Ranney Collector Well Services - Riverbank Filtration (RBF)

Where alluvial deposits form aquifers that are hydraulically connected with surface water sources, water supply systems can be installed to induce infiltration to recharge the water being pumped from the aquifer, providing water that is naturally filtered to provide very uniform water quality and temperature.  As water is pumped from the well, the water table lowers, reversing the hydraulic gradients within the aquifer, which induces recharge to filter through riverbed and riverbank deposits providing a sustained flow of naturally filtered water to the well or infiltration system.  Ranney collector wells are the preferred method for developing moderate to very high capacity riverbank filtration (RBF) supplies. 

RBF Collector wells can be installed adjacent to surface water sources with their lateral well screens projected beneath the riverbed to optimize induced infiltration supplies or they can be installed with designated setback distances to increase the degree of filtration achieved.  In addition, Layne Christensen Company can install conventional vertical wells or angle wells to develop infiltrated water supplies if geologic conditions are favorable.  The uniform water quality and temperature characteristics of RBF supplies typically simplify treatment needs.  In addition to inland fresh water sources, collector wells can also develop filtered seawater supplies for desalination and other uses.