Groundwater Monitor Wells

Any storage site (not just service stations) which has an Underground Storage Tank must have Groundwater Monitoring Wells Installed by June 1, 2011.   The installation: Must be completed by a duly qualified person Must be accompanied by a groundwater monitoring report. Groundwater monitoring wells are located outside of the tank excavation and enable sampling of ground water in areas with permeable soil, where the water table is below the level of the bottom of the tanks but within 6 metres of the surface.   The size, number and location of the wells are largely determined by the physical conditions of the site, so before installation, a site assessment will be necessary to determine things such as: Likely location and direction of flow of any exiting or potentially contaminated ground water flow located of all tanks, pipework, filling points and dispensers The Hydraulic gradient on the site The topographic slope and boundary conditions on the site Any variations, such as seasonal, that may occur to the sites hydraulic gradient The location of any barriers or preferential pathways, such as service trenches, which may be present in the substrate of the site Record of Groundwater Installation A duly qualified person (such as Petrolink) must provide the person responsible for the UPSS with records that demonstrate all relevant design, installation and monitoring requirements for groundwater wells have been met. This information will be provided by Petrolink in a comprehensive groundwater monitoring well report.   UPSS Regulation requires the groundwater in each monitoring well to be tested every six months. This test may include a visual assessment and the use of an interface probe monitoring device.

Testing and Sampling of Well Clause 21 (1)(a) of the UPSS Regulation requires the groundwater in each monitoring well to be tested every six months. This test may include a visual assessment and the use of an interface probe monitoring device.    Groundwater must also be sampled and analysed in the laboratory for the presence of hydrocarbons within 30 days of: The installation of a new groundwater monitoring well on the site The discovery that groundwater may be contaminated (as a result of the mandatory six monthly test, or other observations or probes) The discovery of a leak in the storage system as a result of either loss detection or loss monitoring procedures Remember:  the early detection of leaks is likely to significantly reduce the cost of remediation!   Petrolink are ‘duly qualified’ and can ensure your site is compliant with the new UPSS Regulations.