, OAI strongly encourages you to consider implementing a groundwater level monitoring program today.  Time and again, the information obtained from these systems has led to thousands if not hundreds of thouseand dollars in savings when searching for new wells.  Follow this link to view the data:  https://hobolink.com/p/0efe65c832e22d4940f6e034af2c5c19

April 23, 2023

As some of you know, my associate Walt enjoys traveling with me to various jobs and going with me to work.  As you can expect, that is some hard work for a pup.  So, when he gets to the office, he enjoys a nap or two.

Walter "Walt the dog" Longmire

March 8, 2023

Well #2 is in the works for an industrial supply client.  This will be the second well developed for industrial supply for this client with the produced water offsetting the cost of purchasing water from a local water system.  The first well, a 300 gpm well completed January 2016, reduced purchased water costs by up to 432,000 gallons per day.  The second well, planned for a production rate of 500+ gpm, will work to further reduce purchased water costs.  It will be the sixth well OAI has developed in the area, each of which reduced purchase water costs for our clients.

February 24, 2023

Traveled to Lafayette, LA to give a presentation at the 27th Annual Joint Engineering Societies Conference.  The presentation's intent was to provide and explain critical concepts on aquifers and the problems that can arise if these concepts are not fully understood.  The presentation was aimed at those involved in groundwater work but are not properly trained in hydrogeology. 

Spreading the knowledge in Lafayette!

February 10, 2023

OAI was invited to speak to the Board of one of our oldest clients on the dynamics of their aquifers and to explain how aquifer supplying their wells are not in danger of running out of water as they have been repeatedly told by another system's "expert".  OAI used this opportunity to explan the benefits and advantages the deep confined aquifers supplying their wells have over the shallow aquifer supplying the rival system's lake source of supply.  In addition, the ongoing groundater level monitoring program OAI implemented supports our contention that the system's aquifers are fine with no imminent signs of drying up.  For more information on OAI's groundwater level monitoring program, please see the Groundwater Monitoring tab under Research tab above.  OAI's presentation was a follow-up to an aquifer depletion study completed by OAI for the system in May 2022.  It pays to know the "health" of your aquifers.

January 27, 2023

A deep Nanafalia Aquifer test was geophysically logged today.  This test bore was located by OAI to test this regional aquifer for possible use as a source of public supply.  The aquifer was present as expected from 730 to 776 feet deep.  A test well was set and pumped to obtain water quality.  Results from the testing indicated the aquifer is very productive but will require post production treatment prior to distribution.

January 13, 2023

OAI finalized a report for the Water Works and Sewer Board for the City of Prichard today.  The report details work completed confirming the presence of the two aquifers originall identified in OAI's 2015 Hydrogeologic Study and obtained water quality data and preliminary hydraulic on the aquifer through the completion of two test wells.  This project was Step 2 of a four step program which will change this water system from a purchase system to a producing system bringing the system's water resources back under their control.   Planning for the production wells is in the works. 

December 31, 2022

Good bye to 2022 and we look forward to 2023. As always, O'Donnell & Associates, Inc. would like to thank all our clients for their continued confidence in our work.  In addition, we would welcome consider of other water systems, industries or irrigators that would benefit from our Gulf Coast experience.  God Bless, Dan and Nell

 November 29, 2022

A second test well started today on Dauphin Island to evaluate a brackish water sand aquifer.  This test well was successful in that the aquifer targeted for development has some of the best brackish water beneath the island well suited for the system's RP treatment plant.  Currently, plans are underway to develop a production well in the 400 to 600+ gpm range. Once completed, this will be the third well developed by OAI for the island. 

November 21, 2022

OAI completes a Source Water Assessment Report for Butler Utilities, our 56th public water supply client and out third water system client in Choctaw County, Alabama.  Welcome aboard Butler Utilities.

October 30, 2022

Drilling began today on a replacement well for LeMoyne Water System in Mobile County, Alabama.  The new well, Well #1A, will replace Well #1 constructed in 1972.  Fifty years of excellent production from Well #1, not bad at all.

October 3, 2022

Drilling began on a test well on Dauphin Island, located south of Mobile county.  The test well, sited by OAI, was set to explore and develop a brackish water aquifer for use, after RO treatment, as a source of public supply.  The well was unsuccessful in that the targeted aquifer's water was beyond the treatment capabilities of the RO plant. 

September 22, 2022

OAI completed a cursory review of a long time Florida water system client on the potential to offset an exisiting well with a second well in the same aquifer.  While this options was problematic due to drawdown and saltwater intrusion concerns, OAI suggest looking at a differnt aquifer at the site that has good water quality and a strong production potential.

May 29, 2022

Work began today on the third well, Well #11, in an existing two well wellfield.  The initial work on the wellfield began in 2003 when the water system was offered additional property at their exisiting wellsite.  Preliminary work included drilling a test bore to evaluate the aquifer Well #3 was producing from and to check out a deeper aquifer.  The bore confirmed the presence of both aquifers and a monitoring well was completed in the shallower of the two aquifers.  Testing on Well #3, completed in the shallow aquifer, indicated minimal drawdown at the monitoring well 400 feet away.  The option to purchase the property was made at that point.  In 2008, Well #10 was completed in the shallow aquifer after several years of groundwater level monitoring indicated the aquifer could support another well.  Well #11, the third well in the aquifer and a new treatment plant designed to handle 4.54+ mgd* from the wellfield  is set for completion in the late Fall of 2023. 

*  The deeper aquifer was tested and found to have an elevated iron concentration.  Treatment options are being considered the could bring another 1,000+ gpm of production to the wellfield.

