Geological engineer and Geology and Mining Department Drilling Branch Manager, Oğuz Vadilili, highlighted the insufficient budget for water drilling in the country. Speaking to Kibris Postasi he detailed the process of discovering the most productive water well in Çatalköy, emphasising the department’s low funding for such crucial work since 2015.
Municipal Contributions and Team Efforts
Vadilili pointed out that municipalities often contribute fuel to support drilling operations, acknowledging their role in the excavation process. He praised the Geology and Mining Department’s employees, stressing their expertise and dedication, and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the project.
Necessity of Drilling
Until 2016, the country relied solely on local water resources. However, increasing demand has necessitated the integration of water from Turkey, reaching 44 million cubic meters in 2024. Some regions, like Dikmen, Alsancak-Lapta, and Çatalköy-Esentepe, still face water shortages despite these external resources. When Çatalköy Municipality struggled to meet demand, the Geology and Mining Department stepped in to find a local source.
Initiating the Study
The process began with a request from the Geology and Mining Department to identify the specific area of need and the distribution of existing water lines. Vadilili underlined the importance of locating the well close to these areas to minimise investment costs, which can range from $100,000 to $300,000.
Drilling Process
After identifying the general research area, a geological-hydrogeological survey was conducted. During this process, they learned about a significant decrease in the efficiency of an existing well, EB-10, drilled in 1967. Initially, new drilling wasn’t considered, but the declining yield changed their approach.
Challenges and Discoveries
The drilling location and preparation took about four months. The excavation, conducted by Geology and Mining Department engineers, faced numerous mechanical issues, delaying progress. They eventually used a new impact hammer, increasing their drilling speed to 50 metres per day.
At 101 metres, they hit water, but significant outflow was obstructed by drilling foam and air. At 1a depth of 23 metres, they encountered a substantial water flow, a rare sight in Vadilili’s 18 years of experience. At 166 metres, groundwater pressure halted further drilling, and they stopped at 168 metres, planning to deepen the well if needed in the future.
Measuring Water Output
The real measure of success came when the Water Department installed a submersible pump. The well produced 80 tons of water per hour without the water level dropping, a remarkable finding for the Kyrenia Mountain Range. This made the well the most productive in the country’s history, Vadilili concluded.
