Nine Must-See Advancements from Groundwater Week 2025

Product innovation and emerging technology increase safety, streamline operations, and grow revenue.

By Mike Price

Product innovation and emerging technology was showcased at Groundwater Week 2025 as attendees saw 299 exhibitors display their commitment to continual improvements in the industry that prioritized safety, efficiency, and adaptability.

With a record 81,900 square feet of exhibit space at the annual conference, 4,712 attendees learned of new engineered solutions from exhibitors to possibly take home and use in their line of work. These conversations are critical as oftentimes they lead to ideas that spur innovations themselves. This feedback loop between attendees and exhibitors makes the groundwater industry a highly innovative field.

The final sprint of 2025 culminated in exhibitors finalizing their equipment to make it show-ready for attendees in New Orleans, Louisiana, which totaled the highest attendance ever for an event not held in Las Vegas, Nevada. There were 38 first-time exhibitors.

While the industry muscles its way forward in 2026, advancements seen at Groundwater Week 2025 will play a key part in meeting the workload demand challenges. Here’s a look at nine of them that caught our eye.

No. 1: RHR Products LLC’s Pipe Bite

RHR Products LLC introduced the Pipe Bite, the industry’s first non-coupling elevator that doubles as a pipe clamp.

Specially designed with laser-cut cam teeth that allow the tool to grab, lift, and hold pipe at any point, Pipe Bite grabs PVC, steel, stainless, or poly without having to rely on couplings. If the jobsite has height restrictions like power lines or trees, they can lift in shorter increments.

Pipe Bite can slide down the pipe and pass over top of couplings. The moment you lift up on the Pipe Bite elevator, it will clamp down on the pipe using its multiple sets of hardened stainless teeth which increases the surface area to minimize pipe scuffing. It securely grips and hoists lengths of pipe in or out of a well by wrapping around the pipe with ultimate grip. It can also be used to set casing.

The Pipe Bite is available in multiple sizes and load capacities (see below). RHR is currently offering 1-, 1¼-, 1½-, and 2-inch sizes. Larger sizes are coming later this year.

Load capacities:

• 1-inch rated 3700 pounds (1200-feet steel, 6/3 GA wire, water in pipe, zero static)
• 1¼-inch rated 4500 pounds (1300-feet steel, 4/3 GA wire, water in pipe, zero static)
• 1½-inch rated 5500 pounds (1300-steel, 4/3 GA wire, water in pipe, zero static)
• 2-inch rated 8000 pounds (1500-feet steel, 4/3 GA wire, water in pipe, zero static).

RHR Products in Westminster, Maryland, produces all products in-house from raw materials to finished products and testing before selling directly to customers both domestically and internationally.

“Successful product innovation comes from understanding customer needs and delivering a valuable new solution that helps solve a problem,” says RHR Products President and Owner Robert Ross. “The Pipe Bite significantly speeds up operations by not having to remove and reattach the tool repeatedly.

“It is engineered to securely grip and lift pipe with minimal manual effort and maximum safety. Pipe Bite is truly an industry game changer!”

No. 2: Mud Puppy Corp.’s Piston Pump

Mud Puppy Corp. debuted its Piston Pump that is engineered for demanding applications where durability, precision, and smooth operation matter most.

Designed with performance and longevity in mind, every component is built to handle high pressures while minimizing wear and operational stress.

All liners are manufactured from cast chromoly, delivering exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and extended service life. The pump is available in a wide range of sizes—5-, 5½-, 6-, 6½-, 7-, and 7½-inch—to meet varying flow and pressure requirements across multiple applications.

The pump features Mud Puppy’s Tetra-Grene piston seals, which are known for their sealing capability, chemical resistance, and long-term durability in harsh operating conditions.

This system utilizes hydraulics over electronics, eliminating the need for piston synchronization. Advanced electronic control removes the traditional hammering effect by slowing the pistons near the end of each stroke, resulting in smoother operation, reduced vibration, and less stress on internal components.

Available in mono, duplex, or triplex configurations, the pump is engineered with weight reduction and compact overall size in mind—making installation easier while maintaining high output performance.

Each piston’s maximum hydraulic oil supply is 20 gpm at 3000 psi, ensuring powerful, consistent operation even in the most demanding environments.

Drill rig manufacturers want to conduct testing with the pump and are looking to offer them on their rigs.

In addition to the Piston Pump, Mud Puppy’s new multistage pump (4 × 3 × 13) is currently on four of DRILLMAX’s® DM650 rigs that the customer has bought and installed themselves.

“Both the customer and DRILLMAX have been happy with the performance of the multistage pump,” says Kenneth Martinez, owner of Mud Puppy in Woodland, California. “DRILLMAX has a new pump they have fitted to a rig themselves at its shop, and after some testing, were very happy with it.

“We also have the pump on a few Versa-Drill rigs. Those customers are impressed with the pump as well. Most drillers are seeing a 50 to 80 percent increase in psi and are drilling 40 percent deeper with it.”

No. 3: GTD desco’s GT45 Drill Rig

GTD desco unveiled its newest addition, the GT45 geothermal drilling rig that is designed
to reach depths beyond 850 feet using mud, air, or hammer drilling methods.