March 30, 2022

Today marks the day we wrapped up St. Elmo's fourth well.  Well #4 was the third well sited by OAI based on our mapping of aquifer in southeast Mobile County, Alabama.  Well #4 tested out at 750 gpm with a permitted production rate of 500 gpm.  Well #4 produces from a prolific Miocene age aquifer that runs across the area.  To date, OAI has located three wells for three different water systms in this aquifer along a trend over a distance of 18 miles. 

January 24, 2022

Installed OAI's first remote groundwater level monitoring station today for an industrial client.  The equipment was easy to install and set-up.  The water level is recorded every 15-minutes and is uploaded on the hour using cell technology.  The data from these stations can be set up to share via the internet-thanks Al.  The unit installed for this client includes total pressure of the submerged logger, barometric pressure and automatic compensation for determining depth to water.  While not "real time", for the cost of the system, you can't beat it's usefulness in monitoring the health of your aquifer.  Call today, 251*285*5945 to get a remote water level monitoring station installed at your facility.  The data from this monitoring effort will be used to evaluate whether or not the aquifer can support production from a second well at this site.

January14, 2022 

Got word today that the remote groundwater level monitoring sytem we ordered for an industrial client is on the way.  This sytem uses cellular transmission from the data looger in the well to the desk top in the client's office allowing "anytime" checks on water level in their well.  We plan on installing the system on the 20th.

Janaury 14, 2022

Visiting with someone today that mentioned my brother Tom taught her daughter at St. Vincent DePaul School in Theodore, Alabama a few years back.  That reminded me of the field trip I took his class on to one of our clients public supply well located just down the street from their school.  This photo, below, captures the event.

  Pictured L-R: Dan, Stephen, Tom, Well #1 and Tom's class

December 28, 2021

Thirty seven years ago today Nell and I married in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  Since then, we have lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma (a great town), Whicita Falls, Tx (a dusty town), Tulsa again, Sioux City, Iowa (another great and cold winter town) and for the past 29 years in Mobile, Alabama.  We've met a lot of good folks over the years and one or two no too good but all in all it's been good.  As we move ahead into 2022, Nell and I look forward to working with our clients, water systems, engineers and industry, to make the best of their financial resources as we research, explore, develop and managed their groundwater resources.  Thanks to all of you that have allowed O'Donnell & Associates, Inc. the priveledge of working with you.  Dan and Nell 

December 6, 2021

Prepared renewal forms for both Mississippi and Louisiana geologist registrations today.  These renewals will keep us loaded and ready for projects in these two States.  Should you have a water supply project in either of these two states, it may well be worth your time to contact OAI as you begin planning your next well.  

November 25, 2021 Thanksgiving

Daniel, Krystin, Daniel and Sam opened their Memphis home for a Thanksgiving reunion of the O'Donnells again this year.  Sam, Maggie, Irene, George and Cici came in from Virginia, Kelly came up from Montgomery and Nell and I came up from Mobile for a great family gathering.  Daniel and Krsytin were wonderful host and had photos taken of the whole family. We have much to be thankful for indeed. Front row left to right: Daniel, Sam, George, Irene.  Back row left to right: Daniel, Kyrstin,Nell, Dan,Kelly,Sam,Maggie and Cici.

November 15, 2021 Two New Public Supply Wells

Work begins on the completion phase of two new public supply wells in west Mobile County, Alabama.  The wells were sited by OAI base on our evaluation of the area's hydrogeology. Work on the installation and testing will continue through December followed by the required sourcewater work for permitting purposes.

November 1, 2021 Holy Water

OAI recieved a call from a lady in Chicago asking for help with developing a well in Mobile County.  After some discussion, OAI was informed the client was Visitation Monastery and I was asked if I was familiar with them.  I responded that that was where I discerned starting OAI in the first place back in the Fall of 1998 while working a Cursillo weekend.  Eight months later, OAI opened our door.  OAI completed a hydro review to come up with a drilling depth for the new well and the sisters were put in touch with Dallas Drilling, a very capable local well driller.  Afterwards, we met on site with the driller, selected a favorable location for the well and scheduled the installation.  Thanks Julie for contacting me from Chicago!

As things go, this is the second well project for a monastery I've done this year.  Like the Visitation well, I helped the Carmelite Sisters get a well installed to head off rising "city water costs".  I did a review of the area, provided a drilling depth to target and recommended a local driller, Dallas Drilling (the same one as I recommnded for the Visitation project).  The Carmelite sisters are very happy with their new well.

October 2, 2021 Introducing Walter "Walt" Longmire O'Donnell

Nell and I would like to introduce y'all to our new dog Walt.  We got him from a local rescue group.  Walt was rescued during Hurricane Ida (September 28th).  He was was born on August 15th to a Austrailin Cattle Dog mom and a fence hopper dad.  We were told his mom had five pups and had put them up on a box to keep them out of rising water from the storm.  He is a good helper at work but seems to nap more than the official OAI nap policy allows.

September 16, 2021

Today OAI received word that our requested for a waiver for a permit was dutifully supported with facts and accepted by ADEM.  This waiver initially saved our client upwards of $15,000 to $25,000 in expenses and years of follow-up monitoring and testing.  OAI's knowledge of coastal aquifers and our firm understanding of the specific regulation were used to support the waiver request.  

September 8, 2021

Renewed my Kentucky PG registration today.  If you are in Kentucky and are in need of quality hydrogeologic services associated with groundwater resource exploration, development or management, give OAI a call.  We are also PGs in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Our specialty is porous flow aquifers. 

August 19, 2021

Completed a 10 well contaminant inventory update for a 22 year client for their permit renewal requirement.  As part of this update, we made recommendations concerning two new gasoline stations that were built in their wells' sourcewater assessment areas.  These recommendations were followed and should hedge against potential issues resulting from improper investigations should releases occur.

