Groundwater accounts for 30% of water consumption in Australia, underpinning agriculture, mining, urban supply and ecological systems across the country. Managing that resource responsibly depends on consistent, long-term monitoring data collected across aquifers at a national scale. This article explains how national groundwater monitoring networks operate, how they connect to project-specific compliance programs and what engineers and environmental managers need to consider when designing systems that align with both.

Overview: Why National Groundwater Monitoring Networks Matter

National groundwater monitoring networks provide a long-term, independent record of groundwater levels and groundwater quality across major aquifers and groundwater management areas. These networks are operated by government agencies at State, Territory and Commonwealth level, and they serve as reference datasets that no single project could replicate on its own.

Groundwater monitoring helps inform water allocation plans and assess environmental impacts. The national groundwater monitoring network provides data for sustainable use of groundwater resources, supporting cumulative impact assessment for mining, infrastructure and agricultural water use. Without regional context, project-scale monitoring captures local effects (drawdown around a single pit, for example) but cannot demonstrate whether those effects remain within acceptable regional limits.

Groundwater monitoring networks also provide essential data on aquifer behaviours that underpin water resource planning, environmental approvals and long-term resource accounting. Monitel operates in the project-scale space, designing groundwater monitoring instrumentation that complements national and State networks rather than duplicating them.

What Is a National Groundwater Monitoring Network?

A national monitoring network is a coordinated set of observation bores, instrumentation and data systems used to track groundwater levels, pressures and water quality across a jurisdiction over decades. In Australia, the national groundwater system is assembled from State and Territory monitoring bores and datasets, coordinated at Commonwealth level by agencies including the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia.

The National Groundwater Information System tracks bore locations and water qualities nationwide. Data helps track groundwater levels and assess water quality over time, with core variables including:

• Groundwater level or hydraulic head (referenced to mAHD or Top of Casing)
• Salinity (electrical conductivity)
• Selected chemical indicators (pH, major ions)
• Temperature in some networks

Observation bores are generally non-pumping, purpose-built monitoring bores, often nested at multiple depths within key aquifers to measure vertical gradients. Networks are designed for stability so that long-term trends in aquifer storage and groundwater quality can be reliably detected, not masked by artefacts of construction or instrumentation changes.

Australian Context: Key National and State Systems

Groundwater monitoring in Australia is primarily run by States and Territories, with national aggregation by the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia. This structure means that operational field measurements remain the responsibility of State water agencies, while Commonwealth databases provide the nationally accessible layer.

The National Groundwater Information System (NGIS) is a spatial database containing bore locations, construction details, lithology logs, hydrostratigraphy logs and associated groundwater datasets. NGIS holds data for more than 850,000 bore locations nationally. The Australian Groundwater Explorer provides a web portal allowing users to visualise selected groundwater monitoring wells, download water level and salinity time-series and view landscape context layers without needing gis software.

Individual States maintain their own local groundwater monitoring networks. Victoria’s State Observation Bore Network (SOBN) feeds into its Water Measurement Information System (WMIS), with approximately 511 telemetered bores and over 2,300 groundwater quality sites. Similar systems operate across WA, Queensland, NSW and other jurisdictions.

In Western Australia, approximately 78% of all licensed water comes from groundwater. Perth relies on groundwater for up to 40% of its drinking water, much of it drawn from the Gnangara groundwater system, which supplies a substantial amount of Perth’s water. Perth’s groundwater system also supports important wetlands and ecosystems, making robust monitoring essential for balancing urban supply with environmental protection.

Design Principles of National Monitoring Networks

National-scale network design is a trade-off between spatial coverage, temporal resolution and available budgets. Networks are typically stratified by:

• Key aquifers (confined and unconfined)
• Groundwater management units
• Priority ecosystems (groundwater-dependent ecosystems, Ramsar wetlands, spring complexes)

Bores are located along hydrogeological boundaries, near major pumping centres, recharge zones and along key flow paths-not on a simple grid. In Victoria’s SOBN, for example, three bores per aquifer are used to determine gross flow direction across catchments. Bore spacing is often measured in kilometres, with denser coverage near areas of high extraction or ecological sensitivity.

Groundwater monitoring involves drilling boreholes for water sampling and level measurement, with well construction standards specifying sealed casing, appropriate screen intervals, bentonite or cement grout seals, and non-contaminating materials. Government bores are typically read at intervals from hourly (automated loggers) to monthly or quarterly (manual dips), with higher frequency in stressed systems.

Groundwater Variables and Monitoring Data Collected

National groundwater monitoring focuses on a core set of quantitative indicators suitable for long-term trend analysis.

Groundwater quality monitoring includes testing for 40 parameters or more in areas of elevated risk. Groundwater monitoring assesses water quality for contaminants like heavy metals, and also assesses contamination from heavy metals and pesticides where agricultural or industrial land use creates a contamination risk.

Time-series data are commonly collected via pressure transducers or vibrating wire piezometers connected to data loggers. Datasets include metadata-bore ID, coordinates, aquifer assignment, screen interval, reference level, instrumentation type and sampling method-which are essential for model calibration. Where an older version of a bore construction record exists, it should be investigated and reconciled against current conditions before the data is analysed.

Global Perspective: The Global Groundwater Monitoring Network (GGMN)

National networks across many countries now contribute to global groundwater assessments. The Global Groundwater Monitoring Network (GGMN), coordinated by IGRAC, is an international framework connecting national groundwater monitoring programmes.

In 2020, IGRAC compiled global groundwater monitoring data, profiling approximately 81 countries and summarising spatial coverage, temporal resolution and network density. Since 2021, the GGMN Portal has been integrated into the Global Groundwater Information System (GGIS), supporting combined data viewing. National agencies can link their monitoring data into GGMN to support SDG 6 reporting and improve global understanding of groundwater trends.

Internationally, the National Groundwater Monitoring Programme in New Zealand assesses groundwater quality trends in a comparable regulatory context. Satellite data from NASA infers groundwater changes via gravity field measurements, providing a complementary science tool at continental scales. Satellite data from NASA has been used to infer groundwater changes in the Great Artesian Basin, a resource of critical importance to communities and operations across the nation. These global and remote-sensing approaches complement but do not replace ground-based monitoring, which remains necessary for the quantity and quality detail that water monitoring demands.

National Networks vs Project-Specific Groundwater Monitoring

National networks focus on long-term regional trends. Project-specific monitoring programs focus on local impacts and environmental compliance. The differences are significant:

• Spatial density: National bores may be spaced tens of kilometres apart. Project networks install dense borefields around pits, tailings storage facilities, tunnels and dewatering systems.
• Parameters: Project monitoring often includes dissolved metals, hydrocarbons, turbidity and site-specific tracers not routinely collected in national networks.
• Frequency: Project networks commonly operate at hourly or sub-daily frequency via automated telemetry to support real-time operational decisions and trigger action levels. Automated monitoring reduces site visits and improves data frequency.
• Context: Environmental approvals usually require project proponents to reference both their own monitoring data and relevant State or national datasets.

Groundwater Monitoring and Environmental Compliance in Australia

National groundwater monitoring networks are directly linked to Commonwealth and State environmental legislation and water allocation frameworks. Quality data is vital for satisfying environmental regulations and compliance, particularly under Water Resource Plans, sustainable diversion limits and Basin Plan requirements at federal level.

Environmental approvals for mines and major infrastructure reference regional groundwater models calibrated using historical data from national networks. Regulators use both project and national groundwater data to check conditions related to:

• Drawdown limits at sensitive receptors
• Baseflow contributions to rivers and surface flows
• Protection of groundwater-dependent ecosystems

Environmental triggers are monitored to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems are monitored to prevent ecological collapse, particularly where abstraction or climate change has significantly affected groundwater recharge and availability. Monitoring is essential for identifying groundwater contamination early, and groundwater monitoring is crucial for protecting local ecosystems near extraction operations.

Groundwater monitoring aids in balancing licensed abstractions with natural recharge. Defensible, audit-ready monitoring data is critical for demonstrating compliance during statutory reporting, audits or legal challenges. Automated monitoring systems with clear QA/QC procedures help proponents manage these obligations.

Instrumentation for National and Project-Scale Groundwater Monitoring

Instrumentation selection must reflect monitoring objectives, aquifer conditions and required data resolution. Typical sensors used across both national and project-scale networks include:

• Submersible pressure transducers
• Vibrating wire piezometers
• Multi-parameter water quality sondes
• Data loggers with GSM or satellite telemetry

National networks often rely on a combination of automated loggers and manual dips due to cost and remoteness. Project-scale networks frequently justify fully automated groundwater monitoring for critical compliance bores. Automated monitoring reduces site visits and improves safety, particularly in remote or hazardous environments.

Key engineering considerations include sensor accuracy and range, long-term stability, density and temperature compensation, barometric corrections, and material compatibility with saline or corrosive groundwater. Emerging research has developed new sensors to detect PFAS in groundwater-an increasingly important capability given that PFAS contaminants are difficult to remediate once in groundwater, and samples from affected sites require careful handling and analysis.

Monitel believes in a technology-agnostic approach, helping clients choose appropriate groundwater monitoring sensors and systems based on site conditions, regulatory requirements and lifecycle cost.

Data Acquisition, Telemetry and Centralised Reporting

Modern groundwater monitoring networks increasingly rely on automated data acquisition. Typical system components include:

• In-well sensors and data loggers
• GSM, satellite or radio telemetry
• Secure cloud databases or on-premise servers
• Dashboards with near real-time access

Near real-time access to groundwater level and water quality data supports early detection of drawdown trends, pump performance issues or contamination events. Robust telemetry is essential in remote Australian conditions, requiring careful management of solar and battery power, antenna selection and telemetry redundancy.

Complementary technology is also developing. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar monitors ground deformation from aquifer pressure changes, providing a surface-based check on subsurface behaviour. National agencies are progressively upgrading legacy manual networks to include automated loggers at priority sites, while mining and infrastructure projects typically specify continuous automated monitoring from the outset.

