Why All WA Sites Should Use A Vibrating Wire Piezometer

Western Australia’s natural environment presents a unique and complex set of monitoring challenges. Whether it be high temperatures in the Pilbara or corrosive groundwater around coastal sites, sensors endure harsh conditions to gather accurate long-term data. This is where the vibrating wire piezometer (VWP) stands out.

Used to monitor pore water pressure in soil and rock, VWPs are a staple in resources, civil construction and environmental projects across WA. Their durability, reliability and resilience to climate extremes make them one of the most trusted sensor types for long-term ground behaviour monitoring.

In this article, we explain why vibrating wire piezometers are so well-suited to WA’s conditions and how our team integrate them into effective, regulation-compliant monitoring systems.

What Is a Vibrating Wire Piezometer?

A vibrating wire piezometer measures pore water pressure using a small, tensioned wire housed in a sealed sensor body. As groundwater pressure changes, the sensor’s diaphragm deflects, altering the tension of the wire. The tension change shifts the wire’s natural frequency, which is then recorded and converted into a pressure reading.

VWPs are most commonly installed in boreholes, tailings dams, earth embankments and foundation zones. Their stability and noise resistance make them ideal for long-term and remote monitoring applications.

Why Vibrating Wire Piezometers Work Well in WA

1. Highly Durable in Extreme Heat

In WA’s northern regions, monitoring equipment must be robust. The Pilbara and Kimberly regularly experience summer temperatures exceeding 45°C and a good vibrating wire piezometer is built to handle those conditions. For even harsher environments, Monitel offers high-temperature VWPs that can reliably perform in temperatures up to 250°C. These are constructed with reinforced materials suited to buried infrastructure and deep tailings dams.

2. Stable and Noise-Resistant in Remote Areas

Many Western Australian sites are located far from power and network infrastructure. VWPs produce a frequency-based signal that is resistant to signal degradation over long cable runs and unaffected by electrical interference. In simpler terms, they are perfect for remote monitoring.

In addition, they are also compatible with automated loggers and telemetry systems, reducing your need for frequent site visits.

3. Minimal Drift for Long-Term Projects

From civil infrastructure builds to tailings storage facilities, any long term monitoring program requires reliable data. VWPs exhibit minimal sensor drift, meaning their readings remain reliable for extended periods of time without the need for recalibration. This can be vital in satisfying long-term compliance obligations under WA’s mining and environmental frameworks.

4. Flexible Installation Options

A vibrating wire piezometer can be installed in a wide range of geological settings, from hard rock to soft tailings. At Monitel, we’ve deployed them:

• In boreholes for groundwater pressure monitoring
• Embedded in tailings embankments for seepage and uplift detection
• Beneath settlement zones at major construction sites

Because they can be grouted in place or installed in sand-packed zones, VWPs are compatible with various borehole designs and casing types.

Why Monitel Recommends VWPs

At Monitel, we stand firm in our technology-agnostic approach. We never base a decision on brand allegiance or supplier preference, instead choosing a sensor to suit the needs of your project.

Vibrating wire piezometers often form the backbone of our monitoring systems. Their resilience in the field, capacity for automation and proven performance in WA conditions make them a reliable choice for many clients. We stock a diverse range of VWPs, including:

• W9 – for general-purpose pore pressure monitoring in boreholes
• High-Temperature VWPs – for tailings dams and buried infrastructure
• Compact VWPs – ideal for small-diameter boreholes or constrained installations

Click here to view the full range and learn more about each model.

Regulatory Relevance in WA

Vibrating wire piezometers play an important role in demonstrating compliance with multiple Western Australian regulations:

• Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022
• Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995
• DWER License and Environmental Guidelines

Monitel’s VWPs support early detection of rising pore pressures, enabling prompt interventions and reducing the risk of structural failure or regulation breach.

Need Help Selecting the Right VWP? Contact Monitel Today

Whether you’re monitoring a single borehole or looking to implement a large-scale system, our team are here to assist. We’ll help you choose the right vibrating wire piezometer, complete the installation process and ensure your project meets WA’s regulatory requirements.

For more information, you can contact our team on (08) 6219 8284 or at admin@monitel.com.au.