August 12, 2021

Completed a modified "test well" today.  The modification involved scaling back the normal TW design from 6-inch diameter steel casing and a stainless steel screen to 4-inch diameter PVC casing and screen.  The reasoning behind OAI's recomendation was based on our knowledge of area aquifers (hydraulics and production potential).  All we needed from the TW was information on the aquifer's potentiometric surface and water quality.  The 330-foot TW was completed for a fraction of the cost of a steel well and provided the information needed to plan the full scale production well.  BTW the water quality was good as OAI expected.

July 12, 2021  New Client

Earlier this month OAI met with a potential client* to discuss thier current groundwater resources situation.  Based on this initial meeting, we recieved the go ahead to monitor water levels in an un-used area well completed in the aquifer supplying their well.  The data obtained will be used in part to: 1) evaluate current water levels verse those when the well was originally installed 2) evaluate interference effects to determine spacing for, if the data looks favorable, a new well.  

* This "potential" client, Old Line Water Authority, became our 55th public water supply client!

July 19, 2021  Farewell our good friend Jonas

Very sad day today as we had to put Jonas down.  He was a great dog who brought our family much joy over the past 13.5 years.  A beagle, blue heeler mix, he never had good vision, never learned to jump into or out of the truck or how to go up and down stairs more than one step at a time.  He also blew out both ACLs on his hind legs beating the $800 dollar fix up limit by $10 each time.  He had a hard act to follow (Kramer) but he did so wonderfully.  As the neighbor's kid said one day when I asked her if she liked Jonas-she always came over and asked to pet him-her response was "He's wonderful". And so he was.  Rest in peace buddy you are missed.

July 2, 2021 Don't forget to Update!

OAI completed the contaminant inventory update required for one of our long time clients.  If your permit is up for renewal, call us today and stay on time with your renewal process.

May 21, 2021

Completed a contaminant inventory for a new public water supply client, our 54th, for their permit renewal.  Noted five land use changes that were of not concern and identified two wells that could be potential conduits to aquifers supplying their wells. 

May 14, 2021 #25!

OAI welcomes Ardurra as our 25th teaming engineering client.  Through teaming arrangements, OAI is able to provide quality hydrogeologic services to engineering firms that may need these specialized services from time to time but not enough to support a full time position.  By teaming with OAI, these firms get the serices they need for their groundwater projects without the full time expense of an in-house hydrogeologist.  How can this teaming arrangement work for your engineering firm? 

April 12, 2021 Project #12

OAI received word today that our proposal to assist a local water system was approved.  The project, our 12th for this client, will involve expanding a wellfield from two to three wells with the added potentail of two more wells as the project moves forward.  This original project began back in 2003 when property adjacent to the well was offered to the city.  OAI recommended a pilot bore be drilled and logged on the parcel and, based on what we saw, recommended the city purchase the property.  In 2008, after a bit of study and testing, a second well was completed with a deeper aquifer identified as a potential new source.  The current project will involve testing the deeper aquifer for water quality and completing the third well in the initial aquifer.   Should the deeper aquifer prove suitable for use as a source of public supply, two production wells will be completed in it bring the wellfield total to five wells. 

April 1, 2021 Post Covid Fog

OAI recevied calls on several projects placed on hold due to Covid.  Planning resumed on one industrial supply well project, planning began on another industrial supply wellfield project, a long planned third well at an area wellfield came under contract and a cursory hydrogeologic review of an area under consideration by a long term OAI client for a new public supply client rounded out the month.  Good bye Covid!   

March 3, 2021 New Public Supply Well

Work began today acquiring background water level data and research into developing a new public supply well, the 9th OAI will have done for this client.  The project started with evaluating interference effects and reviewing area hydrogeology which resulted in siting the new well's location.  Drilling is expected to begin in June. 

February 15, 2021  New PWS Well Siting Issues

Got a call today about a potential new wellsite for a rural public water supply well.  OAI's local knowledge of the area under reviewed pointed out a favorable test location originally drilled but not tested back in 1999.  Work began on re-acquiring testing rights at this location or nearby and, once secrured, moving forward with further testing to confirm the suitability of the Nanafalia Aquifer at this site.  

February 11, 2021  Sourcewater Assessment Completed

Sent out the Sourcewater Assessment Report for a recently completed public water supply well.  The report is required as part of the permitting process for new public supply wells in Alabama.  This was OAI's first project with the utility and second teaming effort with the engineering firm.

January 28, 2021 Test Wells

OAI released another article on Test Wells today.  This was promted by driving by a test well last week.  Does your "test well program" help or condemn your groundwater project?  You need to know the answer to that question.

January 20, 2021

Working on an industrial supply project in Louisiana and have to say their SONRIS program is a tremendous tool for use in conducting hydrogeologic research.  

January 6 to 9, 2021

OAI assisted on a new public supply well's production testing.  The well was set to pump at 300 gpm and 24 hours after drawdown stabilization occurs the rate is increased to 450 gpm.  As expected, the test went off without a hitch and OAI's analysis of the test data was submitted for the well's report.  Of interest was the rise in groundwater temperature from 74 to 82 degrees F during the pumping portion of the test.  The pump was set at 490 feet, the aquifer is present at 1,100 feet and the static water level is at 300 feet. I suspect the rise reflects the difference in temperature due to increased depth.

  

December 17, 2020

Oh my, I turn 65 today.  I have no plans on retiring as I have been blessed in the work I do and hope to keep on doing it for years to come.  

December 14, 2020

Completed a screening model to assess the impact of three industrial supply wells on a regional aquifer in SW Louisiana in response to a question raised by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  This project included researching the area's aquifers, reviewing previous modeling work and then developing a screening groundwater model to show the projected drawdown from the wells' operation at various distances from the site.  The report was submitted ahead of schedule.