Ensuring Groundwater Data Quality and Defensibility

Poor-quality data can be more costly than high-quality instrumentation, particularly when datasets inform environmental impact assessments, legal proceedings or mine closure plans.

Key elements of groundwater data quality include:

• Regular calibration and drift checks
• Barometric compensation for pressure sensors
• Density and temperature corrections (especially in deep or saline bores)
• Accurate time-stamping
• Clear documentation of changes to bore construction or reference levels

QA/QC procedures should include comparison of automated readings with manual dips, screening of outliers, and consistent reporting formats (mAHD, metres below TOC, EC in µS/cm). Regulators place high value on transparent metadata: bore design, instrumentation details, maintenance events and any data gaps.

Practical consequences of poor practice include:

• A density correction error in a deep bore can shift reported water levels by metres, leading to incorrect drawdown assessments.
• Failing to log a change in TOC (e.g. after soil disturbance or headworks replacement) introduces a systematic bias into the entire level record, potentially misrepresenting the nature of aquifer trends.

Integrating National Monitoring Data into Project Assessments

Project proponents rarely start with a blank slate. Hydrogeologists use national and State datasets to establish pre-development groundwater levels and natural variability before any project bore is drilled. These dispersed databases (from NGIS, State bore registers and other accessible sources) provide the baseline against which future changes are measured.

Regional and local groundwater flow models are calibrated using this historical data. Screen intervals, lithology logs and water levels from government observation bores inform the conceptual hydrogeological model. Project-scale monitoring networks are then designed to tie in to nearby government bores, enabling direct comparison between local site responses and broader regional trends.

Consistent sensor calibration, reference levels and reporting formats between project and government datasets significantly improve the reliability of drawdown and water quality assessments. Where data has been collected, analysed and reported in compatible formats, compliance demonstrations are far more defensible.

Case-Style Examples of Monitoring Network Roles

• Open-cut mining (WA): A large mine installs dense automated piezometer arrays around pit slopes and tailings storage facilities, collecting sub-daily measurements. State observation bores and NGIS data provide regional context for groundwater levels, allowing regulators to assess whether drawdown extends beyond predicted zones.
• Urban infrastructure: A major tunnel excavation in an Australian city uses project monitoring to track drawdown near buildings and rail corridors. Regulators review results against long-term city aquifer trends from the State observation bore network, ensuring ground settlement and groundwater levels remain within construction tolerances.
• Ecological protection: Monitoring bores near a wetland complex track groundwater levels and salinity, with both government and project-installed bores contributing. This ensures that ecological thresholds are not exceeded and that licensed abstraction does not compromise the environment.

Common Challenges in Groundwater Monitoring Networks

Agencies and project proponents face a range of recurring issues:

Technical: Sensor drift, fouling and scaling in monitoring wells; power supply failures; telemetry drop-outs in remote locations; physical damage from surface operations or vandalism.

Hydrogeological: Poorly constructed legacy bores causing vertical leakage; uncertain aquifer boundaries; difficulty separating climate-driven variability from pumping impacts. Climate change has significantly affected groundwater recharge and availability in many regions, making groundwater monitoring crucial for climate change adaptation and long-term resource management.

Operational: Limited budgets for maintenance across large networks; access constraints on private land; data management workload as networks expand and databases grow; coordinating across multiple agencies and communities.

Automated monitoring with robust instrumentation, clear maintenance plans and engineered installations can reduce many of these risks. Monitel has direct experience addressing these challenges on mining and infrastructure projects across Western Australia and other Australian jurisdictions.

Best Practice for Designing Project Networks that Complement National Systems

The goal is to align project groundwater monitoring networks with existing government datasets, creating a coherent picture of aquifer behaviour. Practical steps include:

• Align bore naming conventions, coordinate systems and height datums (mAHD) with local water authority standards
• Locate at least some project bores near existing State observation bores or within the same aquifers and management units
• Match or exceed regulator expectations for monitoring frequency, parameters and QA/QC
• Develop a long-term maintenance plan so data quality does not degrade over the project lifecycle
• Engage hydrogeologists, geotechnical engineers and monitoring specialists early in the design phase to avoid rework during approvals

These steps help ensure that monitoring data is developed in a way that regulators, research organisations and future world-class assessments can rely on.

Monitel’s Approach to Groundwater Monitoring Systems

Monitel is an engineering-led partner for automated groundwater monitoring systems across mining, infrastructure and environmental projects. From early-stage scoping-reviewing regulatory conditions and relevant national groundwater datasets-through to bore instrumentation design, installation, telemetry configuration and commissioning, Monitel manages the full monitoring system lifecycle.

Monitel’s focus on data integrity includes appropriate sensor selection, calibration regimes, density and temperature corrections, barometric compensation and transparent metadata. Systems are configured to deliver near real-time dashboards, automated reporting and alarm thresholds aligned with site-specific trigger levels in environmental approvals.

Monitel is technology-agnostic, selecting groundwater monitoring hardware based on performance and suitability for Australian conditions. For more detail on bore construction and field implementation, refer to Monitel’s groundwater monitoring wells and bores page.

When to Engage a Specialist Monitoring Partner

Many organisations benefit from specialist support when regulatory complexity or technical risk is high. Situations where engaging Monitel is particularly valuable include:

• Large dewatering schemes or deep excavations
• Projects near sensitive ecosystems, town water supplies or the Gnangara system
• Deep or artesian aquifers requiring specialised instrumentation
• Operations requiring continuous automated reporting to regulators

Monitel often works alongside hydrogeological consultants, providing the practical instrumentation, telemetry and data management layer that underpins modelling and impact assessments. Early engagement during feasibility or approvals can reduce redesign costs, avoid installation errors and streamline approval conditions. Monitel aims to be a long-term monitoring partner, supporting system maintenance and data integrity across the life of each project and into closure or post-closure monitoring where required.

Conclusion: Aligning Site Monitoring with National Groundwater Networks

National groundwater monitoring networks provide the regional context that no single project can replicate. Well-designed project networks provide the spatial and temporal detail needed for day-to-day environmental management and compliance. Together, they form a coherent system that supports responsible groundwater management across the country.

Accurate instruments, robust telemetry and disciplined data management are essential for producing reliable groundwater monitoring data that stands up to regulatory and technical scrutiny. By designing project systems to complement existing national and State datasets, proponents can demonstrate responsible water resources management and support long-term planning for future generations.

To discuss your groundwater monitoring requirements for upcoming mining, infrastructure or environmental projects, contact Monitel to scope the right instrumentation and reporting approach for your site.

Groundwater assessment establishes baseline conditions before development begins. Groundwater investigation characterises a specific problem after it’s been detected. These two processes serve fundamentally different purposes, yet they are routinely confused – leading to inadequate monitoring programs, regulatory disputes, and costly project delays across Australia.

Finally! Clear Terminology for Groundwater Professionals

If you work in environmental consulting, mining, civil engineering, or resource management, you’ve almost certainly encountered these terms used interchangeably. That confusion isn’t harmless. When a project team applies assessment-level monitoring to an investigation-grade problem-or deploys investigation methods where baseline data is all that’s needed-the consequences range from wasted budgets to undetected contaminant plumes and failed compliance submissions.

The terminology matters because it defines the scope, timing, instrumentation and regulatory framework of your entire groundwater monitoring program. An assessment is proactive. An investigation is reactive. The instrumentation may overlap, but the objectives, data requirements, and regulatory drivers differ substantially.

This page is the definitive resource for understanding those differences, selecting the right approach, and ensuring your groundwater management strategy is fit for purpose from day one.

What is Groundwater Assessment?

A groundwater assessment is the process of establishing existing groundwater conditions before development or operational activities influence them. Its purpose is to capture the natural or current state of groundwater resources – including ambient groundwater quality, static water levels, seasonal variation, and the broader hydrogeological framework such as aquifer depth, transmissivity, and connectivity with surface water, wetlands, and rivers.

Groundwater assessments identify contaminant concentrations and flow depth, providing the baseline against which all future changes are measured. Typical assessment objectives include water table mapping and potentiometric surface definition, determination of flow direction and recharge zones, characterisation of seasonal variation in water levels across wet and dry periods, and documentation of background water chemistry including major ions, salinity, TDS, and naturally occurring metals.

Groundwater assessment combines field monitoring, laboratory analysis, and modelling to build a comprehensive picture of site conditions. Groundwater assessments often include surface water and sediment sampling to understand connectivity between systems. Numerical groundwater modelling predicts how aquifers respond to various stressors, making it an essential component of robust assessment programs.

Assessments are conducted to support Environmental Impact Assessments, permit applications, water allocation licensing, and project planning. They are proactive by nature-completed before ground disturbance, construction, or resource extraction begins. Groundwater assessments must comply with the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 in Western Australia, and groundwater assessments follow rigorous scientific methods and regulations to ensure findings are defensible.

In Perth, where the city relies on aquifers for about 40% of its drinking water, groundwater assessments are essential for sustainable management. Sandy and permeable soils in Perth increase vulnerability to contamination, making thorough baseline characterisation critical before any development proceeds. Climate change has led to significant declines in rainfall in Perth, further underscoring the importance of understanding groundwater resources before they are impacted by new projects.

Western Australian guidance for the petroleum and geothermal industry recommends at least two years of baseline water quality sampling to adequately characterise groundwater variability across seasons-a standard that reflects the essential need for long-term data collection.

What is Groundwater Investigation?

A groundwater investigation is triggered when there is evidence or suspicion that groundwater conditions have deviated from baseline. This could be detection of contamination, unexpected drawdown in neighbouring bores, compliance breaches, or operational incidents such as tailings dam seepage or chemical spills. Groundwater is contaminated if it contains harmful substances, and the investigation’s purpose is to identify what those substances are, where they came from, and how far they’ve spread.

