How to Investigate Water Quality Anomalies in a 260-Meter Deep Well? AIMOLI AML921 Downhole Camera Identifies Three Key Issues
In groundwater monitoring and deep well inspection projects, water quality anomalies in deep wells can be difficult to identify through conventional well cleaning and laboratory analysis alone. A groundwater monitoring station in northwest China recently faced this exact challenge. The well had a total depth of 260 meters and a water depth of 247 meters, while abnormal water quality data continued to appear.
The customer had carried out well cleaning multiple times, consuming significant labor hours. Repeated laboratory water quality analyses still failed to identify the root cause, leaving the project without a clear conclusion and bringing the investigation to a standstill.
AIMOLI AML921 Provides a Visual Solution for Deep Well Water Quality Investigation
After contacting AIMOLI for technical support, the AIMOLI technical team quickly identified the core requirement. Since conventional well cleaning and laboratory analysis could not clearly determine the source of the water quality anomaly, the inside of the deep well needed to be visually inspected.
Based on the actual site conditions, AIMOLI recommended using the AML921 Downhole Camera to conduct a comprehensive visual inspection of the well wall, well bottom, and key internal structures. By capturing real-time downhole video, the AML921 provided direct visual evidence for deep well water quality anomaly analysis.
The customer immediately confirmed the solution and invited the AIMOLI technical team to travel to the northwest site with the required equipment.
260-Meter Well Requires a Customized 300-Meter Cable
One of the biggest challenges of this project was the cable length required for a 260-meter-deep well.
The standard AML921 Downhole Camera configuration had only a 100-meter cable in stock, which was insufficient for the 260-meter well. To meet the customer’s urgent project requirements, AIMOLI immediately initiated customized production and prepared a 300-meter special synthetic cable for the AML921.
The customized cable integrates a load-bearing steel wire and signal transmission line. The waterproof connector was also treated with glue injection and aging treatment to improve operational stability during deep well inspection.
This rapid customization ensured that the AML921 Downhole Camera could be safely and reliably deployed to the required depth, demonstrating AIMOLI’s ability to respond quickly to demanding deep well inspection and groundwater monitoring projects.
AML921 Completes Full Downhole Video Inspection in 2.5 Hours
The AIMOLI technical team traveled for 8 hours to reach the project site. On the following day, the team began the on-site inspection.
The AML921 Downhole Camera completed the full downhole recording and analysis process in approximately 2.5 hours. The visual inspection quickly identified three key areas requiring further investigation.
Issue 1: Turbulent and Cloudy Return Flow at the Screen Section
At the screen section, the downhole camera captured turbulent and cloudy return water. The on-site assessment indicated that mud might be entering through the screen.
This finding provided a new direction for investigating the abnormal water quality and demonstrated the value of downhole visual inspection for identifying conditions that may not be directly revealed by laboratory water quality analysis.
Issue 2: Possible 20-Meter Mud Sediment at the Well Bottom
At approximately 240 meters, the downward-looking camera encountered a black screen and made contact with the bottom.
Based on the inspection results, the technical team estimated that mud sediment at the well bottom could be approximately 20 meters deep.
The suspected accumulation of mud and sediment provided important evidence for investigating whether sediment deposition was contributing to the abnormal water quality.
Issue 3: Obstruction Found at a Pipeline Connection at 200 Meters
At approximately 200 meters, the AML921 Downhole Camera detected an obstruction at a pipeline connection.
The obstruction was suspected to potentially affect the water quality or water flow conditions inside the well, providing another specific location for subsequent inspection and troubleshooting.
Downhole Visual Inspection Breaks the Investigation Deadlock
Before the AML921 inspection, repeated well cleaning and laboratory analysis had failed to determine the source of the water quality anomaly.
The AML921 Downhole Camera changed this situation by providing direct visual evidence from inside the 260-meter-deep well.
The inspection identified three important clues:
- Cloudy and turbulent return water at the screen section, with possible mud intrusion.
- Possible approximately 20-meter mud sediment at the well bottom.
- An obstruction at a pipeline connection at approximately 200 meters.
These visual findings transformed an unclear water quality problem into a clearly defined investigation path.
With the support of the AML921 Downhole Camera and AIMOLI’s technical team, the customer was able to clarify the core issues within approximately 60 minutes, effectively addressing the common challenges of deep well inspection: limited visibility inside the well, difficulty locating abnormalities, and insufficient visual evidence for analysis.
For groundwater monitoring, deep well inspection, well wall inspection, well bottom inspection, and downhole video inspection, a Downhole Camera can provide direct visual information about the internal condition of a well and help engineers identify abnormal areas more efficiently.
Significant Project Results: Customer Recognizes AIMOLI AML921 Inspection Capability
Following the project, the customer expressed a high level of satisfaction with AIMOLI’s technical service and the precise inspection capability of the AML921 Downhole Camera. The customer also clearly indicated plans to promote batch procurement of the equipment.
From urgently customizing a 300-meter special cable to traveling long-distance to the project site, AIMOLI responded quickly to the customer’s actual requirements. Through the combination of professional downhole inspection equipment and technical expertise, AIMOLI helped the customer identify key issues affecting a 260-meter-deep well and establish a clear direction for subsequent troubleshooting.
For projects involving deep well inspection, groundwater monitoring, water quality anomaly investigation, well wall inspection, well bottom inspection, and downhole video inspection, the AIMOLI AML921 Downhole Camera provides a practical visual inspection solution for complex underground environments.
AIMOLI environmental instruments are in use at the National Analysis and Testing Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. With AIMOLI AML921, deep well inspection and water quality anomaly investigation can be supported by clear, direct visual evidence.
