WorldWide Drilling Resource

26 AUGUST 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Outsmarting the Dirt ~ Groundwater Sampling Part 1 by Thomas D. Dalzell, CWD Director of Environmental Research AMS, Inc. For those readers who were able to read all three parts of Outsmarting the Dirt ~ Soil Sampling in previous issues of WWDR , some of the basic components are repeated in this article for consistency and applicability. Please consider any repetition as a reminder of the importance of all phases of sub- surface investigation and remediation. For new readers, the overall goal of sub- surface environmental drilling investiga- tions (EIs) is important to consider in every phase. The basic steps of ground- water sampling and groundwater mon- itoring well installation are emphasized here. EIs are conducted using a variety of sample collection techniques with tool- ing associated with direct push drilling technology and conventional drilling. Samples are collected for the rea- son that EIs are primarily used for two main purposes: 1) as a preliminary subsurface site investigation; and 2) for the develop- ment of remedial action plans (RAP). It is not adequate just to know there is contamination in the subsurface (soil and/or groundwater). The contamination type and concentration must be specif- ically identified; and the exact vertical and lateral extent of the soil and/or groundwater affected, the type of soil, and the characteristics of the ground- water lithologic zone must be deter- mined. Specifically, one of the main goals of EIs is to protect and restore ground- water resources. A second main goal is to restore or rehabilitate the property for future use where human health is protected, while using and occupying the property that was negatively im- pacted by the existence of subsurface contaminants. Ultimately, the entire project is con- ducted to give details closely represent- ing the actual subsurface conditions, by providing data to develop a strategy to restore/rehabilitate the property to protect human health and the environ- ment. Although some properties cannot be totally returned to pristine/untainted conditions, they can be improved so any negative effect at the surface will either be minimized to acceptable levels or totally eliminated. The subsurface soil can also be improved so groundwater quality will not get worse, spread/migrate deeper (vertically), or move laterally off the property. We’ll have more on groundwater sampling next month. Tom Thomas D. Dalzell may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Ronnie’s Real World Areyouwon- dering what this is going to be all about? Well, in a nutshell, it’s about my daily, weekly, monthly, and year- ly goings-on as Publisher of this wonderful mag- azineandall those wonderful folks I get to meet and speak with on a daily basis. I am so thankful for my opportunities in this terrific industry and for Doc Faison’s faith in me which has allowed me to grow and be part of it. I really am not sure if there are enough issues or pages for me to include every happy, sad, challenging moment because there are so many. But, I am certainly going to try very hard. This month’s issue is headed to the printer - so I am not going to have the opportunity to begin yet...but be sure to look for September’s issue and this column. How appropriate it will be to begin it in our HISTORY MONTH issue! Jubilee 2013 photo taken by Ed Moranski.