When it comes to environmental drilling, monitoring groundwater is critical for determining if contamination has occurred or for measuring groundwater levels in a certain area. It is necessary for both business concerns as well as public health reasons. This type of monitoring is done for private, government, and industrial entities. Monitoring well installations need to be installed by professionals to meet legal and regulatory standards.

What Types of Monitoring Wells Are There?

Generally, companies need three types of monitoring wells drilled:

• Shallow piezometers - This type of well is good for measuring water pressure at a given depth as well as taking water samples. The well has a solid pipe construction that does not allow water penetration from the sides. Water only enters from the bottom of the pipe and this allows for reading pressures at the bottom of the well.
  
  
• Water-table wells - This type of well goes down into the water table and measures where the top is at this particular location. Water can enter all along the pipe and where it settles is the water table level.
  
  
• Groundwater monitoring well - This type of well is installed in a aquifer at a certain depth. These wells are used to collect water samples to determine if the groundwater is contaminated. 
  
  

When boring the holes for the well installations, the choice of drills and rigs will depend on the subsurface formations and any contaminants in the way.

• Manual Auguring - Shallow installations can actually be done by hand using a manual auger. Whether driven completely by hand or using a motorized auger, this method is only suitable when a single well is being dug at a very shallow level. For most commercial or government installation, this is not an acceptable method.
  
  
• Air Rotary Drilling - When there is a need to go further into the ground, air rotary drilling is a good option. This technology uses compressed air to drive the drill into the ground. It also uses air to pull debris and contaminants out of the well. This type of drilling provides a clean bore.
  
  
• Hollow Stem Auger Drilling - Sometimes, samples need to be taken as the rig drills the hole. Using a hollow stem auger makes this happen. The samples can come from the material in the hollow stem. Once all samples are taken, the well can be completed for monitoring purposes.
  
  
• Direct Push - The drilling rig pushes steel boring rods into the soil. This method is best used for taking samples, but is also acceptable for drilling a well with small diameter walls.
  
  
• Mud Rotary - When installing groundwater monitoring wells, mud rotary is a great option. Not only is it one of the fastest techniques, but it also lets you obtain the best penetration rates in hard, difficult geological formations.

Questions to Ask Environmental Drilling Company When Talking About Monitor Well Installations

When getting ready to install a monitor well, the drill operator will need to know a bit of information. This information helps to decide where and how to drill the monitor wells.

• Is the groundwater in the area shallow or deep? Shallow wells are 20 feet or less from the surface. A water-table well may be enough.
  
  
• What kind of soil do you have? Sandy, hard rock, clay, etc. The type of soil will determine the type of well and the type of drilling necessary to set up the monitoring well.
  
  
• Do you need a single well or multiple wells? This is entirely dependent on the situation. The number of wells and the spacing is usually determined by an environmental engineer or a government agency.

Once you have a well installed, you need to have a lock installed over it. This prevents deliberate or accidental contamination of the well and the groundwater you are monitoring.

Who is one of the best environmental drilling firms serving Texas, New Mexico or Oklahoma?

If you live in Texas, New Mexico or Oklahoma, and require monitoring wells drilled, you need a drilling company who is very familiar with the area and experts in the environmental drilling field. Talon/LPE Drilling Service is one of the top environmental drilling businesses in the tri-state area. Boasting more than 100 years of combined experience drilling throughout Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, Talon/LPE provides service to companies, government agencies, and private parties. We have the experience, equipment, and expertise you need for your next drilling project.