November 12, 2020

Got word that Mr. Braxton Platt of South Alabama Utilities died today.  I've worked with Braxton through his employer and for him personally to help out on an environmental issue he came across.  He was a class act and his knowledge in the indusrty will be missed.  May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace, amen.

October 12, 2020

OAI provided asistance to a local drilling firm on a recently completed public supply well.  OAI strongly encourages all drilling contractors to carefully read all specs and equally encourages all engineers to stop cutting and pasting other's specs that generally result in conflicts that don't help either party.  Sometimes I'm left wondering if anybody besides me read the specs?  I can tell you that if the specs go into more detail on how to install silt fences than in actually spelling out the drilling and completing the well, there will be trouble coming.  If there is an efficiency clause in them, the specs should clearly spell out the method used to determine well efficiency and have the money for that to happen (ideally an observation well).  If the specs spell out the penalty for not hitting the spec'd efficiency, they should also identify the bonus for exceeding that efficiency.  

October 7, 2020

The second well of a two well-single aquifer wellfield went on line today, see September 4, 2020 below.  Well #16, foreground, was completed to a depth of 85 feet and screened from 60 to 80 feet, is capable of producing 900 to 1,200 gpm 24/7 depending on river stage.  Well #17, background,  is completed to a depth of 92 feet with a designed production rate in the 1,000 to 1,500 gpm range depending on the river stage.  Both wells supply excellent quality groundwater using the induced infiltration method of production drawing water from the river through the aquifer for industrial supply purposes.  The river is just beyond the tree line on the left side of the photo.  Previous testing indicated the river water, cleaned by the aquifer, reaches the wells in about 16 days based on temperature and water quality parameter changes. 

September 23, 2020

Started a new public supply well project today targeting a regional aquifer at a depth of 1,200 feet.  The aquifer was found as expected and the production well was completed as planned.  This is the fifth public supply well for this system and OAI's first project with them, our 52nd public water supply client.  Testing and development is to follow.  OAI provided the required (in Alabama) geologic log and will provide analysis of the capacity test and complete the source water assessment requirements so the well can be permitted.  

September 4, 2020

On September 4th, the first well of a two well-single aquifer wellfield went online.  This well is the first of this wellfield that was reseasearch, planned, tested and completed to bring a new sustainable source of industrial supply to a long existing plant.  The method of production rests on the concept of induced infiltration and is, to the best of our knowledge the first of its kind in Alabama.   The well is completed to a depth of 85 feet and, depending on the river stage, will operate in the production range of 900 to 1,200 gpm 24/7.  Testing indicated that river water reaches the well in about 16 days at 900 gpm.  The produced water was tested and found to be excellent, in fact it was called "holy water" when compared to the facility's exisitng source.   The water produced at the wellfield is pumped to the plant via a 16-inch pipeline. 

August 13, 2020

OAI assisted a local drilling company (Griner Drilling) with data collection and analysis of an aquifer test on a Florida public supply well,  The test was a constant rate test with the well pumping about 830 gpm.  OAI used data loggers to obtain pre-test, test and post-test water levels in the pumped well and three observation wells.  Once the test was completed, OAI downloaded the data and completed anaylis of the drawdown and recovery recorded by the loggers.  

August 5, 2020

OAI wrapped up testing on a new public supply well for a 20+ year client.  This project off-set an existing public supply well negating the need for land purchase or extensive new piping.  The new well tested out at 720 gpm and will be initially permitted for 480 gpm.  Plans are to re-permit the well at 650 to 700 gpm once it goes online.  The photo below shows the well's screen being installed. 

July 18, 2020

OAI completed a water well survey for a decentralized wastewater treatment facility.  During the initial permitting process, this critical item was miss by the consultant.  OAI got the project done and submitted within two days of being contacted about this overlooked issue.  OAI has completed 25 similar projects and we include all required work with our submissions to ensure the permitting process runs smooth.  Experience with what is required is what OAI offers.

May 19, 2020

OAI celebrates 21 years of providing professional hydrogeologic services to our clients (public water systems, industrial clients, large scale irrigators and private individuals).  To each of you, we thank you for your confidence in OAI over the years and for years to come.  Dan and Nell

May 5, 2020

For the past six months, OAI has researched the #1 water quality problem facing groundwater producers in the Gulf Coast area.  During this time, we identified a novel approach to addressing this issue.  The down time brought on by COVID-19 has been put to good use.  If your system faces the dreaded "iron" issue, we'd like to talk with you.  Perhaps things are not as bad as they appear.  Call today.  

May 4, 2020

OAI received word that the waiver requested on April 13th was accepted saving our client system in excess of $70,000.  This was just another example of how OAI "puts geology to work for our clients" as part of our source water assessment services.  Our clients expect and receive more, so should you!

May 26, 2020

OAI receive a contract to develop a two well single aquifer industrial water supply project.  This project began with a hydrogeologic study OAI completed in 2017 followed by drilling and testing in 2018 to prove the feasibility of this "new to Alabama" method of groundwater production.   The new portion of this project was to drill, install and complete two new production wells and be ready to turn them on as soon as the 6,200+ foot pipeline needed to transmit the produced groundwater was installed and ready to go.  OAI coordinated the project and brought it in just ast the pipeline was completed. Five months later on October 7, 2020 both wells were on-line and the project was complete, see October 7, 2020 above for completion information on this project.

April 24, 2020

Got word today that one of our contracts was cancelled due to the drilling contractor's request that no "other company's personnel" be allowed on site while they drilled due to covid concerns!  No oversight?  Oh well.  BTW they drilled a dry hole here.

April 15, 2020

While working on a new well project for a long term client, OAI made a suggestion to the engineer and owner, upon accetance, cut the project cost by $38,000 without loss of critical data needed to complete our sourcewater assessment contract.  How can OAI help you? 

