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WATER WELL CORROSION PROTECTION

Cathodic Protection Systems for Municipal and Industrial Water Wells​

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What We Do

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ICG designs, tests, commissions, and maintains cathodic protection (CP) systems for municipal and industrial water wells, providing protection on both sides of the casing: the interior submerged components (well casing, pump column piping, submerged pump components) and the exterior buried casing and associated underground piping.

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Interior systems use linear anodes with stationary zinc reference electrodes, NSF-compatible materials, and rectifier-controlled output sized for the application. Exterior systems use deep anode groundbeds and impressed current rectifiers designed for the high-current loads required to protect buried steel casings.

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The systems and approach described here are based on recently completed Utah water well corrosion mitigation projects.

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Why It Matters

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Water wells are expensive, long-lived assets, and the cost of premature failure is substantial: lost service, emergency repair, capital replacement, and in the worst cases, water quality compromise from casing perforation. Both interior and exterior corrosion contribute to that risk, but neither is visible during normal operation.

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Interior corrosion attacks submerged steel directly from the water side, shortening the life of casings, pump columns, and pumping equipment. The damage typically isn't apparent until performance degrades or components fail.

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Exterior corrosion attacks the buried casing from the soil side. It's even harder to detect: by the time a perforation shows up as infiltration or pressure loss, significant material has already been lost. Unprotected casings in aggressive soils can fail well within their expected service life.

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A properly designed and monitored CP system mitigates both modes of corrosion across the full life of the well, turning corrosion from a hidden liability into a managed, monitored condition.

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Our Approach

ICG approaches water well CP as a full-lifecycle engineering service, not a one-time installation:

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Assessment first. Before recommending a system, we evaluate the well's existing condition, water chemistry, soil environment around the casing, and any existing corrosion control infrastructure. This determines whether interior CP, exterior CP, or both are warranted and how they should be sized.

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Design with longevity in mind. Our interior systems are engineered for 25+ year design life and use removable, maintainable configurations so components can be serviced without major disruption. Exterior systems use deep anode groundbeds sized for the casing length and soil conditions, with rectifiers selected for long-term reliability.

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Commissioning and verification. New systems are commissioned and tested to confirm the design assumptions match field conditions and that protection criteria are being met at every monitored point.

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Long-term monitoring. Stationary zinc reference electrodes provide continuous interior potential measurement; exterior systems include test stations and rectifier monitoring infrastructure. Annual CP evaluations track performance over time and identify when adjustments are needed before protection degrades.

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All work is performed under the oversight of AMPP-certified Cathodic Protection Specialists, with engineering stamped by licensed Professional Engineers where required.

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What We Provide

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  • Corrosion assessments and field testing of existing wells

  • Interior cathodic protection system design

  • Exterior well casing cathodic protection system design

  • Installation support and coordination with well contractors

  • Commissioning and startup testing

  • Annual CP performance evaluations

  • Rectifier monitoring and troubleshooting

  • Long-term corrosion asset management for water well portfolios

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