Drillers made ‘rookie mistakes’ after breaching aquifer: expert

The unlicensed drillers who breached an aquifer on Vancouver’s west side made the mistake of pulling out their casing after the breach was made, according to an industry expert interviewed by the Vancouver Sun.

Another expert interviewed for the article was Roger Beckie, a professor of groundwater hydrology and geochemistry at UBC. According to Beckie, geothermal companies can drill into aquifers as long as they’re sufficiently prepared.

“Once you puncture the aquifer, water can flow easily, and it can flow easily from the aquifer up the drill pipe,” said Beckie.