New features include a EURODRILL GmbH rotary head, larger undercarriage, and the capacity to run larger piston pumps, and the addition of a Cummins Inc. L9 powerplant offering 390 hp. It not only offers more available power to its platform to run more functions and larger accessories efficiently but also offers the operator peace of mind in having a well-represented and serviceable American-made power plant.

With productivity top of mind, the heavy-duty track-mounted GT45 features GTD’s signature hands-free rod handler that handles 20-foot or 25-foot rods which are heavy gauged since no one is touching them. It can pull 650 feet of rod in under 20 minutes, according to the company and is the only geothermal-specific rig manufacturer. A tablet computer and engine diagnostics software tracks critical drilling data.

In addition to the GT45, GTD showcased the necessary geothermal drilling auxiliary equipment in its MG500 Mud Guzzler, the new GTD Drill Pipe and Casing Grab, and the INTRIC Grouting Solutions Inc.’s Geo Grouter system. It showcased the full geothermal package: drilling, solids control, grouting, and live data.

No. 4: Mudslayer Mfg.’s GS65 Groutslayer and Combo Grouter System

An advancement in the geothermal grouting setup or for any driller who struggles with grouters was designed by Mudslayer Mfg.’s portable and self-powered GS65 Groutslayer.

The GS65 Groutslayer is mounted on a platform that features a 65-gallon stainless steel mixing tub along with double-mixing paddles (gallons are marked to know how full when mixing) and lid, 65-gallon funnel with 3-inch dump (strainer on top of strainer), and 25 hp diesel on 7-ton tracks. It can be operated by remote control or manually.

Designed to carry two pallets of material, the tiedown straps in the photos will be replaced with a stakebed truck look for safety. It has a 300-gallon water tank; 25 gpm, 500 psi piston pump. A hydraulic washdown pump that’s mounted for easy drain out to prevent freezing. The grout hose reel holds 500 feet or more of 1¼-inch hose and greater amount for 1-inch hose. Stairs for easy and safe access to the top with all the controls and cooling fan.

Separate hydraulic circuits run the grouter and reel at the same time mixing is taking place with the idea of grouting the hole and mixing at the same time, according to Jim LaPorte, a former driller who is owner of Mudslayer, a manufacturer of mud and solids management systems in Guthrie Center, Iowa.

In addition to the GS65 Groutslayer, the combo grouter system was showcased on Mudslayer’s M500 track-mounted portable mud and solids management system for water well drilling applications. Featuring a 55-gallon mixer, the operator can work on the ground with swing-out controls or on the platform. The marrying of a mud system and grouter made sense to LaPorte and having it next to the drilling rig provides access convenience.

No. 5: LORENTZ’s S1 Solar Water Pumping Series

LORENTZ is expanding its solar water pumping legacy with the S1 range, a plug-and-play solar pump system designed for easy self-installation.

No wiring or complexity—just plug in and pump. It empowers professionals to serve more customers, including those seeking simple, budget-friendly solar water solutions.

The concept behind the S1 was born in 2018 to meet the needs of farmers in Africa with their water pumps. In six months, the product went on to deliver irrigation to thousands of farmers in Africa.

Named S for “simple,” LORENTZ now has a range of products that follow these design principles and a full wrapper of information, support, accessories, and dedicated sales channels (www.lorentz.de/s).

LORENTZ put clear separation into its product lines. The LORENTZ PSx range of products from 0.5 hp to 100 hp are sold and installed by water well professionals. These products have a wide feature range allowing almost any pumping application to be solarized, running solar only, solar/grid hybrid, or solar/generator hybrid. These systems provide water automation and remote management allow anything from a simple off-grid livestock water application to a large irrigation or municipal water provision.

The LORENTZ S range allows the same professionals to provide a “pump systems in a box” to customers or applications where the wrap-around services are not needed or where budgets are tight.

LORENTZ’s professional channel has fully embraced the new products. The LORENTZ S series allows professional partners to serve customers who they could not before and also provides a lower cost solution for their most loyal customers who need alternatives for specific applications. LORENTZ’s professional
partners can offer a high-quality product that fits the customers’ requirements without them resorting to buying something unbranded or of unknown quality online.

No. 6: GEFCO 2100WT Water Truck

GEFCO introduced its 2100WT Water Truck, a purpose-built solution that reflects the same robust
design philosophy found across its drilling rig lineup. From frame integration to tank mounting and overall system layout, it is engineered for durability, stability, and ease of service in real-world drilling environments.

The GEFCO 2100WT is designed for flexibility across a wide range of chassis platforms. The water truck can be mounted on multiple OEM chassis brands, accommodating engine ratings from 370 hp up to 565 hp, allowing customers to select the powertrain best suited to their operational needs, terrain, and regulatory requirements.

The water tank features carefully engineered internal baffles designed to control water surge during transport and operation. These baffles were optimized not only for effective fluid control, but also for weight optimization and balanced load distribution, enhancing vehicle stability and handling in both on-road and extreme off-road conditions.

