Fred Rothauge has been in the Drilling and Drilling Fluids Engineering Business for
38 years. He oversees Drilling Fluids and Manages Well Rehabilitation for Hydro
Resources. Special projects Management and Advising are also part of Fred’s unique
skill set.
Bringing life experiences to the table.
Fred has a unique backstory. In 1982, he worked for “American Mud Company” a Drilling Fluids Engineering company. That experience led him to create his own business in 1984, working with Oil and Gas, Mining and the Water Well Industry. Quality Drilling Fluids Engineering Inc. was located in Colorado and serviced Water Well Drilling and Rehabilitation projects throughout the Western United States as well as Canada and South America. Fred’s special interest was working with the Water Well Industry to improve their drilling fluid programs providing improved penetration rates while minimizing formation damage and increasing well yields.
Prior to the company being acquired by Hydro Resources in 2006, Quality Drilling Fluids Engineering Inc. serviced “Henkle Drilling and Supply” and “Am-West Well and Pump” both companies that had also been acquired by Hydro Resources.
Fred is a conference speaking veteran who understands the need for quality drilling
fluids and the importance of maintaining drilling services and supply logistics. He
speaks at several association conferences as well as Johnson Screens three day
Groundwater and Wells Class each year. His previous experiences as a teacher and
business owner have given him a broad knowledge base to draw from and the
communication skills necessary to convey that knowledge to others.
Fred currently serves on the Board of Directors for the NGWA ”National Ground Water
Association”, the “American Ground Water Trust” where he serves as Chairman, the
“Mountain States Ground Association” and The Colorado Water Well Contractors
Association where he served and President for 2019. Fred has Co-Authored papers
on drilling fluids and is a Co Author of Chapter 8 – Drilling Fluids of the 3rd edition of
Johnson Screens “Groundwater and Wells” book. You can find the book in the National
Ground Water Bookstore.
According to Fred, what is Hydro Resources doing right?
The reputation for good customer service at Hydro Resources is something that Fred is proud to be a part of. He likes the integrity that Hydro Resources brings as part of that reputation. He values employee participation, where employees are encouraged to recommend alternatives when they feel there is a potentially better solution available and knowing the employee’s ideas are recognized and valued. In the thirty-eight years that Fred has been on the job and even more so the last fourteen years that he has been with Hydro Resources he has watched Well Rehabilitation evolve and Drilling
Fluids become more consistent across the company.
He also enjoys the company culture that has allowed Hydro Resources to expand to the size that they are while maintaining a local identity.
“If there is a will there’s a way”. I learned early not to doubt. I know that we can accomplish finding the best solution for our clients. We have many talented people at Hydro Resources. It is pretty cool. If you really focus on what the outcome is that you want and you’re open to finding the best way, then when it seems like it’s not going to work…as long as you stay focused…it’s amazing how the answer just finally gets there when you have your team really focused.”
Fred has advice for those looking into the Water Well and Pump Industry.
“If you are a hard worker, even when mistakes happen, own them, and work to fix them. Get involved as much as you can.
Continue learning something new every day.
No one can ever know everything about our industry when it’s forever changing, requiring new technology and management practices.
This will keep you relevant in your field and give you something in common with new colleagues as they come along. Don’t forget that listening can be more important than talking when it comes to solving problems as a team.”
Fred has had numerous moments where new innovative ideas have yielded outstanding results. This has ranged from new technology that allows for power production during aquifer charging and using drilling fluids to enhance water recovery.
Through all these experiences, Fred has learned that you should never underestimate the potential of anyone. Good ideas can come from everywhere, and you never know where exactly they may be. If you stay open to finding the right ideas, good things will happen.
ICL Gains a 50% Increase in Groundwater Production
Recently, Hydro Resources helped a global manufacturer of fertilizers, metals and other special-purpose chemicals realize a 50% increase in well capacity. ICL Group chose Hydro Resources to rehabilitate its industrial water wells that are used extensively by the company to feed chemical treatment and processing lines. Over time, the wells had lost capacity due to mineral and biological plugging of the screens.
Hydro Resources was uniquely qualified to provide a rapid response to clean these industrial wells, within a very tight, planned, five-day plant shut down.
ICL Project Challenges
With such a rigid schedule, there was no room for error. The situation required that a well cleaning method be used that would allow for a quick return to service but provide aggressive and effective energy to the well screen and surrounding gravel pack.
Hydro Resources Solution
After removing the well pumping equipment, Hydro Resources utilized high pressure jetting to remove any accumulated deposits on the well screen, in the gravel pack and in the surrounding formation. The jetting process used to clean each well was performed timely and efficiently.