April 13, 2020

OAI working with a small water system on their new water well project suggested seeking a waiver from a standard requirement associated with permitting new public supply wells in Alabama.  OAI submitted the waiver request with documentation supporting the waiver to the state regulatory agency (ADEM).  If the waiver is granted, the system will save in excess of $70,000 as they complete and permt their new well without losing and benfit to the sytem.

February 17, 2020

Began a test bore for a new public supply well at a location favorable due to its proximity to a water tower but in an area where OAI's hydrogeologic work up showed the target aquifer thinning to about 20 feet.  Looked to find at least 20 feet of clean sand a pilot bore was advanced but it only encounterd about 12 feet so the bore was abandoned.  

February 10, 2020

Began an aquifer management program for this 20 year client to evaluate aquifer conditions with an eye for further development of the aquifer. 

January 26, 2020

It is not all fun (work) at OAI.  This evening, as part of our local vocations club, we cooked and provided dinner for 43 seminarians visiting the Mobile area from St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Mn.  What a great group of young men.

December 17, 2019

Celebrated my 64th birthday with the reciept of two new public water supply well contracts for a client of 21 years.  The contracts involved an evaluation of two exisitng wells completed in 1983 and 1986.  OAI assisted with an evaluation of historic water level and declining production data and then made recommendations for off setting these two wells with new wells.  Work will include updating the new wells' sourcewater assessment originally completed by OAI in 2001.   

December 3, 2019

Got the OK to begin work for a long term industrial client that, if data is favorable, will result in development of two wells at their plant.  The original well was completed in 2005.  The well was the result of OAI's 2004 study that identified several vaible aquifers underlying the site that was "written off" as having no potential to develop a groundwater source of industrial supply with purchasing water as the only option.  The new project will involve conversion of an idle 6-inch diameter test well and the addition of a new production well. 

December 2, 2019

Began completion work on a new 600 gpm public supply well in an aquifer originally drilled and tested  back in 2017 but abandoned due to elevated chlorides.  The new well will produce water which will be treated with reverse osmosis prior to distribution.  The new well will be the system's first well allowing them to forego purchasing water from another area system.  The RO treatment process was orignially presented to the system by OAI in 2017. 

October 31, 2019

Set up today for the required pumping test on a new northwest Florida public supply well, see photo below.  OAI was contacted in March of 2018 to provide hydrogeologic input on this new well project.  Initially, OAI was asked to provide a target drilling depths to reach the pre-selected primary targeted aquifer at two wellsites for bidding purposes.  The area has several faults complicating OAI's assessment but the proposed depths given by OAI were right on the money.

Our second task was to provide wellsite geologic services.  While geologically logging the pilot bores, OAI noticed a very promising aquifer and suggest it be tested should the target aquifer prove unsuitable for use which it ultimately did.  The back up aquifer suggested by OAI proved to be prolific and contained water suitable for use as a source for public supply.  Once again, OAI's services were the key factor in turning this exploration program from a bust to developing a new aquifer that was not even considered as a viable source of groundwater.  New aquifer and new public supply well, OAI putting geology to work for our clients.

October 26, 2019

Got word tonight that Felicity Ann (Cici) O'Donnell arrived in Leesburg, Va.  She is our fifth grandchild and daughter of Sam and Maggie.  Both mother and daughter are doing well and big sister Irene and big brother George are excited to welcome this new baby home.  Congrats Maggie and Sam!!!

October 16, 2019

Deliver a hydrogeologic review to an area public supply system to aid in the groundwater exploration program to develop a new source of groundwater.  This project involved a review of 1,200+ well records across a 48+ square mile area to identify and target area aquifers (more than the one area reports identify) through subsurface correlation.  Using information provided in this report, the water system can efficiently allocate their resources to target the most promising aquifers for development.  By completing this study and implementing its recommendations before they located a wellsite and began drilling, this system can significantly reduce their chances of dry hole failures.

October 8, 2019

Received a new contract to implement OAI's groundwater management program at a new public supply well.  This cost effective groundwater management program tracks the "health and sustainability" of the aquifer that will be used to aid in future development of the aquifer as demand increases.  OAI is currently operating 12 of these programs monitoring aquifers supplying 18 industrial or public supply wells.  Call today for more information on starting a similar management program for your wells (251+285+5945).

September 16, 2019

Completed a cooling water/irrigation groundwater project for the Porch Band of Creek Indians.  This project, OAI's second for them, involved providing information on area aquifers, estimating potential drilling depths, geologically logging the pilot bore and planning and evaluating the aquifer test on the completed well.  All went well and the well was completed as planned.  Our first project for the PBCI was the completion of their first public supply well.

April 30, 2019

Walter "Scotty" Scott, an engineer friend and OAI client passed away today at his home.  Walter and I worked on several water supply projects over the years.  He was a very good engineer and worked hard for his clients.  It seems there are more and more losses to the industry of people like Walter with a wealth of experience with few trailing behind to take up the slack.  Walter, may you rest in peace, you will be missed.   

April 2, 2019

Just finished up OAI's second well effort for Dauphin Island Water and Sewer with the completion of the Public Awareness Meeting.  The PA meeting is the last hurdle in permitting the well we started in August 2018.  If you haven't been to Dauphin Island, located seven miles south of mainland Mobile County, please consider it for your next vacation get away.  It's laid back with friendly folks and great water!

March 26 - April 1, 2019

Made a quick vacation trip through O'Donnell, Texas (thanks Blake Nichols, AD at O'Donnell High), Roswell, New Mexico (did not get abducted but had a six hour time gap!), Carlsbad Caverns (worth it) and on through El Paso to Tornillo and a visit to Nell's Uncle Red for his 90th birthday.  What a great trip.   