Typical investigation objectives include source identification – for example, tracing contamination to a leaking underground storage tank or historical use of firefighting foam. Contaminant mapping identifies pollution sources affecting groundwater quality through three-dimensional plume delineation, measuring concentrations over time, and assessing pathways to receptors such as nearby bores, communities, or groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

Groundwater quality investigation includes measuring hydraulic parameters to understand how contaminants move through the aquifer. Investigations can involve airborne electromagnetic surveys alongside traditional drilling and soil sampling methods to identify subsurface conditions across large areas.

The reactive nature of investigations means time is often critical. Intensive monitoring programs with rapid data turnaround are standard, and ongoing monitoring may continue for months or years until remediation objectives are achieved and regulatory sign-off is obtained. Investigations support legal compliance and environmental restoration, providing the findings necessary for remediation planning, risk assessment, and management of contaminated land under state and federal legislation.

Key Differences Between Assessment and Investigation

Understanding these differences is essential for selecting the right monitoring approach and meeting regulatory requirements.

Assessment work establishes the benchmark against which all future conditions are measured. Without it, investigation findings lack context-there is no way to determine whether detected concentrations represent natural background variability or anthropogenic contamination. Groundwater quality assessment is crucial for management policies because it defines what “normal” looks like for a given site.

Investigation work addresses real, present problems. Its advantage is direct problem resolution, but its effectiveness depends entirely on the quality of the baseline assessment that preceded it. Where baseline data is absent or inadequate, investigations face significant data gaps that can undermine remediation efforts and regulatory compliance.

When Each Approach is Required

Groundwater Assessment Applications

• Mining project environmental impact assessments – Establishing baseline groundwater levels, quality, and flow conditions before extraction begins
• Infrastructure development planning – Major road, rail, or pipeline corridors requiring understanding of aquifer behaviour and potential dewatering impacts
• Construction dewatering permit applications – Demonstrating expected drawdown and potential impacts on neighbouring bores and property
• Pre-development baseline establishment – Documenting conditions at greenfield sites before any ground disturbance occurs
• Water allocation licence applications – Defining water availability, seasonal variation, and sustainable extraction rates for agriculture, industry, and communities

Environmental monitoring informs water planning and conservation policies across the country. Data is essential for managing household bores and licensed groundwater users, making thorough assessment the foundation of responsible groundwater management.

Groundwater Investigation Applications

• Contaminated site characterisation – Industrial sites, petrol stations, PFAS releases requiring source identification and plume mapping
• Operational impact assessment – Investigating suspected impacts from dewatering, mining, or waste disposal on surrounding groundwater sources
• Compliance response – Addressing regulatory breaches where water samples reveal contaminant concentrations exceeding permitted levels
• Incident response – Tailings dam failures, chemical spills, or other events requiring urgent characterisation of extent and severity
• Post-construction monitoring – Tracking dewatering effects or verifying that planned mitigation measures are performing as designed

Regular monitoring prevents over-extraction of groundwater in Perth and enables early detection of problems before they escalate. Groundwater monitoring detects contaminants before they become serious issues, and groundwater monitoring supports compliance with environmental legislation.

Instrumentation and Monitoring Requirements

Assessment Monitoring Approaches

Effective baseline assessment relies on strategic instrumentation deployed across a site to capture spatial and temporal variability.

• Monitoring well networks – Groundwater monitoring wells are installed to assess water quality across varying geology, upgradient and downgradient positions, and multiple aquifer depth zones.
• Submersible level transmitters – Automated sensors record water levels at programmed intervals (hourly, daily), building the continuous datasets needed for seasonal analysis. Groundwater levels are tracked using manual and automated methods depending on site access and project requirements.
• Multi-parameter water quality sondes – Instruments measuring TDS, conductivity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen provide comprehensive baseline characterisation of groundwater quality.
• Telemetry and remote data acquisition – Critical for remote sites across Western Australia. Automated monitoring reduces the need for site visits while maintaining reliable data streams. Automated monitoring systems improve safety and data accuracy.
• Long-term monitoring programs – Minimum two-year durations recommended by WA guidelines to capture full seasonal cycles, with ongoing monitoring extending as required by project conditions.

Investigation Monitoring Approaches

Investigation monitoring demands higher intensity and often specialised instrumentation.

• Targeted well installation – Groundwater monitoring wells are installed to assess contamination levels at specific locations identified through preliminary site assessment, including nested or multi-level completions for vertical plume profiling.
• High-frequency level monitoring – During dewatering events, spills, or active remediation, continuous water level logging captures rapid changes that periodic monitoring would miss.
• Specialised contamination detection – Sampling protocols with strict chain-of-custody procedures, laboratory analysis for volatile organics, PFAS, heavy metals, and other target analytes with detection limits meeting regulatory criteria.
• Real-time alarm systems – Automated alerts triggered when sensor readings exceed pre-set thresholds, enabling immediate response to protect the environment and surrounding receptors.
• Intensive monitoring programs – Daily or hourly data collection with rapid turnaround, potentially supplemented by tracer studies or geophysical imaging to identify flow pathways through fractured rock or heterogeneous soil materials.

Groundwater monitoring identifies contaminants in groundwater and involves the installation of monitoring wells as foundational infrastructure for both approaches. The selection of appropriate instrumentation is what separates reliable, defensible data from information that cannot withstand regulatory scrutiny.

How Monitel Supports Both Assessments and Investigations

Monitel provides end-to-end groundwater monitoring services, from sensor selection through installation, commissioning, and long-term data management. The approach is technology-agnostic-rather than pushing a single product line, Monitel’s team selects the most appropriate sensor type for each project based on site geology, depth, temperature, chemical environment, and monitoring objectives.

• Vibrating-wire piezometers (VWPs) – Highly suited to Western Australian conditions, offering durability against heat and corrosion, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and resistance to cable-length signal loss. Monitel supplies the VWP-3000 series which covers pressure ranges from 350 to 3,500 kPa with resolution of approximately 0.025% full-scale and accuracy of ±0.1% full scale, with operating temperature ranges from −20 to +80°C.
• CT2X multi-parameter sensors – Measuring water level, conductivity, temperature, and total dissolved solids simultaneously, these instruments serve both assessment (baseline quality characterisation) and investigation (change detection) purposes through a single installation.
• Open groundwater sensors, standpipe piezometers, strain gauge, and drive-in sensors – Ranging across applications from simple manual monitoring to continuous automated data collection, with sensor bodies constructed from 316-grade stainless steel and hermetic sealing for long-term reliability.
• Complete monitoring well and bore instrumentation – From drilling and installation through calibration, commissioning, and ongoing data validation, Monitel’s expertise covers the full project lifecycle.
• Automated telemetry systems – Cloud-based data platforms enable continuous groundwater monitoring and compliance reporting without frequent site visits, providing real-time access to data for project teams, regulators, and stakeholders.

Monitel’s unique ability to handle harsh Western Australian conditions-extreme heat, corrosive environments, and remote site access challenges-ensures that monitoring infrastructure delivers reliable, defensible data throughout extended project lifecycles. Groundwater monitoring helps protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems in Perth and across Australia’s resource regions.

Choosing the Right Monitoring Approach

Selecting between assessment and investigation monitoring-or designing a program that transitions between them-requires careful consideration of several factors:

• Project stage and regulatory requirements – Determine whether your project is in planning and approvals (assessment) or responding to a detected issue (investigation). The regulatory framework governing your site will define minimum monitoring standards, report requirements, and data quality expectations.
• Site-specific hydrogeological conditions – Understanding the local aquifer system, soil permeability, geological heterogeneity, and connectivity with surface water bodies is essential for designing an effective monitoring network. Assessment work builds this understanding; investigation work relies on it.
• Monitoring frequency and data quality standards – Assessment programs typically operate on periodic schedules over extended timeframes. Investigation programs demand higher-frequency data collection with rapid analytical turnaround. Both require documented calibration, quality assurance, and validation protocols.
• Instrumentation selection – Match sensors to your accuracy requirements and environmental conditions. VWPs suit long-term, remote, high-temperature applications. Pressure transducers with telemetry support continuous automated reporting. Multi-parameter sondes provide the water quality data needed for both baseline and change-detection programs.
• Long-term monitoring needs – Consider whether your program may need to transition from assessment to investigation if issues are detected, and design your well network and instrumentation accordingly. Planning for potential scope expansion from the outset reduces future costs and delays.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying assessment-level monitoring to investigation-grade problems – Periodic quarterly sampling cannot characterise a migrating contaminant plume. If contamination is suspected or confirmed, the monitoring frequency, spatial density, and analytical suite must be scaled to match the security and urgency of the situation.
• Deploying investigation methods when baseline data is what’s needed – Over-engineering an assessment program wastes resources and may generate data that obscures rather than clarifies baseline conditions. Keep the scope appropriate to the objective.
• Selecting inappropriate instrumentation – Choosing sensors based on cost alone rather than environmental suitability leads to premature failure, data gaps, and indefensible findings. Western Australian conditions-heat, corrosion, remoteness-demand instrumentation rated for those specific challenges.
• Underestimating monitoring duration and costs – Baseline assessment requires a minimum of one full wet-dry cycle, and WA guidelines recommend two years of water quality sampling for adequate characterisation. Short baselines lead to misinterpretation of natural variability, undermining the entire assessment’s value.
• Ignoring vertical variability – Both assessment and investigation programs must consider depth. Contaminants may be present in one aquifer layer but absent in another. Multi-level monitoring provides the vertical resolution needed for accurate characterisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the same monitoring wells be used for both assessment and investigation?

Yes, in many cases existing assessment wells can support subsequent investigation work-provided their location, depth, and screen zones align with the issue being investigated. However, investigations often demand greater spatial or vertical resolution than an assessment network provides. Additional targeted wells may be required to map a contaminant plume or characterise a specific impact zone. Instrumentation upgrades-such as transitioning from manual dipping to continuous automated sensors with telemetry-may also be necessary to meet investigation-level data requirements.

How long should monitoring continue for each type of project?

