Monitoring Well Installation

Expert Monitoring Well Installation

Monitoring wells are the foundation of any groundwater assessment or remediation program. Proper installation is critical for obtaining representative samples and reliable data. Our experienced team combines advanced drilling techniques with rigorous quality control to deliver monitoring wells that meet all regulatory standards and provide accurate, defensible data throughout their service life.

From single-well installations to complex multi-level monitoring networks, we have the expertise and equipment to handle projects of any scale. Our installations comply with EPA, ASTM, and state-specific requirements, ensuring your monitoring data will withstand regulatory scrutiny.

Installation Methods and Technologies

• Hollow-stem auger drilling for unconsolidated formations
• Direct-push technology for rapid installation in suitable soils
• Air rotary drilling for consolidated rock formations
• Sonic drilling for difficult lithologies and minimal waste
• Hand auger installation for limited access locations
• Angle drilling for beneath-building installations
• Multi-level monitoring systems for 3D plume delineation
• Vapor monitoring point installation

Our Comprehensive Installation Process

• Pre-Installation Planning: Utility clearance, permit acquisition, access agreements
• Site Preparation: Decontamination protocols, safety setup, equipment staging
• Borehole Advancement: Continuous sampling, lithologic logging, contamination screening
• Well Construction: Screen selection, filter pack design, annular seal placement
• Well Development: Surge and pump techniques to ensure formation connectivity
• Surface Completion: Protective casings, concrete pads, bollard installation
• Documentation: As-built diagrams, boring logs, installation reports
• Surveying: Professional survey of well locations and elevations

Well Construction Standards

Every monitoring well we install meets or exceeds industry standards for construction quality:

• Schedule 40 or 80 PVC materials (stainless steel available)
• Factory-slotted screens with appropriate slot sizes
• Filter pack design based on formation characteristics
• Bentonite seals to prevent cross-contamination
• Portland cement or neat cement grout to surface
• Flush-mount or stick-up completions as required
• Locking well caps and protective covers
• Permanent well identification tags

Specialized Installation Services

• Cluster Wells: Well groups for detailed plume delineation
• Bedrock Wells: Specialized techniques for fractured rock aquifers
• Injection Wells: Construction for remediation systems
• Recovery Wells: High-capacity wells for product recovery
• Piezometers: Pressure monitoring installations
• Lysimeters: Vadose zone monitoring systems
• Temporary Wells: Short-term monitoring solutions

Quality Assurance and Compliance

Our rigorous QA/QC program ensures every well meets specifications:

• Decontamination protocols between locations
• Real-time oversight by professional geologists
• Photographic documentation of construction stages
• Post-installation integrity testing
• Compliance with state well construction codes
• Professional engineer review when required

Post-Installation Services

• Well development to optimize sample quality
• Baseline sampling and analysis
• Aquifer testing and hydraulic characterization
• Well maintenance and rehabilitation
• Abandonment services for obsolete wells
• Monitoring network optimization
• Data management system setup
• Training for client sampling teams