The tank weldment was creatively engineered to allow all fabrication and installation to be completed prior to applying the internal coating. This eliminates the need for welding after coating—preventing damage to the protective lining and avoiding compromised corrosion protection. The result is a tank with extended
service life, improved reliability, and long-term resistance to internal corrosion.

The 2100WT offers a wide range of configurable options to support diverse jobsite requirements. Customers can select from multiple hydraulic crane options as well as an available generator/welder package, further enhancing on-site capability and operational independence.

A comprehensive lighting package is available to improve safety and productivity in low-light conditions. This package includes strategically placed work lights around the water tank, along with integrated lighting inside the toolboxes, ensuring clear visibility during nighttime and early-morning operations. An available
inverter system provides support for 120V tools and appliances, reducing reliance on external power sources and increasing overall jobsite efficiency.

The toolboxes are carefully designed for optimal storage capacity, featuring reinforced structures rated for heavy-duty field use. Additional integrated storage is creatively incorporated beneath the water tank, providing protected space for storing long materials and equipment up to 20 feet in length, maximizing usable space without compromising structural integrity or vehicle balance.

Deck stake pockets are modular and operator-relocatable, allowing crews to quickly and easily reconfigure the deck layout based on tooling, accessories, and changing job requirements, which adds a level of adaptability.

Fuel system flexibility is another key design feature. The fuel tank is engineered with split-tank capability, allowing operation with one or two fuel pumps, depending on customer preference and operational demands. This design provides redundancy, improved fuel management, and flexibility across varying duty
cycles.

No. 7: Centerline Mfg. LLC’s Hyperformance Duplex Pump’s New Model

Following Centerline Mfg. LLC debuting its gear-driven mud pump technology with the Hyperformance Duplex Pump at Groundwater Week 2024, Centerline showcased its new model, the 6 × 6 ¼ Hyperformance Duplex Pump that can do 330 gpm at 800 psi (110 strokes per minute) at the 2025 show.

Driven by a hydraulic motor that can be sized based on needs on pressure or volume, this model pumps 108 gpm more than the Gardner Denver (GD) 5 ½ × 8, and 73 gpm more than the GD 5 ½ × 10, according to Centerline President Cory Miller. Miller also says it’s 3 ½ inches shorter than the GD or American 5 × 6 and weighs 300 pounds less. Centerline’s model is weighing about 2300 pounds with the hydraulic drive motor.

Drilling Equipment Resources and Versa-Drill also showcased the Hyperformance Duplex Pump at the show. Versa-Drill will be the first drill rig manufacturer to mount the Hyperformance Duplex Pump on its drilling rig in the first quarter of 2026 (learn more in video here).

No. 8: King Oil Tools’ KD-12 Water Well Drilling Rig

King Oil Tools announced it will debut its newly designed KD-12 water well drilling rig this year.

Seeing the need for a small portable non-CDL rig that is unique and based on its experienced personnel, King Oil Tools wanted to start in rig manufacturing. The rig’s design and concept has been in development for about two years.

The rig announcement coincides with machine shop growth: In the first quarter of 2026, the company will open its 23,550-squarefoot facility which will house all 10 of its CNC machines, including a 64 Pallet Mazak Palletech System that will feed [4] 5-axis milling machines.

It will be one of the most state-of-the-art machine shops in northern Oklahoma and one of the largest, according to Jon Fuksa, general manager at King Oil Tools in Enid, Oklahoma.

This comes on the heels of the company moving into its newly built 24,000-square-foot facility in 2024. That facility boasts two 25-ton cranes that run the length of the building. It has three large drive-through bays with a 38-foot ceiling height and a large wash bay as well. King Oil Tools is running four Mazak CNC machines, a slant turn 450, two 5-axis mills, a Mazak Integrex 200 turning center, and a 6-foot × 12-foot plasma burning table.

At Groundwater Week 2025, King Oil Tools showcased multiple different swivels and tooling for the industry (see photo on right). This included tophead drive model swivels, side-inlet, grouting, jetting, and conventional drilling swivels. Included as well were its pipe spinners, breakout tongs, hoisting plugs, and newly designed shock subs.

Today, King Oil Tools focuses on manufacturing newly designed products for the water well, geothermal, geotechnical, construction, and mining sectors. It is also taking on large roles in the drill rig refurbishing/service side as well. To note, it is also one of, if not the top, suppliers in the industry for GEFCO, SpeedStar, and original George E. Failing drill parts.

No. 9: Nordic Drill’s Top Drive Tilt for Schramm T450

Nordic Drill will introduce the new Top Drive Tilt option for the Schramm T450 this year.

Already recognized as one of the most balanced and efficient rigs for 6-inch artesian drilling, the T450 will soon gain a new level of versatility. The Top Drive Tilt provides drillers with more ways to approach different conditions, offering smoother handling and greater flexibility on site. When used intelligently, this innovation will be a true advantage, making an already well-designed rig even more adaptable and productive.

Availability of the Top Drive Tilt option is expected in spring-summer 2026.

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Mike Price is the senior editor of Water Well Journal. In addition to his WWJ responsibilities, Price contributes to the Association’s scientific publications. He can be reached at mprice@ngwa.org, or at (800) 551-7379, ext. 1541.