A conventional well rehabilitation may have taken 5 to 7 days, but Hydro Resources’ high-pressure jetting was completed in one day, allowing time for pump installation and startup within the planned plant shutdown period. The Client was able to achieve their desired result in a cost-effective manner, without any chemical waste to handle.
For more information on water well rehabilitation, contact Hydro Resources – serving municipalities, agriculture, commercial, industrial, energy applications.
New Tech Finds Water in Tight Spaces for Municipalities
As populations grow, municipalities across the country are dealing with the challenge of finding water and creating water solutions in tight spaces. In Texas, the rate of development is making hydrogeophysical surveys and system installation more technical. Thankfully, new technology is available that makes Hydro Resources a leader in hydrogeophysical imaging. Here’s how we work to find water in tight spaces for municipalities.
Hydro Aqua Gem
Traditionally, hydrogeophysical surveys require long cables to gather accurate data. That’s not always possible when you’re working around asphalt roads, utilities, commercial buildings, and residential areas. To get the data necessary to complete the survey, new methods need to be used. Hydro Resources has solved this problem with a new system, the Hydro Aqua Gem. This system utilizes shorter cabling and dipoles, allowing for data acquisition in a small footprint, and is non-invasive to the property.
These developments in water survey technology make it possible for municipalities to complete surveys in areas where they weren’t possible before. It offers greater options that are still eco-friendly and cost-effective. The results are better groundwater discovery and management for local residents and businesses.
Custom Groundwater Solutions
As local economies continue to grow and develop, new methods are needed to fit the cultural environment. Fitting into high-traffic areas with homes and other buildings close together requires custom solutions that deliver results. All of this needs to happen without disrupting the local ecosystem.
Hydro Resources holds the highest standards of safety and work quality for our clients and communities. Everyone on our team is dedicated to bringing you the best technology and service available. We’re a leader in groundwater exploration and production, and our turnkey services can make your water use safer and environmentally friendly. Our entire team is committed to bringing you the best service and groundwater solutions possible.
Contact us today to find out how our Hydro Aqua Gem geophysical system can help.
A critical component of maintaining a well and ensuring water quality is the removal of bacteria or mineral scale from the system. When a well system has been operating for a while, its production and efficiency will decrease as material accumulates in its screened and slotted zones. Mineral deposits, bacterial sludge, silt and clay, or a combination of these factors, will contribute to the decreased well capacity.
Well Rehabilitation
● Deposits of biofilm and minerals should be targeted by application of energy to the screened interval and into the surrounding gravel pack.
● Bacteria can be removed with pH adjusted chlorination and the material can then be removed.
● Well brushing or similar mechanical methods are utilized to remove the deposits of minerals that accumulate in the well, but this only targets the inside of the well itself.
● Chemical treatment often follows the brushing as a means to penetrate through the screen and into the surrounding gravel pack to address mineral or biological plugging.
Hydro Resources’ Approach
Hydro Resources offers the technique of high-pressure jetting. This service offers an effective alternative to the use of chemicals. The major advantages of this service include:
Hydro Resources’ high-pressure jetting service provides superior well cleaning in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Hydro Resources has established itself as a leader in the groundwater industry, and its staff of experienced, knowledgeable professionals consistently develop and introduce groundbreaking construction technologies and services to meet the needs of clients found in industries such as agriculture, industry, energy and more. You can be assured
that we will utilize the most advanced services and highest safety standards to complete your project.
Please contact us to learn more about Hydro Resources and the wide range of services we offer.
Cattle, like any other living creature, depend on clean drinking water for survival, but what they require from their water can include factors that you might not have considered. Just having water available in a trough, pond or other water sources is not adequate. It is important to remember that not all water sources are of equal quality. Evaporation causes some common issues when storing water for livestock.
● Increased mineral concentration
● Elevated levels of nitrogen
● Bacterial contamination
● Algal blooms including toxic blue-green algae
● Possible contamination with petroleum, pesticides, or fertilizers
● Water temperature
One way to combat the issues associated with stagnant water storage is to provide fresh water on a continual basis by utilizing groundwater from a well. Using water from
your groundwater reserves isn’t as daunting as it sounds. At Hydro Resources, we’ll use our years of water well experience and knowledge of agricultural requirements to help
you with professional services to guide you in developing a water source that fits your needs whether you are a large-scale producer or smaller-scale operation wanting what’s
best for your cattle.
We understand that your herd needs a constant supply of fresh water. Depending on the type and size of your herd this requirement can range from 4 gallons (15.14 l) per head to over 40 gallons (151.4 l) per head per day. We are committed to working with you to develop a system that will meet the requirements of your herd all year.
Our services go beyond the drilling of your well. We are also happy to help with assessing your needs, planning your system, installing pumps and controls, and maintaining your system so you get the most out of your investment.
One way to combat the issues associated with stagnant water storage is to provide fresh water on a continual basis by utilizing