GROUND WATER EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN GORDON COUNTY, GEORGIA, CITY OF CALHOUN, DEPARTMENT OF UTILILTIES/PUBLIC WORKS

The City of Calhoun has had on-going water system improvement programs for several decades. A 1988 report on “Proposed Water System Improvements For The City of Calhoun, Georgia” strongly recommended consideration of wells to supplement surface water supplies; particularly to serve outlying areas far from the primary water source.

Ground water exploration and development was begun in 1994. Crawford Consulting was retained to study and evaluate potential ground water sources in Gordon County east of Calhoun; this was a part of the City of Calhoun's long-range plan to develop additional sources of water. The Knox aquifer has the greatest potential for yield in this area; regrettably, Knox aquifer water also has the greatest potential for high turbidity and for being under the direct influence of surface water.

Three test wells were drilled in 1995. Test Well No. 3 showed the most promise, with low turbidity and no evidence that the water was under direct surface water influence; the water-bearing zone of broken rock was at a depth of 370 to 376 feet. This well was test-pumped at a rate of 2,250 gallons per minute (gpm). Test Well No. 4 was drilled in 2002, as an off-set to Test Well No. 3 (now Production Well No. 1); Test Well No. 4 (now Production Well No. 2) was test-pumped at a rate of 3225 gpm; the water-bearing zone of broken rock was at a depth of 465 to 467 feet.

Three features are particularly notable: total production potential; water quality; and depth of water-bearing zones.