January 24, 2019

Just received word this morning that Dr. Wayne Pettyjohn passed away in May 2017.  Dr. Pettyjohn was the person who put together the Hydro Program at Oklahoma State that helped me and countless other petroleum geologist transition into hydrogeologists.  He was one of the greats in the field and worked hard to help us newbees understand the basics to ensure we got it right.  As for the other stuff "we'll get to that".  He will be missed.  May he rest in peace. His full obit is at:

https://strodefh.com/book-of-memories/2931411/pettyjohn-wayne/obituary.php

December 31, 2018

As 2018 winds down, OAI looks back and would like to thank all our clients for the trust and confidence you have given OAI for your hydrogeologic needs.  It truly has been a fantastic year from proposing, planning, testing and proving a new unique method of groundwater production that will be the first of its kind in Alabama to the disappointment of seeing trusted friends retire to the completion of projects years in the making. What a year it has been.

To all our existing clients and to those who aren't currently or those who may have gone with others, we wish you all a happy and blessed new year.

God bless,

Dan and Nell

December 7, 2018

Today is my brother Jim's birthday and the day OAI contracted with our 45th public water system since we formed OAI in 1999.  

November 17, 2018

As a means to stay fresh on all things drilling, OAI  attended and completed Baroid's Drilling Mud School with a special thanks to Dave Roberts of Baroid and Ray Smith of Griner Drilling for hosting this school. 

November 7-8, 2018

Completed a capacity test on a new public supply well (see August 1, 2018, below) with the well testing out at the rate of 1,500 gpm.  Once completed, OAI finalized the well's sourcewater protection report required for permitting public supply wells in Alabama.

August 6, 2018

Begin new "on island" test well with intent to convert it to a 400 gpm production well if favorable conditions found.  The site selected by OAI was based on research which identified a test completed on the aquifer at this location in 1954.  Well requires coastal zone permitting as well as PS permitting and will be designed to supplement the system's existing wells as needed and for emergencies purposes.

August 2, 2018

Completed a 30-day aquifer test at the rate of 900 gpm on an 8-inch diameter industrial supply test well to obtain hydraulic and water quality data over time.  All data suggests development of a new 4.3+ mgd wellfield is feasible in the targeted shallow aquifer using a new method of groundwater production, the first of its kind in Alabama.  This project, scheduled for completion in 2019, will provide a new high quality source of industrial supply for this facility.  The wellfield site was identified based on OAI's hydrogeologic investigation of the area along with OAI's study of the proposed new method of groundwater production.  Update:  The wellfield went on line in October 2020.

August 1, 2018

Began drilling a new production well, the system's third, based on field work OAI originally began in late 2008.  Project's target aquifer is a deep Miocene sand with a production potential of 1,000 to 1,5000 gpm.  

June 28, 2018

Today I attended John "Sparky" Wilson's retirement party.  I first came in contact with Sparky back in 1995 when I called on Griner Drilling to install a monitoring well as part of a wellhead protection project I was working.  Since then, Sparky has provided me with help on developing wellfields, borrowing equipment and giving me good reviews that have helped land many new clients.  He was always ready to share his knowledge of wells, aquifers and experience when I found myself perplexed.  Always.

If you have ever had the opportunity of working with him, I'm sure you have been treated the same.  Now he is looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren, his two kids and his wife and I wish him the very best in all these areas. 

As I've discussed with several of us older groundwater folks there is a coming brain drain approaching and with the retirement of Sparky we are losing a lot.  God bless you and know I have very much enjoyed the past 23 years working with you on the projects we shared.

May 2018

Did you know OAI has provided hydrogeologic services to 23 engineering firms over the past 19 years with 16 of these being repeat clients? 

April 17, 2018

As a follow-up to OAI's 2017 hydrogeologic study of an area around an industrial facility needing a new source of supply, OAI was given the go ahead with the installation of five monitoring wells and one 8-inch diameter test well in an area OAI's research identified as promising to a new unique method of groundwater production.  Over the course of the next few months, this new method will be tested to determine whether or not it is a stable, sustainable means of producing high quality groundwater for use as industrial supply.  Stay tuned as we feel it will be!   Update:  Wellfield succussfully completed in October 2020.

April 13, 2018

Initiated a groundwater management program for one of OAI's oldest clients in an effort to determine the potential for further groundwater development for them.  Under this program, four aquifers supplying a total of seven public supply wells in three different wellfields will be monitored to determine whether or not the aquifers can support additional wells.  Data from this cost effective management program will be key to planning and budgeting new wells if favorable conditions are found.

March 14, 2018

This system began a drilling program at a site recommended by OAI based on hydrogeologic mapping of an area aquifer.  The test site was in the "thick trend" of the sand aquifer originally mapped by Dan as part of a wellhead program back in 1997.  The aquifer came in structurally and on trend as mapped.  The target aquifer produced water suitable for use as a source of public supply and will be developed with the completion of a new public supply well with an estimated production rate of 900 to 1,300 gpm.  The new well will be the system's fourth well and the second well completed based on OAI's hydrogeologic effort.  

February 15, 2018

Received word today that my favorite brother-in-law Jack McCoy passed away.  We just had the pleasure of attending his daughter Jenny's wedding in Brooklyn New York two weeks ago.  Tempus fugit, rest in peace Jack. Condolences to Patty, Keven, Jenny, Jenn, Abbie, John Grady, Amy and Guilherme.  God bless you all.  A tribute to Jack can be found at:

http://www.northbrevardfuneralhome.com/tributes/Grady-McCoy#

February 3, 2018

Made a trip to New York City and Brooklyn for my niece's wedding.  Great time and the new couple are a perfect match.  Best wishes to Jenny and Guilherme deOliveira. 

January 25, 2018

Nell and I are pleased to welcome George Joseph, our newest grandson, to our family.  George is the son of Sam and Maggie O'Donnell and little brother to Irene. 