For baseline assessment, Western Australian regulatory guidance recommends a minimum of two years of water quality sampling to capture natural seasonal variability. Some programs extend further depending on site complexity and regulatory interest. Investigation monitoring continues until remediation objectives are achieved or regulatory sign-off is obtained-this could range from months to years depending on contaminant persistence, plume behaviour, and the effectiveness of remedial strategies. Automated monitoring systems with telemetry support cost-effective long-term programs by reducing the need for manual site visits while maintaining continuous, reliable data collection.

What level of data accuracy is required for regulatory compliance?

Accuracy requirements depend on regulatory thresholds, the nature of the issue being monitored, and the intended use of the data. For contamination investigations, laboratory detection limits for target analytes (PFAS, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals) must meet published regulatory criteria. For water level and pressure monitoring, sensor accuracy of ±0.1% full scale-as provided by vibrating-wire piezometers-is typically sufficient for regulatory reporting. All monitoring programs require documented calibration schedules, barometric and temperature corrections where applicable, and comprehensive quality assurance and quality control protocols to ensure data defensibility in compliance reporting and, if necessary, legal proceedings.

Next Steps for Your Groundwater Monitoring Project

The first step in any groundwater project is clarity: are you establishing a baseline, or characterising a known problem? That distinction determines your monitoring scope, instrumentation, regulatory pathway, and budget.

If you’re planning a new development, preparing an environmental impact assessment, or applying for water allocation licensing, you need a groundwater assessment program designed to capture baseline conditions with sufficient duration and spatial coverage.

If you’re responding to detected contamination, unexpected drawdown, or a compliance breach, you need a groundwater investigation program with targeted instrumentation, intensive sampling, and rapid data delivery.

Monitel’s team provides the technical expertise to assist with both-from sensor selection and installation through to automated telemetry, data management, and long-term maintenance. Contact Monitel to discuss your specific project requirements, request a consultation on monitoring approaches, and ensure your program delivers reliable, defensible data from the outset.

Groundwater monitoring well decommissioning is the final stage in the bore lifecycle. It is also one of the most consequential. When a monitoring well has reached the end of its useful life, permanently sealing it protects groundwater resources, removes a potential contamination pathway and satisfies regulatory compliance obligations. This article covers when and why wells should be decommissioned, accepted sealing methods, equipment removal, documentation and the environmental risks of getting it wrong.

Why Monitoring Well Decommissioning Matters

To decommission boreholes or monitoring wells means to permanently seal them so they no longer form a conduit for vertical groundwater movement, cross-aquifer contamination, or surface water ingress. In practical terms, the process involves removing headworks and instrumentation, filling the bore with appropriate sealing materials, and restoring the surface to suit the intended land use.

Poorly abandoned wells can undermine years of hydrogeological work. An unsealed annulus or open casing allows preferential flow paths between aquifers, degrades water quality, and compromises the integrity of surrounding soil and geological structures. What was once a carefully constructed monitoring point becomes a liability.

In Australia, well decommissioning is regulated under state-based legislation and national guidance. In Western Australia, decommissioning is regulated under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, and must follow the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia (4th Edition, 2020). State EPA guidelines and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation requirements also apply. Proper decommissioning protects groundwater resources from contamination, and failing to complete it correctly can result in enforcement action, remediation orders, or ongoing liability.

Monitel approaches decommissioning as part of a complete monitoring lifecycle. Sound bore construction, reliable instrumentation, and disciplined long-term monitoring all influence how effectively a well can be sealed at the end of its service. Planning for decommissioning from the outset is not optional-it is essential.

When Should Groundwater Monitoring Wells Be Decommissioned?

Timing is driven by project risk, regulatory conditions, and the physical condition of the bore. Groundwater monitoring bores provide access to underground aquifers, and that access must be managed responsibly when it is no longer needed.

Project completion is the most common trigger. Examples include closure of a mine pit where post-closure monitoring has confirmed stable water quality over five or more years, completion of a road or rail embankment where settlement monitoring confirms stability, or the end of a contaminated land remediation program where monitoring data demonstrates objectives have been met.

Redevelopment or infrastructure conflicts require decommissioning when land use changes-industrial to residential, for instance-or when new foundations, basements, pipework, or services corridors would conflict with existing wells. Piling and dewatering programmes may also require removal of nearby monitoring bores.

Damaged or non-compliant wells present a different set of concerns. Casing sheared by vehicle strike, corroded steel risers, collapsed screens, or wells that were installed under older standards and no longer provide reliable data all warrant decommissioning. A bore that is no longer functional serves no monitoring purpose and only presents risk.

Temporary works wells-those installed for short-term construction dewatering verification, ground movement assessment, or similar-are typically decommissioned once the permanent structure is commissioned and the bore is longer needed.

Regulatory triggers include expiry of environmental licence conditions, direction from regulatory authorities following a risk review, or conditions in site management plans requiring decommissioning within a set period after the last sample (commonly within six months). When a bore is longer functional or no longer required, the obligation to seal it promptly is critical.

Regulatory Compliance and Standards for Well Decommissioning

Well decommissioning is a regulated activity across all Australian jurisdictions. Non-compliant closure can result in enforcement, fines, remediation orders, or breach of licence conditions.

The primary national reference is the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia (4th Edition, 2020), which includes explicit decommissioning requirements covering sealing methods, materials, and documentation. Installation must comply with these Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores, and so must decommissioning.

At the state level, WA’s Water Quality Protection Guidelines No. 1 (for mining and mineral processing) provide specific direction for mine site monitoring bores. These guidelines require that bores intersecting confined aquifers be backfilled with cement grout, with casing annulus sealed from above the slotted section to approximately 1.5 metres below ground surface. Similar guidance exists in South Australia, where a minimum 5 m depth surface seal is required for all decommissioned bores.

Approvals or notification may be required before decommissioning wells associated with Part IV or Part V EP Act approvals, mining proposals, or contamination management plans. In some states, notification to the relevant regulatory authority is required 60 days prior to decommissioning.

Licensed Water Well Drillers typically perform groundwater well decommissioning, and a bore decommissioning report must be submitted to the relevant regulatory authority after completion. Documentation expectations include method statements, risk assessments, and post-works reports. These records must satisfy auditors, regulators, and future asset owners.

Monitel plans decommissioning in consultation with clients’ hydrogeologists and environmental managers, ensuring that decommissioning aligns with broader regulatory compliance obligations-including groundwater monitoring programs, closure plans, water licences, and groundwater extraction permits.

Environmental and Structural Risks of Improperly Abandoned Wells

Environmental protection is the primary reason for formal decommissioning procedures. The environmental risks of leaving a monitoring well improperly sealed are well documented and can persist for decades.

Vertical migration is perhaps the most significant risk. An unsealed annulus allows saline or contaminated water from one aquifer to migrate into another. In coastal WA, where salinity intrusion is a genuine concern, unsealed bores can deepen flow paths for seawater to penetrate inland or into deeper freshwater aquifers. Annular seals prevent vertical leakage and contamination between aquifers-and when those seals are absent or degraded, the bore becomes a direct conduit.

Contaminant pathways are created when legacy wells bypass low-permeability clay layers or confining units. Hydrocarbon plumes, industrial contaminants, or agricultural chemicals can migrate through an unsealed bore to impact sensitive receptors such as wetlands, groundwater dependent ecosystems, rivers, or production bores. Decommissioning prevents contamination and groundwater migration risks.

Surface contamination and safety hazards arise when open or poorly capped wells allow stormwater, debris, fauna, or accidental spills to enter the ground. There are also physical trip and fall hazards on active or redeveloped sites.

Structural and geotechnical issues can develop over time. Piping or erosion along the casing, subsidence around a poorly backfilled hole, and interaction with nearby foundations or buried services all present risk. Surrounding soil can be destabilised where voids form around deteriorating casing.

Long-term liability is often underestimated. Poorly decommissioned wells can trigger future claims, costly site investigations, and remediation obligations decades after the original project has closed. New landowners discovering unsealed bores face expense and delay that could have been avoided through proper closure.

Pre-Decommissioning Assessment and Planning

Thorough assessment underpins safe, compliant decommissioning. The method selected for sealing must be based on accurate knowledge of the bore’s construction and the site conditions surrounding it.

Key data to review includes original bore construction logs, the drilling method used, casing and screen details (casing and screens are typically made from uPVC or stainless steel), filter pack and annular seals materials, total depth, known stratigraphy, and the hydrogeological conceptual model. If the bore was properly developed using techniques such as surging and low-flow pumping, this should be recorded. It is also worth confirming whether monitoring bores achieved parameter stability before sampling, as this speaks to the reliability of the data collected.

Current condition must be confirmed through a site survey: location and level (top of casing and reduced level), measured total depth, inspection for blockages, deformation, or collapsed zones, and identification of any in-hole devices or instrumentation.

Risk assessment should consider whether the site is contaminated, the proximity of receptors (production bores, rivers, wetlands, residential areas), and the presence of nearby buildings or critical infrastructure.

Method selection depends on bore diameter, depth (a shallow 20 m environmental well requires a different approach to a 150 m mine dewatering observation bore), lithology (unconsolidated sands versus fractured rock), groundwater pressures, and whether artesian conditions are present. Each of these factors will determine the sealing materials and placement method used.

Monitel coordinates this assessment with clients’ hydrogeologists to ensure decommissioning integrates with the site’s conceptual model and future land use plans.

Accepted Sealing and Grouting Methods

The objective of sealing is to create a continuous, low-permeability barrier that removes the well as a hydraulic and contaminant pathway. Boreholes must be sealed with grout or bentonite during decommissioning, and the method must suit both the geological conditions and the regulatory framework.

Pressure grouting via tremie pipe is the standard method for deeper or submerged sections. Neat cement grout, cement–bentonite mixtures, or high-solids bentonite slurry is placed from the bottom of the bore upward, displacing water and minimising the risk of voids. Cement-based sealing materials must meet ASTM C150 standards. Sealing mixtures should use drinking-water quality water for hydration to avoid introducing contaminants.

