Well liner and maintenance for extended life?

[rdavenport3]

Family property has a 52 year old well. The pump will be replaced in about a month and I want to properly consider life of well and options with this pump pull. I expect family to still be using the property in 50 years and I want to make a good decision on extending the life of this well. I know drilling another well will eventually be needed and most practical, however, I don't want to make choices that bring that day closer than necessary. Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

Basic details:
6.25" steel casing to 100' into rock
pump is set around 660' (galvanized drop pipe)
80 gallon pressure tank
2HP pump
water has iron and tests for some aluminum (nice sweet taste and noticeably different than the water from 60' shallow wells in the area)

The well is within 50' of an edge of the septic system. I had the casing raised 4' and a new top well seal put on a few years back as surface water was flowing into the well. The e coli cleared up so it seems the casing was not leaking lower, but only leaking into through the top seal. Now the ground is 4' raised clay and slopes away from the well.

I understand steel casings around here have a life of around 50 years. I am considering having a camera check it out, but am also considering going straight to lining with 4 or 5" PVC (or other material). Annular grout would probably be bentonite. My thought on lining is to get ahead of the steel casing being at end of life and do the work during the scheduled pump replacement. My concern is that a well liner may limit options and total life of the well if done now. I don't know if I should wait until I can see a leak or if I should go ahead and line the 100' (probably would go to the bore so line and grout 120' or so).

1. Would you line the well at the 52 year mark? If so, what would be the liner material and preferred size to be within the 6.25" casing?
2. Would a liner limit the life as it is being put in before a casing failure? I do not know if a liner can be replaced in the future so I may be setting a limit on the well life with the install of the liner vs. some other option.
3. Are there other options that may be better such as replacing the casing and keeping the same inside working diameter?

Thank you for reading and considering. I am happy to share other details.

 

[Valveman]

Run the camera. See how the steel looks. If the water level is well below the 100' it will probably still look like new. If it is not really bad I would not line the well. Liners are usually installed all the way to the bottom. Yours is a rock well and only needs 100' of casing. Hard to cement or grout between the casing and liner and stop it at 100'.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[rdavenport3]

Run the camera. See how the steel looks. If the water level is well below the 100' it will probably still look like new. If it is not really bad I would not line the well. Liners are usually installed all the way to the bottom. Yours is a rock well and only needs 100' of casing. Hard to cement or grout between the casing and liner and stop it at 100'.

Thank you for the reply. I am getting someone to check it out with a camera soon.

Is it normal to plan for new wire and drop pipe every 50 years or is it done after 2 or 3 pump replacements regardless of age? Trying to understand the long-term budget with these other materials.

 

[Valveman]

59 years is a long time. I would probably replace everything.