Water well drilling
Water well drilling for sites, farms, industry and communities
SARL ETAHG owns truck-mounted water well drilling equipment, recently acquired new with its accessories, and can drill water wells in Algeria for construction sites, agriculture, industrial facilities and communities. Based in Djelfa and Ghardaïa, between the High Plateaus and the northern Sahara, ETAHG can also include a well in the start-up of a new project, so that water is available early in the works.
01Why it matters
Water is a project in itself
Earthworks need water for compaction, concrete needs water for mixing and curing, haul roads need water for dust control, and site camps need drinking and service water. On the High Plateaus and in the Sahara, where surface water is scarce, a well is often the only reliable source, and hauling water by tanker over long distances is costly.
Drilling a well early, as part of the mobilization, removes one of the main constraints of a remote project. After the works, the well can continue to serve the owner, a farm or the local community.
- Construction and road sites
- Agricultural irrigation and livestock
- Industrial and mining facilities
- Community water supply
02Applications
Typical uses of a drilled well
- 01
Construction sites
Water for compaction, concrete, dust control and site facilities, close to where it is used.
- 02
Agriculture
Irrigation wells for farms and new agricultural land, particularly in the steppe and the Sahara.
- 03
Industry and mining
Process and service water for plants, quarries and industrial sites far from networks.
- 04
Communities and livestock
Wells for villages, settlements and pastoral areas where the network does not reach.
03Process
How a water well is delivered
The main stages of a water well project are below. The exact scope ETAHG carries out is agreed in each contract.
Needs and location
Water demand, intended use, location and access are defined with the client, together with any information on existing wells nearby.
Authorization
The authorization required under Algerian regulations is obtained before drilling starts; who applies for it is agreed in the contract, and the drilling is planned around it.
Rig mobilization
The drilling rig and support equipment are transported to the site.
Drilling
The borehole is drilled through the formations to the water-bearing layer, with a method suited to the ground.
Casing and completion
The well is cased, with screens at the water-bearing layer, and equipped according to the agreed specification.
Development and hand-over
The well is cleaned and developed until the water runs clear, then handed over for use.
04Terrain
Drilling in Algeria’s geological settings
Algeria’s groundwater varies with its landscapes. In the Tell, aquifers lie mainly in alluvial plains and fissured limestone, recharged by winter rain; near the coast, over-pumping can draw in salt water. On the High Plateaus, water-bearing layers occur in sedimentary basins whose depth and quality vary, and water near the salt flats (chotts) can be saline.
Under the northern Sahara lie two large aquifer systems shared with Tunisia and Libya: the Complexe Terminal, closer to the surface, and the deeper Continental Intercalaire, commonly called the Albian aquifer. Deep wells can deliver warm water under pressure, which affects the choice of casing and wellhead. Because much of this water is not renewed, its use is regulated by the authorities.
Each well is therefore planned for its location: the method, depth, casing and completion depend on the ground and on the aquifer to be reached. Every project starts with an exchange on the site and on the expected water needs. How Algeria’s terrains shape our work is described on our road-building experience page.
05Quotation
What to send for a well project
- Location of the well, with coordinates if available
- Intended use and estimated water demand
- Information on existing wells nearby, if known (depth, water level)
- Site access for a drilling rig and its support vehicles
- Status of the drilling authorization
- Preferred timing
07FAQ
Questions about water well drilling
Does ETAHG own its drilling rigs?
Yes. SARL ETAHG has its own truck-mounted water well drilling rig with its accessories, recently acquired new.
What kinds of water wells does ETAHG drill?
SARL ETAHG can drill water wells for construction sites, agricultural irrigation, industrial and mining facilities and community water supply. The design of each well depends on its use and on local geology.
Can a well be drilled as part of a site mobilization?
Yes. SARL ETAHG can include a water well in the mobilization of a new site, so that water is available for earthworks, concrete and site facilities.
Where can ETAHG drill water wells?
SARL ETAHG works from Djelfa and Ghardaïa, on the axis between northern Algeria and the Sahara. Feasibility for a specific location is assessed when you send the project details.
Is a permit needed to drill a water well in Algeria?
Yes. In Algeria, drilling a water well requires prior authorization from the administration responsible for water resources. SARL ETAHG plans its drilling around that authorization; who applies for it is agreed with the client.
How deep will the well be?
SARL ETAHG sets the depth of each well according to local geology and the aquifer to be reached. Depth is estimated after reviewing the location and any data from existing wells nearby.
Need water on your site?
Tell us the location and the use of the water.