Bentonite-based methods use sodium montmorillonite pellets or chips for shorter sections. Bentonite expands significantly when hydrated, enhancing sealing performance. However, bentonite seals should not be used where roots may invade or where highly saline or chemically aggressive groundwater may compromise swelling. Annular seals usually consist of bentonite or cement-bentonite, and sealing materials for boreholes include bentonite pellets or chips.

Material selection depends on site conditions. Neat cement grout provides greater strength in fractured rock or where structural integrity matters. Cement–bentonite mixes reduce shrinkage and lower permeability. Bentonite-only seals may be acceptable for shallow environmental wells where strength is less critical and chemical conditions are favourable.

Staged sealing may be required in multi-aquifer wells, with horizon plugs placed across confining layers to maintain aquifer isolation. This is designed in line with the original bore construction and hydrostratigraphy, using bridging materials or cement plugs at specific depth intervals.

Curing and verification involves allowing adequate setting time, monitoring grout returns at the surface, and comparing the volume of grout placed with the theoretical annulus volume. Simple volume checks can identify whether voids or incomplete filling have occurred.

Step-by-Step Decommissioning Procedure for Monitoring Wells

The following procedure provides a logical overview of groundwater monitoring well decommissioning procedures, guiding engineers and site managers through each stage.

Site preparation and safety comes first. The work area must be isolated, traffic managed (particularly in heavy-vehicle corridors on mine sites or transport corridors), utilities located, and spill control and waste management measures established. Safety planning should account for the specific hazards present at each site.

Removal of headworks involves cutting and removing surface monuments, concrete pads, protective casings, and covers. Accurate survey references should be maintained where needed for future records. Casing and obstructions must be removed to properly seal a borehole during decommissioning.

Internal equipment removal follows. Pressure transducers, vibrating wire piezometers, data logger cables, tubing, and any other devices are extracted. The bore is then flushed or bailed to remove sediments and debris before sealing.

Bore conditioning involves measuring current total depth, clearing any obstructions using appropriate methods, and confirming whether the bore is open to its original drilled depth. If collapse has occurred, the reduced depth must be documented and the sealing plan adjusted.

Seal placement uses a tremie pipe from the base upward. Grout or bentonite is placed continuously, with minimal interruption, to avoid segregation or bridging. The process should follow the staged approach described earlier where multiple aquifers are intersected.

Surface reinstatement completes the procedure. A shallow surface plug is constructed where required, followed by replacement of topsoil, pavement, or hardstand. Surface restoration is a requirement after well decommissioning, and the restored surface must suit the future land use or project handover requirements. For a straightforward single borehole, decommissioning can take one day.

Removal and Management of Monitoring Equipment

Groundwater monitoring wells often contain high-value and sensitive equipment that must be recovered before decommissioning.

Submersible level loggers, pressure transducers, and multi-parameter water quality sondes should be retrieved with care. Calibration records and serial number traceability must be maintained for each instrument. Automated monitoring reduces manual site visits and improves data reliability, so instruments in good condition can often be redeployed on other projects.

Some instruments, such as vibrating wire piezometers grouted within the bore, may not be fully retrievable. Where extraction is not possible, the presence of the instrument must be documented and the sealing design adjusted accordingly.

Final data downloads from loggers are critical. Last readings must be archived, and decommissioning dates linked to the project’s monitoring database for future audits and groundwater modelling.

Waste classification and disposal must follow relevant state guidelines. Electronic waste, contaminated equipment, and inert materials should be segregated. Any equipment that has been exposed to contaminants on an impacted site requires handling as classified waste.

Monitel’s focus is on preserving data integrity through to the last measurement and ensuring instruments are either redeployed or disposed of responsibly.

Documentation, Record-Keeping and Reporting

Robust documentation is essential for audit-ready regulatory compliance and future site understanding. Decommissioning records are required for regulatory compliance in every Australian jurisdiction.

Key records include:

• Original and final bore depth
• Casing and screen details (materials, diameters, screen intervals)
• Decommissioning date, personnel, and contractor details
• Type and composition of grout or bentonite used
• Volumes placed and depth intervals for different backfill or seal materials
• Any deviations from the planned method

Survey data should capture final surface levels, coordinates, and their relation to the site grid or Australian Height Datum where relevant to hydrogeological models.

Photographic evidence-before and after images of headworks removal, sealing activities, and final reinstated surface condition-adds verification and supports future audits.

Monitel’s deliverables typically include a formal decommissioning report or addendum suitable for submission to regulators, environmental auditors, and asset owners.

Integration with Broader Groundwater Monitoring and Site Closure

Decommissioning should be planned as part of the broader groundwater monitoring strategy, not treated as an isolated task at the end of a project. It connects directly to closure planning and long-term environmental protection objectives.

Well decommissioning must be sequenced with the end of monitoring programs, final sampling rounds, and verification of groundwater models-for example, confirming post-dewatering recovery at a mine or tunnel project before removing the monitoring network.

Coordination with other ground and structural monitoring systems is important. Inclinometers, settlement arrays, and structural health sensors may still be collecting data at the time bore decommissioning is being considered. Data continuity must be preserved until risk criteria are met.

Future data requirements should also be a consideration. Replacement bores may be needed, sentinel wells may need to remain active, and key datasets should be preserved for long-term performance assessment rather than lost during the decommissioning process.

Monitel’s Role Across the Full Lifecycle of Groundwater Monitoring Wells

Effective well decommissioning begins with good bore construction, appropriate instrumentation, and reliable long-term monitoring. Each stage of the lifecycle influences the next.

Monitel supports clients from initial groundwater monitoring network design, through drilling oversight, installation of sensors and telemetry, automated data acquisition, and reporting for regulatory compliance. When monitoring objectives are met or infrastructure changes demand it, Monitel assists with planning and executing compliant decommissioning procedures-including method selection, site supervision, and preparation of audit-ready documentation.

By engaging Monitel across the full monitoring lifecycle, project teams can be confident that their monitoring wells are designed, operated, and ultimately decommissioned in a way that safeguards groundwater resources, protects water quality, and reduces long-term environmental liability. Monitel’s broader geotechnical instrumentation capabilities ensure that decommissioning decisions are made within the context of the complete monitoring programme, not in isolation.

To discuss upcoming bore and well decommissioning monitoring or other requirements, speak with Monitel’s engineering team.

A Complete Guide to Monitoring Well Installation Built for Mining and Infrastructure Projects

A single poorly installed monitoring well can compromise years of groundwater data, trigger regulatory non-compliance, and cost tens of thousands of dollars in remediation-all because of avoidable construction errors during the initial build. If you’ve dealt with sand-choked screens, cross contamination between aquifer zones, or water samples that don’t reflect true groundwater conditions, you understand the frustration.

Monitoring wells are not simple holes in the ground. They are precision-engineered instruments designed to provide critical data on groundwater levels, groundwater quality, and natural groundwater flow across specific aquifer intervals. When design and installation techniques align with site hydrogeology and regulatory requirements, these wells deliver accurate monitoring over decades. When they don’t, the consequences range from biased laboratory analysis results to failed environmental audits.

Groundwater monitoring is critical for assessing the health of underground water systems in Perth and across Western Australia, where mining activities, infrastructure development, and urban expansion all place pressure on groundwater resources. Monitoring wells measure water quality and quantity over time, detect pollutants and assess contamination spread, and serve critical roles in dewatering operations and construction safety.

At Monitel, we deliver end-to-end groundwater monitoring well installation – from initial site assessment and well design through drilling, construction, development, and commissioning with automated sensor networks. Our approach ensures every bore is built to collect data you can trust and defend.

Why Proper Monitoring Well Installation Works

Here’s what separates a monitoring well that delivers reliable, defensible data from one that becomes a liability:

• Accurate site assessment prevents installation in unsuitable locations – Geological investigation identifies stratigraphy, aquifer boundaries, and potential contaminants before a drill rig arrives, ensuring screens target the right zones and avoid problematic formations.
• Correct drilling methods preserve borehole integrity and aquifer conditions – Selecting between hollow stem augers, mud rotary, or sonic drilling based on depth, formation type, and pressure conditions prevents borehole collapse and avoids disturbing natural groundwater flow.
• Appropriate casing and screen selection ensures long-term data reliability – Matching casing materials to site chemistry (pH, salinity, chemical resistance) and sizing the monitoring well screen slot to aquifer grain distribution prevents both sediment infiltration and structural failure.
• Professional filter pack and sealing prevents cross contamination – A correctly graded gravel pack paired with a bentonite or cement-bentonite low permeability seal isolates the target monitoring zone from overlying and underlying strata.
• Systematic well development removes installation debris and establishes proper flow – Development pumping clears drilling fluids, fines, and mud residues so that water samples represent actual groundwater conditions-not construction artefacts.

Poor installation creates more problems than no monitoring at all. Unreliable data leads to incorrect engineering decisions, failed project approvals, and wasted remediation efforts. Every shortcut-inadequate sealing, insufficient flushing, incorrect screen placement-compounds over the life of the well.

How Monitoring Well Installation Works

Getting from bare ground to a fully commissioned monitoring bore requires five structured phases. Each phase builds on the previous one, and errors at any stage propagate forward.

Step 1: Site Assessment and Well Design

Every effective groundwater monitoring program begins with understanding what’s beneath the surface. Geological investigation includes reviewing existing stratigraphic data, conducting soil samples and sieve analyses, and identifying the target aquifer intervals. Hydrogeological assessment determines depth to water, whether aquifers are confined or unconfined, expected hydraulic conductivity, and whether artesian conditions exist.

Installation requires selection of appropriate instrumentation for the local hydrogeology. Well depth, diameter, and casing material selection are driven by formation conditions, monitoring objectives, and regulatory compliance requirements. In Western Australia, installing groundwater monitoring wells requires compliance with Western Australian environmental standards, including the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia (Edition 4, 2020) and WQPN 30 guidelines. Licensing and necessary approvals are mandated for groundwater monitoring well installations in Perth – typically a 26D licence for bore construction in proclaimed areas.