December 27, 2017

It's been a fast year but a good year and OAI hopes your year was equally good.  We've earned some new clients, welcomed back some old clients and teamed with some new engineering firms on some public supply well projects that should prove both challenging and interesting. 

Our research has opened possibilities for a new client and offered possibilities to another client.  Our groundwater level monitoring program identified a critical issue with one of our client's wells that left alone could have had catastrophic results but allowed them the chance to make corrections before damage was done. 

All in all, it has been a good year and we look forward to 2018 being a great year!

God Bless you all,

Dan and Nell 

October 27, 2017 OAI Welcomes CDG Engineers

Today, CDG became the 24th engineering client to contract OAI for professional hydrogeologic services on a project OAI completed earlier work for back in 2009.  The project involves consulting, field services and sourcewwater assessment services for a south Alabama utility's new well.  To date, OAI has been involved with planning, siting, developing, protecting or managing over 79 public supply wells including permitting 45 new wells.  We welcome CDG and, as always, work to provide them the same quality services we provide all our clients.

October 10, 2017 OAI's sourcewater work pays dividends

One of our municipal clients called today with growing concerns on the development of their next well.  Tentative plans centered on a 1998 test well that had favorable results but they had difficulty securing the land needed to complete the production well.  This led them to retain OAI in 1999 too quickly locate a favorable site for developing a new well.  We did and they got their new well.

Fast forward to October 10th and once again, they called OAI with the same issue relating to that 1998 test well.  While at first they had favorable talks with securing the land at the test well site this time, things soon fell apart.  OAI was asked to "quickly" help them locate a new site.  By early the next morning, a field survey was completed on two potential locations identified based on OAI's 1999 sourcewater effort.  One proved bad while the other was extremely favorable.  A Scope of Work was agreed upon and implemented that found the potential site was in fact a highly probable site both production wise and water quality wise. 

Currently, plans are being underway to the development a production well at the site.

September 6, 2017 Happy Birthday Well #10

Just about this time ten years ago, OAI completed work on Well #10 for a local utility.  Well #10 is part of the third wellfield OAI planned, tested and permitted using our hydrogeologic method of developing groundwater resources.  The benefits of this method outlined at the time were as follows:

               1)  No off-site land purchase required for this wellfield as the City owns the property under consideration
               2)  Reduced piping cost (estimated at $18 to $30/foot with old rule of thumb mile spacing of wells)
               3)  Reduced treatment costs (new treatment plant will be sized to handle additional volume eliminating costs associated with a standalone plant)
               4)  Eliminate exploration costs (the aquifer has known water quality and production potential allowing the City to forego cost of “test wells”)

               Hydraulically and economically, the development of a wellfield at the existing wellsite make sense.  It's only money.  

July 13, 2017 Welcome The Constantine Group

Today, The Constantine Group became the 23rd engineering firm to utilize OAI for hydrogeologic services for a mid-Alabama utility client of theirs in need of redundancy for their public water supply.  The project will involve planning, testing and permitting a second well for the water system.  As a side note, a good side note, the water system becomes the 44th public water system to benefit from OAI's training and experience.  Welcome to both. 

July 12, 2017

White House Water System's Well #1 went fully online today.  This, as noted in several notes below, is the system's first well which will serve too greatly reduce their purchased water costs.  Congrats to WHWS and thanks for selecting OAI for your hydrogeologic services.  Update:  In June 2020, this well was operating 16 hours per day and has reduced their purchase water cost tremendously.

June 5, 2017

Back to drilling at a location in north Baldwin County to evaluate potential by-passed production at a well originally drilled for another water system.  Due to continuous rain, OAI's field office required use of the  official OAI canopy, seen below, for the first time in two years.  If successful, water supplied from the new well will replace water requiring significant post-production treatment for the initial well.

 

May 19, 2017

Great day at OAI today.  First, on this day in 1999, we officially opened our doors as O'Donnell & Associates with a lot of prayers and a unique service.  We are thankful for all our clients who have placed their trust in our company.  Since 1999, OAI has provided hydrogeologic services on 70 test wells, 14 industrial supply wells, 4 irrigation wells, 79 public supply wells, completed 87 hydrogeologic studies, geologically logged 53,030 feet of well bores, complete 76 aquifer tests, 20 pumping tests, completed 80 groundwater modeling projects, developed wells capable of supplying a total of 36,234 gpm including 22,040 for public supply purposes and permitted 45 wells.   To you our clients, again, thank you and God bless you and your systems.

Second, we received a contract with our second oldest client to investigate by-passed production at one of their wellsites.  After a "geologic" absence of eight years, we are more than happy we have this system back as an OAI client.  With several well projects on the board, we look forward to many more years working with them to bring public supply water to their customers.

April 17, 2017

Stopped in at White House Water System today to complete the Public Awareness requirement of  their sourcewater assessment program.  While there, took this photo, seen above, of their new treatment plant for Well #1.  Expected to be online soon, Well #1 will reduce their purchased water cost by close to 63 percent.  Saving will be applied to system upgrades and a future well that will make them self sufficient.              

April 10, 2017

Began wellsite services on a backup groundwater sourced supply for a confidential client.  The back up water supply was required in the event the facility's primary source of public supply was interrupted.  The pilot boring was completed to a depth of 375 feet based on a hydrogeologic review OAI completed in 2011.  Two significant and promising sand aquifers were cut.  The sand targeted for development based on correlation to a nearby irrigation well that was sampled with favorable water quality in the 2011 review.  Of interest on this project was the change in color of the drilling mud as we drilled out of the Citronelle Formation (orange mud stream) into the Miocene Formation (gray mud stream) as seen in the photo below.

March 21, 2017

Chuck Barris of The Gong Show fame died today.  I named my college dog after him and enjoyed his show especially Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.  RIP Chuck.

