On July 8, John Bingham struck gold in Marion. Twice.
Not actual gold, the precious and valuable Earth metal, but another important commodity: fresh water.
His company, Bingham Drilling, had been called by a couple of property owners in Crittenden County seeking help and relief from the recent crisis that’s developed following the draining of Lake George and the ensuing drought that has plagued west Kentucky.
One thing is certain; there may not be loads of water above the surface in Marion at this time, but Bingham attests there’s plenty of water beneath it, just waiting to be drilled and tapped.
Bingham said both property owners were quite thrilled to see water spill its way to the surface.
Through a natural aquifer, Bingham said groundwater in Crittenden County resides deep in its white sand and limestone, and his notions have strong merit. According to The University of Kentucky and its online “Groundwater Resources” library, the county’s water — if not taken from an above-ground water source — can be located in consolidated sedimentary rocks that were deposited more than 350 million years ago between the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian ages of the Earth’s history.
It’s cool, clean and easily coaxed.
Once that depth is discovered, a pump system is installed. It’s a basic pump system with a submersible pump, pressure tank, pressure switch, new trench to the house, a power source…before Bingham says a customer is good to go for all water needs.
The water does get treated through basic standards before coming to the home, and since the water is coming from a deep source, Bingham said the chances for any bacteria from septic systems or surface level contaminants are almost impossible.
Much like the cities of Murray and Eddyville, Bingham suggested that one solution for Crittenden County and its Marion population in the coming months could be the use of deep wells. For example, the city of Murray provides nearly 8,000 customers annually with six wells from the McNairy Limestone Geologic Formation. In 2021, Murray’s water treatment plant processed more than 1.2 billion gallons of water alone.
Of course, it would be an incredible undertaking, especially for a company like Bingham Drilling — which is also busy in the heat of this summer working a myriad of other contracts.
For more information, Bingham Drilling can be contacted by phone at (270) 388-7003.