Screen length and slot size determination relies on aquifer grain size distribution. Sieve analysis identifies the median particle size; screen slot size is typically matched to the 50th–60th percentile particle size, with more conservative sizing where formations are heterogeneous or corrosive. For example, in a sand and gravel aquifer, a slot opening of approximately 0.150 inch (~3.8 mm) might be selected to retain around 40% of formation material while maintaining adequate water flow.

Monitoring wells should be positioned upgradient and downgradient of potential contamination sources to intercept contamination plumes and establish baseline conditions against which changes can be measured.

Step 2: Drilling and Bore Construction

Drilling methods include auger, mud rotary, and sonic drilling, each suited to different conditions:

• Hollow stem augers – Ideal for shallow monitoring bores in unconsolidated formations. The auger flights keep the borehole open during casing installation. Not suitable for artesian aquifers or deep formations. Direct Push Technology (DPT) is also popular for shallow groundwater monitoring in Perth.
• Mud rotary – Preferred for deep or confined aquifer monitoring and artesian conditions where downhole pressure control is essential. Requires careful management of drilling fluids to prevent screen smearing and filter pack clogging.
• Air rotary – Effective in certain consolidated formations but not recommended where water levels may rise close to or above ground surface due to pressure risks.
• Sonic drilling – Produces continuous core samples with minimal formation disturbance, valuable in complex or contaminated sites.

Maintaining borehole stability during drilling operations is critical. Driller’s logs should record lithology changes at each strata transition-typically every 3 metres for bores to approximately 50 m depth, with greater frequency in heterogeneous ground. Water strike locations are documented. For bores exceeding 50 m or targeting confined aquifers, geophysical logging (gamma, resistivity) is recommended to verify formation boundaries.

Borehole diameter must accommodate casing plus sufficient annulus for filter pack placement and sealing materials. For a 125 mm external diameter casing, a minimum annulus of approximately 30 mm is required around the casing to ensure uniform gravel pack distribution.

Step 3: Casing and Screen Installation

Monitoring well casings typically range from 2 to 6 inches in diameter, selected based on monitoring objectives and the specialised equipment that must fit inside. Casing materials include PVC, stainless steel, or fiberglass-PVC (pressure-rated uPVC) for most standard applications, stainless steel where chemical resistance is required in corrosive or high-pressure environments, and fiberglass for specific chemical compatibility scenarios.

Screen placement targets the aquifer interval of interest. Well screens should be placed to capture variations across seasonal groundwater levels, ensuring the bore remains functional across wet and dry cycles. Groundwater level mapping is essential for understanding seasonal variations in Perth, and screen positioning must account for these fluctuations.

Centralisers ensure the screen is centred within the borehole so the annular filter pack achieves uniform thickness-preventing dead zones that hinder water flow and create preferential pathways. Casing diameter should exceed the maximum diameter of the outer casing for proper sealing at transition points.

A filter pack of gravel or sand surrounds the well screen. This gravel pack is sized slightly larger than the screen slot openings, graded to prevent fine material migration while maintaining hydraulic communication with the surrounding formations. Filter pack material is tremied or poured carefully to avoid bridging.

Step 4: Sealing and Surface Completion

Proper sealing is what prevents cross contamination between aquifer zones and stops surface contamination from entering the monitoring interval.

Bentonite is used to seal the well and prevent contamination. A bentonite seal is installed directly above the filter pack, creating a low permeability seal that blocks vertical flow along the annulus. Above the bentonite, a cement-bentonite grout is placed extending to approximately 300 mm below ground surface. Key groundwater monitoring considerations include borehole sealing and use of bentonite or cement-bentonite to ensure isolation between monitored zones and overlying strata.

Surface completion includes:

• A concrete surface pad sloped outward to divert surface water away from the wellhead and prevent surface contamination
• Protective construction casing or monument extending at least 300 mm above ground level
• A locking cap to prevent tampering or accidental damage
• Surveying to establish coordinates and elevation relative to Australian Height Datum, with top-of-casing and ground surface levels recorded

Step 5: Well Development and Commissioning

Monitoring wells must be developed to stabilize the water column and ensure representative sampling. Development includes flushing to remove fine materials post-installation-drilling fluids, mud cake, and formation fines that would otherwise bias groundwater samples and provide inaccurate readings of parameters like dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids.

Surge and pumping methods are common techniques used for well development. Surge blocks, air-lift pumping, and mechanical tools are employed progressively until stabilisation criteria are met. The monitoring process tracks turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, and temperature across consecutive pumped volumes. Development continues until parameters stabilize-typically targeting turbidity below 10 NTU with minimal variation between successive measurements.

Following development, initial groundwater sampling establishes baseline water quality. Groundwater quality parameters include pH, conductivity, and salinity, along with major ions, metals, and site-specific analytes. Collecting water samples at this stage provides the reference dataset against which all future monitoring groundwater quality results are compared.

Installation of monitoring instrumentation follows – piezometers, pressure transducers, water level sensors, and dataloggers depending on project objectives. Groundwater monitoring systems should utilize telemetry for data acquisition and reporting, enabling continuous data collection without manual intervention.

What Makes Professional Installation Different

Most monitoring well failures trace back to shortcuts during installation. Professional installation delivers measurably different outcomes:

• Technology-agnostic approach – Rather than defaulting to standard specifications, materials and construction techniques are selected based on actual site conditions. Chemical compatibility, formation pressures, and monitoring objectives drive every decision.
• Complete quality control from drilling through commissioning – Field supervision by qualified hydrogeologists verifies materials, slot sizes, filter pack gradation, seal integrity, and development completion at each stage. Routine maintenance prevents clogging and ensures data reliability from day one.
• Integration with automated monitoring systems – Automated groundwater monitoring can reduce site visits and improve safety. Sensors measuring conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids, and pressure are installed during well construction for seamless data collection. On the Mardie Salt and Potash Project, Monitel deployed CT2X sensors across a 50 km plain under mining operations, providing real-time continuous monitoring that overcame the lag time of manual sampling methods.
• Detailed documentation and as-built records – Driller’s logs, construction logs, as-built drawings, survey data, and development records provide the audit trail that regulatory compliance demands. Monitoring wells must meet conditions set by regulatory approvals, and incomplete documentation is a common cause of compliance failure.

By contrast, typical installation shortcuts-using incorrect screen lengths, failing to seal the annulus completely, or cutting development short through insufficient flushing-produce wells that deliver misleading data. Inaccurate measurements of groundwater levels or water quality can misdirect resource management strategies, delay project approvals, and undermine remediation efforts.

Proof That Proper Installation Works

Accurate groundwater data impacts engineering decisions and project approvals. The difference between professional and substandard installation is visible in real-world project outcomes.

Monitel’s deployment of CT2X sensors across mining operations provided automated measurement of conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids, and pressure, replacing manual sampling rounds and delivering continuous data streams. This approach demonstrated how proper well construction paired with automated instrumentation transforms groundwater management from periodic snapshots into real-time operational intelligence.

Environmental compliance is fundamental to groundwater monitoring systems in mining and infrastructure. Continuous monitoring supports compliance with WA legislation, and groundwater monitoring is essential for mining project approvals in WA. Across these projects, properly installed wells consistently deliver data that withstands regulatory scrutiny and supports operational decision-making.

Who Needs Monitoring Well Installation

Monitoring well installation serves anyone who needs to collect data on groundwater conditions with confidence:

• Mining operations – Groundwater monitoring is required by WA environmental regulations for dewatering operations, environmental compliance monitoring, and protecting surrounding environment water resources from mining activities. Wells positioned to extract groundwater for dewatering must be complemented by monitoring bores tracking impacts on the broader aquifer system.
• Infrastructure projects – Construction dewatering, groundwater impact assessments, and ongoing monitoring groundwater quality around tunnels, embankments, and foundations all require properly constructed monitoring bores providing critical data for design and safety.
• Environmental consultants – Contaminated site investigations and remediation programs depend on collecting samples that accurately represent subsurface conditions. Wells designed to intercept contamination plumes and track potential contamination require materials with appropriate chemical resistance and sampling methods that prevent sample bias.
• Industrial facilities – Ongoing groundwater quality monitoring around manufacturing sites, waste facilities, and storage areas ensures compliance with environmental regulations and provides early warning of impacts to groundwater resources.

Groundwater monitoring is essential for balancing water availability and ecosystems. If your project requires defensible groundwater data, proper monitoring well installation is the foundation.

Common Installation Methods and Applications

Shallow Wells – For Water Table Monitoring

Shallow monitoring wells typically target unconfined aquifers at depths from 5 to 30 metres. Hollow auger installation is the most common construction technique-hollow stem augers advance the borehole while keeping the formation open for casing placement. PVC casing systems with slotted screens are standard for these applications.

These wells suit construction dewatering monitoring, seasonal water table tracking, and early-warning detection of surface contamination reaching shallow groundwater. Well screens should be placed to capture variations across seasonal groundwater levels, which is particularly important in Perth’s Mediterranean climate where water table fluctuations can be significant.

Deep Wells – For Confined Aquifer Monitoring

Deep monitoring wells targeting confined aquifers at depths of 50 to 200+ metres require mud rotary or sonic drilling methods to maintain borehole stability and manage formation pressures. Stainless steel casing provides the structural integrity needed for high-pressure applications and long-term durability at depth.

Multi-level monitoring systems allow depth-discrete measurements within a single borehole, reducing surface footprint while providing data across multiple aquifer zones. These installations require precise sealing between intervals to prevent cross contamination and maintain hydraulic isolation. Adequate development at each screened interval ensures representative water flow and accurate data from every monitored zone.

Contamination Assessment Wells

Wells designed for contaminated site investigations require specialised materials and protocols. Casing and screen materials are selected for chemical resistance to site-specific contaminants-stainless steel or specialty polymers where PVC might leach or degrade. Dedicated sampling equipment prevents cross-contamination between wells.

