Patent ID: 7654343

Claim:
A method for constructing a water well into a subterranean aquifer below a water table, comprising the steps of: drilling a first section of a well in a direction from the earth's surface, the direction selected from vertically, laterally, and combinations thereof; causing the drilling direction to deviate from said direction of said first section in a predetermined path to intersect the aquifer; and continuing to drill in a path extending into the aquifer at a predetermined depth or a predetermined inclination below the water table; wherein any of said drilling, causing, and continuing steps comprises combining a steerable drilling tool, a drill bit, and a casing for advance or rotation; and wherein the aquifer is a fresh water aquifer positioned within a subsurface formation of the type found in Hawaii, said formation including rock types selected from the group consisting of volcanic formations, hard lava beds, fragmented interbeds that are prone to caving, and combinations thereof; and the aquifer is a basal aquifer directly underlain by salt water; and said continuing step comprises drilling in a substantially horizontal path near the top of the aquifer.