Piezometer Monitoring Services in Western Australia

In Western Australia’s mining, infrastructure and environmental sectors, monitoring pore water pressure is essential for ensuring site safety and proving compliance. Constructing a monitoring system using piezometers is one of the more effective methods of gathering this data.

Piezometers provide accurate, site-specific pressure data that helps engineers and asset owners detect risks in embankments, tailings dams, slopes and foundations.

At Monitel, we provide full-service piezometer solutions across WA. Our systems are tailored to suit site conditions and project requirements, with a focus on high-quality instrumentation and reliable data delivery.

What Are Piezometers Used For?

Piezometers measure pore water pressure within soil or rock, helping identify changes that could impact geotechnical stability. They are widely used in boreholes, tailings dams and settlement monitoring.

Pore pressure data is required under WA’s regulatory frameworks, whether it be federal, state or local government legislation. It is important to consult professionals, such as Monitel, to ensure that your project is gathering data sufficient for proving compliance. Our team has a thorough understanding of regulations across the state at all levels of government.

Our Piezometer Monitoring Services

Our team believes in a holistic approach to piezometer-based monitoring. We ensure that our partners are supported throughout the monitoring process, not just at the point of installation. Our services include:

• 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

At Monitel, we pride ourselves on a technology and product agnostic approach. We have to allegiances to any one brand or sensor and will always choose the product that best suits your site conditions and project constraints.

Types of Piezometer

With vast experience working on sites across WA, the Monitel team have found a range of piezometers that work best in our state’s unique environment. When constructing monitoring systems, these sensors are chosen for their accuracy, durability and suitability:

Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VWPs)

Known for being accurate and stable, a vibrating wire piezometer is ideal for long-term monitoring in boreholes, tailings dams and embankments. Their signal is resistant to moisture and interference, making them suitable for remote and automated systems.

Standpipe Piezometer

A standpipe piezometer is a simple, cost-effective option for manually tracking water levels in boreholes. These are best used for short- to medium-term projects where manual readings are sufficient.

Drive-In Piezometer

Installed without the need for pre-drilling, drive-in piezometers are well-suited to soft soils and tailings environments. They enable rapid deployment without causing excess site disturbance.

Strain Gauge Piezometers

These sensors use an electrical strain gauge to detect pressure changes. They offer a fast response time and are easily integrated with digital monitoring systems.

Pressure Transducer Piezometers

Designed to provide a continuous electrical output, pressure transducers are commonly used in borehole groundwater monitoring and environmental compliance applications. They provide real time data and can be installed at a wide range of depths.

High-Temperature Vibrating Wire Piezometers

A high-temperature VWP is purpose-built for environments where elevated temperatures could affect standard sensors, such as in tailings dams or buried industrial infrastructure. It functions in the same way as any other vibrating wire piezometer, boosted by modified materials for maximum performance.

Click here to read more about our piezometers.

How Monitel Uses a Piezometer

Monitel utilised a vibrating wire piezometer at the Alkimos Desalination Plant. The VWP was used to monitor changes in pore water pressure within the pre-load area of a proposed tank structure. The resulting data proved critical for the project, providing insight into how settlement and pore pressure interacted on the site.

Besides settlement monitoring, we can deploy piezometers within larger monitoring systems for activities including:

Tailings Dam Monitoring

Detecting excess pore pressure, seepage or changes in water content that could indicate a risk of instability. This monitoring is crucial for regulatory compliance and long-term asset integrity.

Borehole Monitoring

Piezometers are commonly used in boreholes to track groundwater levels and pore pressure changes over time. This data supports environmental assessments, dewatering programs and site stability analysis.

Monitel: Leading Piezometer Supplier

Monitel has extensive experience delivering piezometer-based monitoring solutions across Western Australia’s mining, infrastructure, and environmental sectors.

Using market leading technology, our systems are designed to deliver accurate, actionable data that supports safety and compliance.

To learn more about how Monitel can support your project with a piezometer monitoring system, you can speak with a member of our team at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.