Low-flow purging techniques and careful collecting water samples protocols ensure that groundwater samples are representative of formation conditions rather than stagnant casing water. Quality assurance procedures-field blanks, duplicates, and chain-of-custody documentation-produce data that withstands regulatory and legal scrutiny, supporting defensible remediation efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does monitoring well installation take?

A shallow monitoring bore (5–20 m depth) in favourable conditions can typically be drilled, cased, sealed, and developed within a single day. Deep or confined aquifer wells (100–200+ m) may require several days to a week depending on drilling methods, formation conditions, and development time. Factors affecting installation duration include rig mobilisation, site access logistics, permitting timelines, and the complexity of geological formations encountered. Regular inspections maintain structural integrity of monitoring wells over their operational life.

What permits are required for monitoring well installation?

In Western Australia, a 26D licence under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 is required to construct or alter a well in proclaimed groundwater areas or where artesian conditions exist. Monitoring bores used solely for water level and quality observation-where you do not extract groundwater-are generally exempt from 5C water take licences in non-proclaimed areas. All construction must comply with the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia and WQPN 30 guidelines. Groundwater monitoring serves to ensure compliance with environmental approvals and regulatory standards, and monitoring wells must meet conditions set by regulatory approvals including works approval conditions that may reference ASTM D5092.

How do you ensure data quality from new monitoring wells?

Development procedures continue until water quality parameters-turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen-stabilise across consecutive pumped volumes. Monitoring wells should be cleaned regularly to ensure performance, and wellheads must be maintained to prevent contamination. Quality control includes verifying screen slot sizes against sieve analysis results, confirming filter pack gradation, testing seal integrity, and establishing baseline water quality through initial laboratory analysis. Proper monitoring confirms the well is providing representative groundwater samples before operational data collection begins.

Can monitoring wells be integrated with automated systems?

Yes. Telemetry installation during well construction allows real-time data acquisition from the moment commissioning is complete. Pressure transducers, water level sensors, and multi-parameter probes measuring electrical conductivity, temperature, and total dissolved solids can be installed within the casing during or immediately after construction. Automated groundwater monitoring can reduce site visits and improve safety, particularly on remote mining sites. Monitel’s telemetry systems record data continuously and transmit to cloud dashboards, enabling teams to collect data, identify trends, and respond to anomalies without physical site visits.

Get Started with Professional Monitoring Well Installation

Every monitoring well you install either strengthens or undermines the data your project depends on. Accurate groundwater data impacts engineering decisions and project approvals-there is no room for construction errors or design compromises.

Monitel delivers complete monitoring solutions from site assessment through commissioning and ongoing automated data collection. Whether your project requires shallow water table monitoring, deep confined aquifer assessment, or a network of monitoring bores across a mining tenement, we bring the hydrogeological expertise, drilling capability, and instrumentation technology to build wells that deliver reliable, defensible data for the life of your project.

Ready to discuss your groundwater monitoring requirements? Contact our team to start your project assessment and ensure your monitoring wells are built to perform from day one.

Groundwater is a precious resource across Australia and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) regulates over 12,000 water licences involving more than 4 trillion litres annually. As such, structured groundwater monitoring plans are a condition of most major project approvals. This article sets out what a groundwater monitoring plan should contain, who needs one, and how continuous monitoring systems support compliance with current and emerging WA regulatory expectations.

A groundwater monitoring program is a project-specific document that defines how groundwater levels and groundwater quality will be measured, analysed and reported across the life of a project. It is written for hydrogeologists, environmental managers and project engineers involved in mining operations, land development and civil infrastructure. The guidance below focuses on Western Australian requirements under the RIWI Act, the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated DWER policies, with particular attention to how automated monitoring – the type of system Monitel designs, installs and maintains – fits into these frameworks.

Core Objectives of a Groundwater Monitoring Plan

Every groundwater monitoring program should begin by defining clear, measurable objectives before specifying any instrumentation. Vague language like “monitor groundwater conditions” is not sufficient. Objectives need to state precisely what will be measured, why, and what decisions the data will inform.

Typical objectives include:

• Protecting groundwater resources, surface water and groundwater-dependent ecosystems from adverse impacts
• Satisfying specific licence or environmental approvals conditions
• Informing dewatering design and validating computer models of aquifer response
• Tracking potential contamination risks from project activities
• Supporting groundwater management decisions around water availability and sustainable use

Objectives should distinguish between level monitoring (quantity, drawdown, recovery, water table behaviour) and quality monitoring (salinity, heavy metals, nutrients, hydrocarbons and other potential contaminants). An effective groundwater monitoring plan assesses the status of aquifers in a way that supports informed decisions concerning environmental compliance.

The objectives for a Pilbara iron ore mine with a 50 ML/day dewatering scheme will differ substantially from those for an urban infill development on the Swan Coastal Plain, where the concern is maintaining separation between lot levels and shallow groundwater, and protecting nearby wetlands. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems are sensitive to water level changes, and this sensitivity must be reflected in how objectives are framed.

Regulatory and Compliance Context in Western Australia

Groundwater monitoring obligations in WA arise primarily from:

• Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (RIWI Act) – 5C licences for groundwater abstraction and 26D licences for constructing or altering monitoring wells in proclaimed groundwater areas
• Environmental Protection Act 1986 – Ministerial Statements, Part V licences for prescribed premises, and environmental approvals that often specify groundwater monitoring for prescribed premises
• Contaminated Sites Act 2003 – site investigation and management orders requiring monitoring to delineate contamination
• Water in Mining Guideline (DWER, updated July 2025) – expectations for mine project monitoring, abstraction licensing and risk assessment

In proclaimed groundwater areas such as the Gnangara Mound or Pilbara coastal aquifers, 26D licences are required before constructing monitoring bores that target confined aquifers, and 5C licences are needed for any significant abstraction. Environmental approvals commonly specify monitoring frequency, water quality parameters, and reporting deadlines.

Post-2023, DWER has placed increasing emphasis on cumulative drawdown assessment, climate change impacts on recharge, and data integrity. Southern WA has experienced roughly 15% less annual rainfall since the mid-1970s, leading to significant declines in streamflow and recharge. This makes continuous, defensible groundwater data more important than ever. Groundwater monitoring is essential for sustainable management in Perth and across WA’s regions.

When Groundwater Monitoring Plans Are Required Across Industries

Groundwater monitoring programs are not universal documents as they are triggered by specific project types, regulatory conditions and site risks. Rather than listing generic scenarios, the following sections describe concrete circumstances where monitoring is required, each with its own implications for network design, parameters and monitoring frequency.

Common triggers include:

• New mining projects with significant dewatering or tailings storage
• Major road, rail and tunnel construction intersecting groundwater
• Industrial facilities with chemical storage or waste handling
• Landfills and waste management sites
• Large greenfield estates on shallow groundwater
• Contaminated site investigations and remediation
• Managed aquifer recharge schemes

Each circumstance shapes the locations of monitoring wells, the target aquifers, which water quality parameters are tracked, and whether manual or continuous monitoring is appropriate.

Mining, Dewatering and Tailings Facilities

Hard-rock and iron ore mines across the Pilbara, Goldfields and Mid West commonly require detailed groundwater monitoring plans linked to dewatering operations and tailings storage facilities. Mining activities in these regions can involve pumping tens of megalitres per day, creating significant drawdown cones that may extend kilometres from the pit.

Plans typically specify monitoring bores upgradient and downgradient of pits, dewatering bores and tailings embankments, with depths targeting specific aquifers and pore pressure zones. Common monitored parameters include:

• Groundwater levels and drawdown trends
• Total dissolved solids and salinity
• Heavy metals, acidity, and pH
• Seepage indicators from tailings
• Interaction with nearby pastoral bores, springs or local ecosystems

In WA, regulators increasingly expect automated level loggers and telemetry at high-risk sites so that exceedances of drawdown trigger levels are detected in near real time. Automated systems transmit groundwater data for real-time analysis, reducing reliance on periodic manual measurements.

Major Civil Infrastructure, Rail and Transport Projects

Highways, rail corridors and tunnel projects in WA – including freeway extensions and METRONET works – frequently intersect groundwater and soft soils. A monitoring plan for these projects needs to capture pre-construction baseline groundwater data across at least one or two wet seasons to support geotechnical design and settlement assessments. Monitoring informs drainage design, safety, and flood risk assessments for subdivisions and transport corridors.

Monitoring wells are typically placed along alignments, at cuttings, near bridge abutments and adjacent to wetlands or creeks. Both groundwater levels and quality changes are tracked during construction and operation. Continuous groundwater monitoring integrated with structural instruments such as inclinometers and settlement markers allows engineers to correlate pore pressure changes with ground movement – a crucial role in managing construction risk on sensitive alignments.

Utilities, Industrial Facilities and Waste Management Sites

Fuel depots, chemical plants, power stations, wastewater treatment facilities and landfills each present distinct contamination risks that drive specific monitoring requirements. Monitoring is essential for preventing contamination at historical industrial sites and at operational facilities where potential contamination sources are present.

Realistic contaminants of concern at WA sites include:

• Hydrocarbons around fuel storage
• PFAS near firefighting training grounds
• Nutrients and metals near wastewater infrastructure
• Leachate indicators around landfills

Plans for these sites typically specify a ring of monitoring wells around the facility perimeter, with screen depths matched to likely contaminant pathways. Continuous groundwater level data helps distinguish contamination-driven changes from normal seasonal fluctuations or over extraction by nearby users, supporting more accurate interpretation of groundwater sampling results.

Land Development, Contaminated Sites and Urban Groundwater

In Perth and regional centres like Bunbury and Geraldton, shallow water table conditions and acid sulphate soils directly affect subdivision design and drainage infrastructure. Monitoring helps track water table levels and salinity risk in Perth’s aquifers, and establishing baseline data for groundwater quality is necessary before land-use changes proceed.

Monitoring plans for greenfield estates include networks of shallow monitoring wells to track groundwater levels relative to lot levels, drainage infrastructure, wetlands and ecosystems that depend on groundwater. Regular monitoring helps prevent ecological stress in sensitive wetland areas. Groundwater monitoring in Perth ensures compliance with environmental regulations and is an integral part of environmental management across the metropolitan area.