February 13, 2017

Over the past years OAI has been called on to evaluate pumping test or aquifer test data where the well or wells are completed with their screens set in two separate aquifers.  While aquifer hydraulics can be evaluated if the testing isolates each individual aquifer such that the drawdown and recovery from that single aquifer can be monitored, none of the tests OAI was asked to evaluate were done in this manner.  As a rule, OAI won't provide an evaluation of the drawdown and recovery data when two or more aquifers are screened and supply water to a single well (pumped well alone or pumped well and observation well).  In the book Applied Hydrogeology, Fourth Edition, C. W. Fetter (the author) summed our reason not to perform these evaluations nicely on page 212 stating:

Observation wells should also not be screened in aquifers other than the one in which the pumping well is also screened.  The author has seen cases where very expensive pumping tests yielded meaningless results because either the pumping well or the observation well was screened in more than one aquifer.  Time-drawdown data can be obtained from such misbegotten wells, and misguided hydrogeologists have attempted to evaluate them,  The results, however are garbage.

OAI has seen similar test evaluations.  On a side note, OAI recommends against screening aquifers in more than one aquifer, call to find out why.

January 2, 2017 Groundwater Monitoring

OAI initiated groundwater level monitoring programs at two more public supply wells as part of this client's long term management planning.  The data collected from this program will provide them with critical information on the health of their aquifers allowing them to better plan their next well or wells as the need arises.  On similar projects for other OAI clients, we have used the information to:

• 1) support the position that aquifers in coastal Alabama are not being over produced as alledged,
• 2) saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in exploration costs for our clients,
• 3) eliminated the "need" for test wells and
• 4) busted the myth of "mile separation" between wells

To learn more about this program, see the Groundwater Monitoring tab under the Research tab above. Contact OAI to see how this simple but effective management program can be put into action for your system.

Hello 2017

OAI welcomes 2017 and looks forward to our 18th year of providing service to our 73 clients and welcomes others in need of professional hydrogeologic services to our website in the hope you will give OAI a call before you begin planning your next well.

December 20, 2016 Success!

On December 1st OAI submitted a request to the state regulatory agency for a review of a decades old underground storage tank closure report at a client's property, see December 1 below.  The UST closure, completed in 1991, was included in the Phase I report completed by a national firm that went on to recommend an $11,000+ Phase II assessment.  Nineteen days after OAI's submission of the closure report that was part of the ESA, the agency issued a "No Further Action" letter for the site.  It's only money...your money, spend it wisely.

December 10, 2016 Looking Good

The first year of monitoring is complete at this older well location and, despite a severe two month drought, the aquifer showed no significant impact due to lack of precipitation.  More importantly, the data suggests the aquifer is in balance and is likely favorable for the completion of another well in the aquifer.  An additional year of monitoring is underway to confirm seasonal effects and ensure stability in the aquifer is ongoing.

December 1, 2016 Environmental Problem

OAI was contacted to assist a client with a decades old environmental issue.   While OAI does not pursue "contamination related work", we do from time to time accept projects that are troublesome to the potential client if we feel we can help.  In this case, we did elect to help and outlined a process to follow to resolve the issue.  Stay tuned.

October 9, 2016 Trout Fishing Spent a long weekend with my son Daniel and his family (Krystin and Daniel and Sam) up in the Gatlinburg Tn area.

October 4, 2016 Oklahoma Outreach Continue OAI's efforts to bring hydrogeologic services back to the central Oklahoma area where I lived from 1981 to 1990. The area is plagued by recurring periods of drought the ultimately lead to water restrictions. If you are in the water sales business, restrictions are not something you want. Couple that with unsuccessful previous geologic efforts or low volume wells and it's time to look outside the box for solutions. That outside the box look should be eastward to OAI in Alabama. We are well experienced with the area's hydrogeology through our time in the area coupled with specific research that has identified promising opportunities to develop high producing wells with a sustainable source; wells resistant to periodic drought conditions that hamper lake based water supplies. To paraphrase our motto "it's time to put our Oklahoma State Hydrogeologic training to work in Oklahoma". September 27, 2016 Groundwater Monitoring System OAI developed a groundwater monitoring program for a waste water spray disposal field for domestic waste water, photo on left. The site is located in a rural area and is designed to manage and dispose of up to 120,000 gallons of treated waste water per day. The groundwater monitoring system consists of five strategically placed monitoring wells, see picture on left, that will allow monitoring of the groundwater in the upper aquifer for constituents required by the permit.

August 8, 2016 Another well completion in which OAI completed test bore logging (required in Alabama), pumping test evaluation and source water assessment services. Well #12, see below, tested out at 750 gallons per minute during the capacity test required for permitting purposes. The well’s design capacity is 500 gallons per minute. Well #12, photo on right, will operate at its design capacity on an “as needed” basis. July 16, 2016 My oldest brother John died today (Obituary). Known as "OJ" to family, "unka John" to nephews and nieces, the "Dr. of Golf" on courses near and far and simply as Dr. O'Donnell to his many patients and their babies, John was a treasure to all he came in contact with. As the oldest, he was the one we all looked up to and he always was somewhere in the stories we’ve told for years; stories that made us smile. He knew how to lay a nickname on you and make it stick, he always was good to the kids and no gathering of Da Family was complete without him being present. From teaching checkers to nephews to doting on nieces, to tracking down that red solo cup (before red solo cups had their own song), or easing Judy’s car up to 56 mph to get down to a graduation (8th grade, high school or college-it made no difference), baptism or a Troy Home Coming game quicker, John made you feel special by showing up. May his soul rest in peace. June 22, 2016 Just got word out of Kentucky that effective May 18, 2016 that I have been issued a new License Number. I remain available for hydrogeologic consulting on groundwater projects in Kentucky with my current license good through December 30, 2017 before needing to be renewed.