DRAINAGE ENGINEERING - CE442

Presentation No. 2 (1 hr)

CLO Description Taxonomy Level PLO
CATAGORIZE the situations that necessitate
1 C4* 4**
drainage of agricultural lands-
TOPIC: Observation wells and Piezometers

* C4 - Analysis: Understanding both the content and structure of material.

[Analyze, Categorize, Compare, Contrast, Differentiate, Discriminate, Outline]

•** PLO 4 – Investigation: An ability to investigate complex engineering problems in a

methodical way including literature feedback, design and conduct of experiments, analysis and
interpretation of experimental data, and synthesis of information to derive valid conclusions.

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Ashfaque A. Memon

Courtesy:
1. Drainage Manual- A Water Resources Technical Publication, Revised Reprint 1993
2. Installing Equipment for the Hydric Soil Technical Standard by Mike Vepraskas, NC State Univ. April 2005
2 Fair Use Notice

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attendees of the class being conducted by the presenter.

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3 After completion of this class discussion the students will
be able to:

 Explain the difference between shallow monitoring wells and piezometers

 describe the construction method, location and installation of observation
wells and piezometers
 To read water levels

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4 Introduction
Observation wells and Piezometers are used to:
 provide information about the character of soil materials; and
 collect periodic observation of fluctuations, and pressures of groundwater
bodies.

Observations for groundwater information serve three purposes:

1. To measure the static water level;
2. To measure the pressure of the water at a given point in an aquifer; and
3. To sample water quality.

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5 Difference Between Shallow Monitoring Wells and Piezometers
 Monitoring wells and piezometers are open pipes set in the ground.
 They passively allow water levels to rise and fall inside them.
 Shallow monitoring wells allow penetration of water through perforations
along most of the length of the pipe below ground.
 This kind of well sometimes is called an open-sided well or observation well
or perforated pipe.
 Piezometers allow penetration of water only at the bottom of the pipe,
either directly into the bottom or along a short length of perforation near
the bottom.
 water level in a piezometer reflects the water pressure only at the bottom of
the pipe.
 Piezometers are sometimes called cased wells.

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 Difference between shallow monitoring wells and piezometers (continued...)

6  Monitoring wells generally extend through more than one water bearing
layer and therefore cannot be used to detect perched water tables,
whereas piezometers can.

 Water pressures in the soil vary in response to several factors, including

depth, differential permeability of strata, and water flow.

 These factors cannot be differentiated with a monitoring well because

different water pressures are intercepted at many depths within the same
instrument and cannot be sorted out.

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7 Construction of piezometers and shallow monitoring wells (SMW)
Monitoring wells and piezometers consist of four
main parts:
1) Well point
2) Screen
3) Riser
4) Well cap (Fig.1)

Other items that may be used in installation:

5) Sealant to prevent water flowing along
the sides of the pipe,
6) Sand to ensure hydrologic contact and to
filter out fines that move toward the well,
7) Filter sock of geotextile to further filter out
fine materials, and
8) Concrete protection pads.
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8

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9 Location of Observation Holes
 where water table can be readily observed.
 where the effect of ponds, lakes, road borrow ditches, canals, laterals,
rivers, and similar water-holding reservoirs on the general water table can
be eliminated.
 should be located on a fence line to ensure their permanence.
 should be located near an all-weather road so they can be easily reached
at regular intervals throughout the year.
 should not be located on high, non-irrigated divides.
 can be drawn both parallel and perpendicular to the surface slopes.

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10 Location of Piezometers
 Generally, observation wells will be located based on landform and local
topography.
 located where information on vertical movement of water is needed.
 always installed in clusters of two or more, each terminating at a different
depth

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11 Installation of Observation Holes
 depends on character of the material, required depth of hole, and the
equipment and personnel available.
 2- to 4-inch diameter hole is usually sufficient, made by either hand auger
or any other mean, depends on the depth and soil texture.
 After hole made, it is pumped until the discharge is clear.
 The annular space around the casing should then be filled with sand
(passing the No. 8 sieve and retained on the No. 18 sieve)
 A concrete collar should be placed around the pipe at the ground
surface if the installation is to be permanent.
 The depth of an observation hole usually should be below the lowest
expected water level.
 A careful log of each hole should be made showing soil texture, structure,
color, etc.
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12 Installation of Piezometers
 For shallow installations, pipe from 10 mm (3/8 inch) up to l00 mm (4-inch)
diameter can be used.
 However, 25 to 50 mm (1 - 2 inch) diameter pipe has been found to be the
easiest to install.
 For depths < 1.5 m (5 ft), alternate auguring and driving of the piezometer
pipe provides a good seal.

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13

An Observation Well

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14

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15

ANY
QUESTION
???

Thanks

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