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Groundwater Monitoring Wells

There's a lot of excitement in the Environmental Industry about GeoprobeŽ Prepacked Well Screens designed for setting Small Diameter Monitoring Wells. Prepacked screens consist of a standard, slotted PVC well screen pipe surrounded by a stainless steel mesh. Sand is packed between the slotted PVC and the stainless steel mesh. Since the sand is packed around the slotted PVC before the well screen is installed, using prepacks guarantees that All Prepackssand will be located directly around the well screen. This makes well installation quicker and more efficient than traditional methods.

Prepacked well screens are available in the following sizes

  • 2.0 in. ID x 3.4 in. OD
  • 1.5 in. ID x 2.5 in. OD
  • 1.0 in. ID x 2.5 in. OD
  • 0.75 in. ID x 1.4 in. OD
  • 0.5 in. ID x 1.4 in. OD

To install a monitoring well with these prepacks, probe rods are first driven to depth with a GeoprobeŽ probing machine. The well assembly is then lowered into the probe rod string with threaded PVC riser pipe. The 3.4 in. OD prepacked well assembly uses 2.0-inch Schedule 40 PVC riser pipe and is installed with 4.25-inch OD probe rods or through hollow stem augers. The 2.5-inch OD prepack well assembly uses 1.0-inch Schedule 40 PVC riser pipe and is installed with 3.25-inch OD probe rods. The smaller diameter prepacked well screen assembly uses 0.5-inch Schedule 80 PVC riser pipe and is installed with 2.25-inch OD probe rods.

Once the well assembly is lowered to the bottom of the probe rod string, the probe rods are retracted to a point above the screen. A sand barrier, installed directly above the well screen, prevents grout from entering the screens. This barrier can be created either by natural formation collapse (occurring during the initial probe rod retraction) or by gravity installation of fine-grade sand through the rod annulus. With the barrier in place, granular bentonite or bentonite slurry is then installed in the annulus to form a well seal.

GeoprobeŽ Small Diameter Monitoring Well Benefits include:

  • Quick and simple installation.
  • Prepacked Screen designed with 20/40 grade environmental sand.
  • No cuttings generated during installation.Grouting as tool string is retracted
  • Meets all requirements of a RCRA well with exception of the smaller diameter.
  • Permanent monitoring well installation with a GeoprobeŽ Machine.
  • Well seal and grouting meet EPA and ASTM D-5092 method requirements.
  • Minimal disturbance of natural formation conditions.
  • Can be developed, purged, and sampled using inexpensive tubing check valve system.
  • Minimal development and purge water generated for sampling reducing time requirements and disposal costs.
  • Uses standard above-ground or flush-mount well protectors.
  • Small diameter bladder pumps available for 1.0-inch wells

PRODUCT FEATURE

Tubing Check Valves
Choose from a variety of sizes for your specific groundwater sampling needs. Constructed of either stainless steel or PVC. The check valve is fully captured in the body of the valve so you don’t lose the ball! Great for cleaning out and developing small-diameter direct push tools and wells prior to either sampling or slug testing.

Tubing Check Valves
GW4210 ... for 0.5 in. ID Tools
GW4220 ... for 0.75 in. ID Tools
GW4230 ... for 1.0 in. ID Tools
GW4240 ... for 0.25 in. ID Tools


Read this article
about Direct Push monitoring wells.

When installed properly, these small diameter wells generally meet regulatory requirements for a permanent monitoring well. Always check with your local regulator for local well installation requirements.

© Copyright 2008 by Kejr, Inc. Geoprobe Systems® is a Division of Kejr, Inc. [more]