Best Practices for Installing Piezometers: How Monitel Creates Effective Monitoring Systems

How to Install a Piezometer: Creating Effective Monitoring Systems

Certain steps should be taken when installing a piezometer to ensure the system produces accurate, reliable data over time.

At Monitel, we design and implement piezometer systems around site conditions, monitoring duration and compliance needs. We tailor our installation process to each project, ensuring that all systems meet the needs and goals of their respective sites.

This article outlines the key considerations and practices that go into each installation. If you would like more information, you can contact a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

1. Understanding the Site

Before installing any sensor, we carry out a thorough review of your site, assessing conditions such as:

  • Soil or rock type
  • Groundwater depth and behaviour
  • Any construction or operational activity in the area

We also research the federal, state and local government regulations that apply to you, such as WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022 or DWER licence requirements. This ensures that data from the monitoring system can be used to prove your compliance.

Understanding these factors helps determine the type of piezometer needed (vibrating wire, drive-in, standpipe etc.) and the best installation method.

2. Selecting the Right Sensor

Different types of piezometers suit different site and project conditions. For example:

  • Vibrating wire piezometer: suited for long-term, automated monitoring and resistant to cable interference.
  • Standpipe piezometer: useful for short-term or manual level checks.
  • Drive-in piezometer: capable of quick deployment in soft soils or tailings.
  • Strain gauge and pressure transducer piezometers support real-time data and are suitable for integration into digital systems.

Monitel pride ourselves on our product agnostic approach – meaning we select the best sensor for the project and are not tied to any brand allegiance.

For more information about how to choose the best piezometer for your site, you can click here.

3. Drilling and Borehole Preparation

For borehole monitoring projects, we ensure:

  • That the diameter and depth are correct for the sensor type
  • Clean drilling methods are used to avoid contamination of the sensor zone
  • Backfilling with graded sand and bentonite seals, to isolate the sensor and prevent cross-contamination
  • Accurate placement of filter tips at the intended measurement zone

4. Cable Protection and Termination

Our team understands that proper cable management is critical when using a vibrating wire piezometer. We ensure:

  • Cables are routed securely through protected zones
  • Any splices are sealed and documented
  • Termination points are housed in weatherproof enclosures or junction boxes for easy access and minimal damage risk

5. Data Integration and Calibration

After installation, we connect all sensor to data loggers and check signals for their accuracy and reliability.

Our systems allow for:

  • Automated data logging
  • Threshold alerts to support early intervention
  • Integration with larger and pre-existing monitoring platforms

6. Ongoing Support and Maintenance

Montiel recognise that your project will require accurate data long after the installation period. As such, we provide the following services to ensure your monitoring system lasts well into the future:

  • Routine system checks
  • Sensor recalibration
  • Support with compliance reporting or audits
  • Troubleshooting for anomalies or site changes

Monitel: Leading Piezometer Supplier

Proper installation of piezometers is essential to the success of any monitoring system. Our team applies best practices, adapts to site conditions and uses market leading sensor technology to deliver reliable and actionable data.

Whether standpipe or vibrating wire, piezometer installations must be designed to support safety, performance and regulatory success.

If you would like assistance with designing and installing a piezometer focused monitoring system, you can contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

Pore Pressure Trends: What to Watch for When Reading Piezometer Data

Pore Pressure Trends: How to Read Piezometer Data

Piezometers are a key tool in geotechnical and environmental monitoring, providing a direct insight into pore water pressure. Knowing how to properly interpret the data will help you identify emerging risks and implement appropriate solutions.

At Monitel, we help clients across Western Australia understand the meaning behind their pressure readings. Our monitoring systems are ideal for deployment in boreholes, tailings dams and other geotechnical fields.

This article outlines the typical trends you may observe in piezometer data. If you would like more information about piezometers and monitoring systems, you can contact a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

What is Pore Pressure?

Pore pressure is the pressure exerted by groundwater within the pores of soil and rock. It plays a critical role in determining the effective stress of the ground, which directly impacts the strength and stability of countless structures. In simple terms, the higher the pore pressure, the less load the soil can support.

This is particularly concerning in tailings dams, excavations, and other high-risk sites, where a sudden pressure increase may cause instability or seepage. Monitoring pressure over time helps engineers and asset owners detect early warning signs of danger, verify design assumptions and ensure structures remain safe under changing conditions.

What Does Piezometer Data Mean?

Steady Pore Pressure

A flat, stable trend a long period could be a sign of equilibrium. This might mean that:

  • Groundwater levels are not fluctuating significantly
  • The structure or embankment is performing as expected
  • There is no major seepage

These long periods of stability are common in dry seasons or after a structure has finished settling.

Gradual Increase in Pressure

A slower, steady rise may be caused by:

  • Seasonal rainfall
  • Changes in loading
  • Nearby construction impacting groundwater behaviour

A gradual increase does not necessarily mean an immediate danger. However, it should be reviewed against design thresholds and compared to rainfall, construction stages or nearby bore data.

