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(905) 238-5242
sales@waterra.com

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR GROUNDWATER MONITORING SINCE 1985
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SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR GROUNDWATER MONITORING SINCE 1985

How to Sample Groundwater in Monitoring Wells

Use Waterra Pumps and Equipment

How to Sample Groundwater in Monitoring Wells is the heart of our business! Waterra is a specialist in groundwater monitoring equipment. We currently carry four different systems or devices that could be used to collect samples of groundwater from exploratory or reconnaissance piezometers and monitoring wells. We can sample from as little as 0.5 inch (13 mm) inside diameter (ID) up to 4 inch (10 cm) ID monitoring wells. As always, a Waterra technician would be happy to help configure a system to your specific application.

Here are the four Options of systems or device that you could use to sample your well.

Option 1

Sampling with a Waterra Pump

A Waterra Pump is a simple, inexpensive way to sample a monitoring well. A Waterra Foot Valve is attached the bottom end of a length of Waterra Tubing. The Tubing – Foot Valve Combo is inserted into the well, Foot Valve first, until the valve is submerged beneath the water table. The tubing is then oscillated up and down over a short range of motion either by hand or with a Waterra Tubing Actuator. The Tubing – Foot Valve Combos are often dedicated to wells due to their low cost and to avoid cross-contamination or de-conning issues.

Waterra Pumps consist of three elements:

Waterra Foot Valve Waterra Tubing Waterra Tubing Actuator

How the Waterra Pump Works
Hydrolift Tubing Actuator

Procedure For Sampling With A Waterra Pump

  • Thread the Waterra Foot Valve onto matching Waterra tubing
  • Insert the tubing, valve first, into the well.
  • Feed the tubing down the well to the screened interval
  • Cut off the tubing leaving about 6 feet (2m) above the top of the well
  • Affix the Waterra Tubing Actuator to the well head
  • Connect the tubing to the actuating arm and also the fixed discharge point on the actuator
  • Begin pumping by turning on the Tubing Actuator or by hand by oscillating the tubing and foot valve assembly up and down in the monitoring well
  • Sample when your pre-sampling protocol is complete
Learn More about the Waterra Pump System

Waterra Words of Wisdom

  • Our most popular system is comprised of a D-25 Foot Valve, Standard Tubing and a Hydrolift Tubing Actuator
  • Mechanical Tubing Actuators allow field personnel to perform other duties
  • Waterra pumps can be used for well development and purging too
  • This system can be used for VOC sampling as well

You May Need

  • Waterra  0.45 Micron (FHT & FMT) Groundwater Filter
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Waterra Pump High Flow System
  • Waterra Pump Low Flow System
  • Waterra Pump Micro Flow System
  • Waterra Pump Standard Flow System

Option 2

Sampling with an eco Bailer

How to Sample Groundwater in Monitoring Wells and Piezometers can also be addressed by using an eco Bailer. This is an excellent option where a pump is not suited or available for sampling. Bailers are very simple devices that can be used to collect water samples from almost any size well and are suitable for most contaminated environments. Waterra offers both PVC and polyethylene bailers in a four diameters and various lengths with weighted and non-weighted options too. These disposable bailers are inexpensive and can either be dedicated to wells or disposed of after use.They are individually packaged; each with a bailer emptying spout.

Eco Bailer groundwater sampling carried by Waterra

Procedure for Sampling with a Waterra Bailer

  • Attach a cord or rope to the top loop of the bailer
  • Lower the bailer into the monitoring well by means of the cord or rope.
  • Allow the bailer to sink to the screened portion of the well
  • Pull the bailer up out of the well
  • Remove the sample from the bailer with the use of a bottom emptying device or it can be poured from the top of the bailer by carefully tipping it.
Learn More about Eco Bailers

Waterra Words of Wisdom

  • bailer work can be labour intensive depending on what you are trying to accomplish
  • bailers are not suitable for low-flow sampling
  • bailers can be dedicated to wells

You May Need

  • Clear PVC eco Bailer Groundwater Sampler

    Clear PVC eco Bailer Groundwater Sampler

    $USD 79.00$USD 174.30
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Graduated Tether – 3000 feet
  • Hydrocarbon Recovery eco Bailers

    Hydrocarbon Recovery eco Bailers

    $USD 105.00$USD 152.25
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Waterra  0.45 Micron (FHT & FMT) Groundwater Filter
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Option 3

Sampling with a Submersible Pump

Waterra carries Submersible Pumps that are another alternative for collecting groundwater samples. These pumps are portable and easy to operate. These pumps can be used to purge and sample monitoring wells 2″ or larger. A range of these products are available that can provide lifts of up to 90 feet. These units require a 12 Volt and Waterra Low Flow Tubing. Flow rates will vary with the lift, increasing lift decreases flow rates.

Waterra - Submersible Pump WP90-12V for Groundwater Sampling - Lifts up to 90 feet (27 m)

Procedure for Sampling with a Waterra Submersible Pump

  • Select a pump suitable for your application
  • Attached to the pump to the Waterra tubing
  • Lower the pump into the well to the desired depth
  • Connect the power supply to the pump cable
  • Turn the pump on to the desired flow rate
  • Sample when your pre-sampling protocol is complete
Learn More about Submersible Pumps

Waterra Words of Wisdom

We are happy to help you spec pumps for your groundwater sampling program

You May Need

  • Waterra  0.45 Micron (FHT & FMT) Groundwater Filter
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Waterra HDPE Low Flow Tubing

    Waterra HDPE Low Flow Tubing

    $USD 30.45$USD 132.25
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Waterra LDPE Low Flow Tubing

    Waterra LDPE Low Flow Tubing

    $USD 29.39$USD 132.25
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Option 4

Sampling with a Peristaltic Pump

If you are within suction lift capabilities of a peristaltic pump, generally 24 feet  (7.3 m)or so, you may want to consider a Peristaltic Pump. Lift capability is better at lower elevations where atmospheric pressure is higher. A rotating mechanism squeezes the Waterra Peristaltic Tubing and rolls forward creating a lower pressure zone behind the roller which basically sucks water up the sample tubing in the well.

Spectra Field-Pro Groundwater Sampling Peristaltic Pump

Procedure for Sampling with a Waterra Peristaltic Pump

  • Open the pump head and insert a length of Waterra Peristaltic Tubing into the pump head
  • Feed the Waterra sample tubing down the well to the desired length.
  • Insert the appropriately sized sample tubing into the peristaltic tubing sufficiently so that is secure and won’t fall down the well
  • Turn on the pump making sure that the rotation is pumping from the well
  • Sample when your pre-sampling protocol is complete
Learn More about Peristaltic Pumps

Waterra Words of Wisdom

Peristaltic pumps have a limited lift depending on your altitude; usually 24 feet  (7.3 m)or so

You May Need

  • Spectra Field-Pro Peristaltic Pump
  • Waterra  0.45 Micron (FHT & FMT) Groundwater Filter
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Waterra Peristaltic (Silicone) Tubing

    Waterra Peristaltic (Silicone) Tubing

    $USD 102.85$USD 120.70
    This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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