Well Construction More Than A Hole Punched In Ground
Business
In 1976, John Wheeler Sr. started H2O Well Service as a pump installation, well repair and service company.
Since then, the company has grown to handle a host of services related to well drilling, pump installation, service, repair and testing.
The company is one of 394 special trade contractors in Kootenai County, according to the state Department of Labor. The companies employ a total of 1,911 people, with a total payroll of $46.8 million. The average annual wage in that industry is $24,528.
Here is a closer look at H2O Well Service, as described by Wheeler.
Q. What does your company do?
A. Drilling, including water well drilling, construction drilling, municipal water wells, monitor wells, elevator shafts, environmental remediation, complete water systems, pump installations, pump service and repair, well testing, well repair, water filtration and water treatment systems.
Q. How many employees do you have?
A. Between 22 to 25 employees, depending on the season.
Q. What kind of training do your employees need to have?
A. In the drilling department, a drill crew requires at least four years of training and a state license, including a CDL driver’s license, and yearly requirements of continuing education to maintain drilling licenses. In the pump department, a minimum of four years with journeymen electrical licenses and speciality plumbing licenses. Also, yearly requirements for education to maintain the licenses and CDL drivers licenses.
Q. What is your estimated annual payroll?
A. $800,000 to $900,000.
Q. What is the estimated economic impact on North Idaho?
A. The company provides year-round employment to 22-25 families. We strive to keep our employees long term and avoid long layoffs.
Q. How has your company grown?
A. In the past 10 years, the company has doubled its sales volume. We have continued to invest in updated equipment and technology.
Q. What part does your company play in your industry?
A. This company is the largest provider of water systems in Idaho. We are a fully licensed and bonded professional company.
Q. What is your target market?
A. Our market ranges from domestic to municipal water systems, providing complete water systems for the single-family home to large municipal engineered systems.
Q. What is your biggest challenge?
A. Complying with increasing state and federal regulations and policies, which increase costs. Unscrupulous fly-by-night contractors who undercut prices and then are not around to take care of unprofessional construction. Local growth and construction cycles. Educating the public in what well construction consists of - not just a hole punched in the ground.
Q. How has technology changed your industry?
A. New technology in drilling tools and procedures and pump installation has allowed us to construct higher quality at less cost. Also, technology in the computer industry has allowed us to access the latest information for our use and our customers.
Q. What changes do you predict in the future?
A. We plan to expand our services in the water system industry to provide more sales and service in water treatment and filtration systems. Specialty drilling services have expanded to include more commercial and construction drilling.