Sharp Spike in Pressure

A more sudden upward trend should be treated as a warning. Possible causes include:

  • Rapid water ingress or flooding
  • Blocked drainage paths or filter zones
  • Seepage through a dam wall or foundation

In tailings dams especially, sudden changes will require an immediate investigation. Monitoring systems should be configured to send automated alerts, triggered when pressure reaches a set limit.

Pressure Drop

A sizeable decrease could result from:

  • Dewatering operations
  • Drawdown in adjacent bores
  • Drainage working as intended

Drops are not always negative, so should be reviewed in context. If the drop is too quick or sustained overtime, it may indicate over-drainage or structural settlement.

Cyclical or Fluctuating Data

If a site is influenced by tides, pumping or rainfall, data may show regular fluctuations in pressure.

The cycle should be cross checked against known works or natural events to ensure that these are indeed the cause. If cycles change in frequency or intensity, this may suggest a shift in site conditions.

Monitel: Leading Piezometer Supplier

Pore pressure readings will tell you how water is moving through the ground and how surrounding structures might respond. Interpreting this piezometer data correctly can prove the difference in preventing failures and ensure compliance with WA’s regulatory requirements.

Monitel is proud to offer a wide range of piezometers, constructing monitoring systems on sites across Western Australia. Once installed, we can help you interpret the data to ensure efficient:

If you would like more information about interpreting piezometer data or building a monitoring system, you can contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call us on (08) 6219 8284.

How Piezometers Help You Meet Regulatory Requirements in Western Australia

Using a Piezometer to Meet Regulatory Requirements in Western Australia

Monitoring pore water pressure is a legal requirement on many Western Australian sites, particularly in mining, construction and infrastructure.

Piezometers play a key role in meeting these obligations, gathering the necessary data whilst also offering:

  • Reliable, long term monitoring
  • A minimal power consumption
  • Remote-data reporting

This article outlines key regulations in WA, where piezometers are required and how we can support compliance on your site. If you would prefer to speak with a member of our team, you can contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

What are the Water Pressure Regulations in Western Australia?

State and federal regulations govern water pressure and ground stability in Western Australia. As many of these regulate water pressure within soil or rock, a piezometer is a suitable tool for proving compliance.

Important requirements to consider include:

  • Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022
    • Requires mine operators to ensure pit walls, tailings facilities and other critical structures are monitored and maintained in a safe condition. This includes implementing suitable instrumentation, such as piezometers, to assess changes in ground or pore pressure.
  • Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995
    • Mandates regular analysis of pit wall and tailings dam stability. Piezometer data is often central to this, helping engineers determine when corrective action is needed before instability occurs.
  • Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 & EP Act 1986
    • While these primarily target airborne emissions, the broader definition of “noise” includes vibration and in some cases, ground movement related to hydrological changes. Proper pore pressure monitoring may be referenced in mitigation strategies or compliance assessments.
  • Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) Guidelines
    • In environmental assessments and licensing, DWER often requires proponents to monitor groundwater conditions around sensitive areas. Vibrating wire piezometers are a standard method of capturing this data.

What Industries Require a Piezometer for Monitoring?

The Monitel team has deployed piezometers to gather data that proves a site meets regulatory expectations. This includes in conditions such as:

  • Tailings dams – monitoring seepage and excess pore pressure that could compromise structural integrity.
  • Mine pit walls – detecting changes in groundwater pressure that could trigger slope instability.
  • Infrastructure corridors – particularly for rail, roads or tunnels constructed in soft or saturated ground.

At the Alkimos Desalination Plant, we utilised a vibrating wire piezometer to understand soil stability in an area designated for a tank structure. This data was not only crucial for the viability of the project itself, but also in ensuring all stakeholders had worked in line with best practices and regulations.

How Monitel Supports Compliance

We provide a holistic approach to piezometer-based monitoring in WA, ensuring that our clients not only gather high-quality data, but also meet their regulatory obligations. Our support includes:

  • Tailored design of monitoring systems, centred around your site conditions and reporting requirements
  • Installation of vibrating wire, standpipe, pressure transducer or drive-in piezometers
  • Automated and remote data reporting to support timely alerts and clear documentation
  • Ongoing reporting and technical support to assist with audits, inspections or internal compliance reviews

Monitel: Perth Based Piezometer Supplier

Monitel aligns piezometer selection, installation and reporting with current Western Australian regulations to ensure that your site remains safe, stable and compliant.

This support means that piezometer monitoring is not just a requirement—but a valuable tool for informed, proactive site management.

If you’re unsure whether your current pore pressure monitoring system meets regulatory expectations, you can contact a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

Different Types of Piezometers: Choosing the Right Sensor for Your Project

Choosing the Right Piezometer for Your Project

Pore pressure plays a critical role in the behaviour of soil and rock, especially in large infrastructure, mining and geotechnical projects. Choosing the right piezometer can prove the difference in monitoring that pressure accurately and effectively.