Contaminated site assessments – for example at ex-service stations or former industrial lots – require bore locations, depth intervals and collecting samples over multiple rounds to delineate plumes. Groundwater monitoring helps detect contamination from heavy metals and pesticides that may persist in soil and aquifer materials. Continuous monitoring can be especially valuable at urban sites where tidal influences, irrigation and stormwater injections cause rapid water level fluctuations that affect plume behaviour.

Defining the Conceptual Hydrogeological Model

Every robust groundwater monitoring plan should incorporate a concise conceptual hydrogeological model – not just bore logs, but a clear narrative and diagrams showing how groundwater moves through the site. Groundwater monitoring uses technology to observe underground water sources, but interpreting that data requires understanding the hydrogeological setting.

The model should cover:

• Stratigraphy and aquifer types (unconfined, semi-confined, confined)
• Hydraulic connectivity between units
• Recharge and discharge zones
• Known abstraction bores and their influence
• Nearby groundwater-dependent ecosystems and surface water features

Existing datasets from DWER bore records, geological mapping and previous site investigations form the starting point. The conceptual model then justifies the location and depth of each monitoring well and provides the framework for interpreting groundwater level and quality trends over time.

Designing the Monitoring Network and Monitoring Wells

The monitoring network needs to adequately sample relevant groundwater conditions without unnecessary cost. Key design principles include:

• Upgradient wells to establish background water quality and levels
• Downgradient wells to detect project impacts
• Nested wells screening multiple aquifers at the same location
• Sentinel wells positioned between the project and sensitive receptors such as wetlands, private bores or ecosystems

Bore design must include proper construction to ensure groundwater monitoring accuracy. Casing materials (PVC for most fresh groundwater applications, stainless steel in corrosive or saline environments), screen intervals, gravel pack specifications and well protection should all be defined in the plan. Bore holes must be constructed under the appropriate 26D licence in proclaimed areas.

The plan should specify how groundwater levels will be referenced – metres below Top of Casing (TOC), then converted to metres Australian Height Datum (mAHD) – to ensure data comparability between campaigns and across many years of monitoring.

Bore Construction Specifications and Installation Records

A monitoring plan is not complete without clear, auditable bore construction specifications and templates for as-built records. Well construction standards in Western Australia require adherence to technical specifications set out in guidance such as WQPG 4.

Key items to define for each bore include:

• Target depth and screen length
• Slot size and gravel pack
• Sealing intervals (bentonite or cement grout)
• Development requirements
• Minimum separation from services or structures

Detailed construction logs – drilling method, lithology, water strikes, depths, materials and final construction diagrams – must be recorded and retained. These records support long-term data interpretation, rehabilitation planning and eventual bore decommissioning. Groundwater monitoring involves drilling boreholes for water sampling, and the quality of those boreholes directly determines the quality of the data.

Parameters, Data Collection Methods and Monitoring Frequency

The plan should specify what will be measured at each bore and how data collection will occur, distinguishing between continuous sensors and manual groundwater sampling.

Level monitoring methods include electric water level meters for manual readings, vibrating wire piezometers for pore pressure measurement, and submersible pressure transducers for automated groundwater level logging.

Quality monitoring typically covers field parameters and laboratory analysis. Groundwater quality monitoring includes measuring pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature and redox potential in the field. Water samples are then submitted for laboratory analysis against a defined suite including major ions, metals, nutrients, hydrocarbons and, where relevant, PFAS. Parameters monitored include physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water. Water quality samples are commonly tested against 40 different parameters, depending on site risk. Groundwater monitoring must follow AS/NZS 5667 standards for sampling to ensure defensible results.

Coastal bores are monitored for electrical conductivity to detect seawater intrusion – a growing concern as climate change affects water resources along the WA coast.

Monitoring frequency should be risk-based: 15-minute logging intervals for automated transmitters at high-risk dewatering sites, monthly manual sampling at active waste facilities, and quarterly or annual sampling at low-risk locations.

Continuous Groundwater Monitoring and Telemetry

Continuous monitoring is where automated sensors, data loggers and telemetry (GSM or satellite) transmit groundwater levels and selected water quality parameters to a central cloud platform in near real time. Automated monitoring improves data collection frequency and accuracy for groundwater management – capturing transient events such as storm pulses, pump shutdowns and tidal responses that manual readings miss entirely.

Pressure transducers are used for automated groundwater level logging, selected to suit local conditions – fresh versus saline, corrosive environments, and bore depth. Engineering considerations include power supply (solar and battery for remote WA sites), data logging intervals, and redundancy for critical monitoring wells. Satellite data can infer groundwater changes across large aquifers, supplementing bore-based measurements.

Continuous datasets support compliance with trigger level frameworks, enable real-time alerts when groundwater levels or quality exceed thresholds, and substantially reduce manual site visits in remote locations. For projects where monitoring is essential across vast distances – common in WA mining – this approach transforms what is practical. Groundwater monitoring can include automated systems for real-time data, making the monitoring process far more responsive than periodic manual rounds.

Data Management, QA/QC and Groundwater Data Integrity

A monitoring plan must address the full data lifecycle – from field measurement to validated groundwater monitoring data ready for computer models and regulatory reports. Standard operating procedures are necessary for reliable data in groundwater monitoring, and quality assurance measures should be embedded from day one.

Typical QA/QC measures include:

• Equipment calibration schedules
• Barometric and density corrections for pressure transducers
• Field duplicates and blanks
• Accredited laboratory analysis with clear chains of custody
• Metadata recording (sensor serial numbers, datum references, screen intervals)

The plan should specify digital data capture, naming conventions and centralised databases or cloud dashboards. Data analysis is crucial for identifying contamination trends in groundwater, and effective groundwater management requires long-term datasets for trend analysis. Automated checks for sensor drift, missing data and outliers help produce audit-ready datasets that hold up under regulatory scrutiny.

Trigger Levels, Thresholds and Management Responses

A monitoring plan should use groundwater data to drive decisions, not simply accumulate measurements. Setting trigger levels for water quality and quantity initiates corrective actions when values are exceeded. Environmental provisions are maintained by safeguarding minimum groundwater levels through these frameworks.

The process involves:

1. Establishing baseline groundwater data from multiple sampling rounds across different seasons
2. Setting Class 1 triggers (early warning, internal review) and Class 2 triggers (significant, requiring regulator notification)
3. Defining clear management responses for each level

Responses might include increased monitoring frequency, investigation of causes, adjustment of pumping rates, implementation of mitigation measures, and notification of DWER within specified timeframes (commonly 14 days). Continuous monitoring allows much earlier detection of trend changes compared with infrequent manual readings, making trigger frameworks effective rather than retrospective.

Reporting, Auditing and Regulator Communication

The monitoring plan should define reporting formats, timelines and expectations for external review. Common requirements include:

• Monthly or quarterly summary dashboards for internal teams
• Annual groundwater monitoring reports for licence compliance
• Event-based reports when triggers are exceeded

Reports should include time-series plots of groundwater levels and quality, hydrographs tied to rainfall and abstraction data, maps of monitoring wells, and clear commentary on trends and compliance status. For long-term WA projects with multi-decade operating lives, plans should also allow for periodic independent audits of the monitoring network and data management systems.

Well Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Decommissioning

Lifecycle considerations are often overlooked in early planning but are critical for maintaining data quality over many years. The monitoring program should define:

• Annual bore condition inspections
• Cleaning and redevelopment schedules after sedimentation
• Replacement of damaged casing or headworks
• Criteria for rehabilitating underperforming wells
• Procedures for decommissioning bores at the end of their useful life, in accordance with WA guidelines

Continuous monitoring installations require additional maintenance provisions: sensor retrieval, recalibration, replacement, and telemetry hardware upgrades over the project life. Neglecting these requirements leads to gradual data degradation that undermines the entire monitoring effort.

Monitel’s Approach to Developing Continuous Groundwater Monitoring Plans

Monitel works with hydrogeologists, environmental teams and civil engineers across Western Australia to translate licence conditions and project risks into practical, automated groundwater monitoring systems.

The typical workflow includes:

1. Review of environmental approvals, existing groundwater data and site conditions
2. Refinement of monitoring objectives with the project team
3. Instrumentation selection independent of any single vendor
4. Design and installation of automated monitoring wells with telemetry and cloud dashboards
5. Configuration of alarms tied to project-specific trigger levels

Monitel’s engineering-led approach focuses on long-term reliability in remote and harsh WA environments, including redundancy, robust power systems and secure data storage. Groundwater monitoring can also be integrated with other geotechnical instrumentation – vibrating wire piezometers in embankments, settlement monitoring systems, inclinometers – to provide a cohesive risk management picture across the project.

Putting It All Together: Checklist for a Robust Groundwater Monitoring Plan

Before finalising a groundwater monitoring plan, verify that it addresses each of the following:

• Clear, measurable objectives for both quantity and quality monitoring
• Regulatory context (RIWI Act licences, EP Act conditions, Ministerial Statements)
• Conceptual hydrogeological model with diagrams
• Monitoring network design with justified bore locations and depths
• Bore construction specifications and as-built record templates
• Defined parameters, sampling methods and monitoring frequency
• Continuous monitoring and telemetry strategy where risk warrants it
• Data management, QA/QC procedures and metadata standards
• Trigger levels with defined management responses and notification obligations
• Reporting framework with timelines and formats
• Maintenance, rehabilitation and decommissioning provisions

Consider where continuous monitoring and automated telemetry could replace or supplement manual field rounds to reduce risk and improve data quality – particularly on high-value or high-risk WA projects where monitoring groundwater quality and levels is central to project approval.

Getting the plan right from the start avoids costly retrofits, reduces compliance risk and produces datasets that hold up under regulatory and independent review. If you are developing or upgrading a groundwater monitoring plan, speak with Monitel’s team about how continuous monitoring systems can be designed to meet your project’s specific requirements and current WA regulatory expectations.