Extensive Groundwater Monitoring Program At Refinery In Australia

HydroTerra, exclusive distributor of Solinst products in Australia, was recently given the task of providing three CMT Multilevel Systems to an alumina refinery in Queensland, Australia.

The groundwater monitoring program at the refinery includes monitoring one 7-channel and two 3-channel CMT Systems, and also biannually sampling 90 groundwater monitoring wells located in and around the refinery.

Groundwater Sampling Setup Using Solinst Peristaltic Pump and Interface Meter

Groundwater Sampling Setup Using Solinst Peristaltic Pump and Interface Meter

Many of the wells are sampled using Solinst Peristaltic Pumps and depths measured using Solinst Interface Meters. Some of the deeper wells are sampled using low flow micro-purge methods. Equipment used includes Solinst 101 Water Level Meters, Tag Line, Bladder Pumps and the 464 Electronic Pump Control Unit.

Low Flow Sampling Setup with Solinst Bladder Pumps, Pump Control Unit, and Water Level Meter

Low Flow Sampling Setup with Solinst Bladder Pumps, Pump Control Unit, and Water Level Meter

Biannual sampling of the CMT Multilevel Systems is done using small diameter footvalves and PTFE tubing. Separate tubing is left dedicated in each of the channels. The Solinst 102 Narrow Cable Water Level Meter is used to measure depth to water in each of the CMT channels.

CMT Multilevel System with Dedicated Sample Tubing

CMT Multilevel System with Dedicated Sample Tubing

Sampling rounds take place in many unique locations around the refinery, including coastal and inland. Field staff did encounter some difficult conditions, but were able to get the job done!

Sampling a Groundwater Well Surrounded by Flood Water

Sampling a Groundwater Well Surrounded by Flood Water

Groundwater Monitoring Well on North East Coast of Queensland

Groundwater Monitoring Well on North East Coast of Queensland

Solinst thanks Stephanie Stone of HydroTerra, for providing the details of this project.