Monitel designs and installs monitoring systems using a wide range of piezometer types suited to the specific needs of each site. Our systems can assist in detecting seepage, assessing stability and preventing failures in structures ranging form embankments to tailings dams.

This article explains six piezometer types commonly used in Western Australia. If you are still unsure what suits your project best, you can speak with a member of the Monitel team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.

Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VWP)

VWPs attach a tensioned wire to a diaphragm. When pore pressure changes, the diaphragm moves and alters the wire’s frequency, which is then converted into a signal representing pressure. VWPS offer remote data access, allowing quick responses to anomalies issues and analysis of data trends.

The Monitel team deploys VWPs at sites across Western Australia, notably at the Alkimos Desalination Plant. Installed at specified locations, VWP data proved important in understanding soil stability in an area earmarked for a tank structure.

Applications:

  • Long-term geotechnical monitoring
  • Embankments, dams and boreholes
  • Sites requiring automated or remote data access

Advantages:

  • High accuracy and long-term stability
  • Immune to electrical interference and cable length issues
  • Suitable for use with data loggers and cloud-based systems

Standpipe Piezometer

In a standpipe piezometer, a slotted PVC pipe is installed in a borehole. Groundwater enters the pipe and the water level is measured manually using a dip tape or water level meter, providing a representation of pore water pressure at that depth.

Unlike a VWP, these sensors do not provide real time, remote data. It is also important to note that they do not always perform reliable when measuring rapid pressure changes.

Our team will deploy a standpipe piezometer where manual readings are sufficient or even more suitable. This is often during basic groundwater level tracking for excavation or site preparation.

Applications:

  • Short- to medium-term groundwater monitoring
  • Projects with limited budget or where automation is unnecessary

Advantages:

  • Simple to install
  • Low cost
  • Useful for checking static water levels over time

High-Temperature Vibrating Wire Piezometer

High temperature VWPs are specially designed to operate in high-temperature environments, boosted by modified materials and thermal protection. They work in the same way as any other vibrating wire piezometer.

Monitel has utilised these sensors in tailings dams or buried environments where pore water temperatures exceed 80°C.

Applications:

  • Tailings dams with elevated pore temperatures
  • Other geothermal or high-heat industrial applications

Advantages:

  • Performs reliably in temperatures where standard sensors would fail
  • Maintains signal integrity in extreme conditions
  • Ideal for long-term projects with thermal variation

Drive-In Piezometer

Drive-in piezometers are pre-assembled and driven into the ground using rods or CPT rigs, without the need for drilling or casing. They measure pore water pressure at the depth of the installation. These sensors are best suited to soft soils and are ideal for rapid deployment in tailings dams or embankments.

We will often deploy a drive-in piezometer where conventional boreholes are not possible. This may be on a site with wet foundations or in soft tailings.

Applications:

  • Soft ground
  • Tailings dams
  • Sites with limited access or where quick installation is critical

Advantages:

  • Quick and straightforward installation
  • Minimal site disturbance
  • Suitable for rapid-deployment monitoring programs

Strain Gauge Piezometer

Similar to a VWP, strain gauge piezometers use an electrical strain gauge to measure diaphragm deflection. As pore pressure changes, the strain on the diaphragm alters the electrical resistance. The strain is then converted into a measurable signal.

It is worth noting that strain gauge piezometers are more susceptible to electrical noise and power loss than VWPs.

Monitel will often choose this sensor in environments where pressure changes quickly. This may be beneath vibrating machinery or within variable load zones.

Applications:

  • Projects that require a sensor with fast response times
  • Projects with monitoring systems that are electrically integrated

Advantages:

  • Fast reaction time
  • Compatible with digital systems
  • Provides continuous electrical output

Pressure Transducer Piezometers

Pressure transducer piezometers convert pressure into a continuous electrical signal using strain gauge or MEMS technology. This sensor integrates well with automated systems, as the signal is transmitted in real time.

The Monitel team choose pressure transducer piezometers for environmental boreholes, water management sites and compliance projects. Their capacity for continuous monitoring makes them a suitable option for these activities.

Applications:

  • Borehole water level monitoring
  • Environmental and groundwater compliance projects

Advantages:

  • Real-time output for quick intervention
  • Integrates with cloud-based monitoring
  • Suited to both shallow and deep installations

Monitel: Perth Based Piezometer Supplier

Our team works closely with site managers and engineers to select the most appropriate sensors for your project. We make sure to consider site conditions, monitoring duration, regulatory requirements and any other critical factors.

We also stock other models of piezometer including hydraulic and compact models

At Monitel, we pride ourselves on a technology-agnostic approach – meaning that we’re not tied to any one product or brand. We will always choose the sensor that meets your project’s needs, not ours.

If you would like advice about the piezometer thats best fits your project, you can contact a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.