Using a Piezometer to Meet Regulatory Requirements in Western Australia

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

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

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

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

What are the Water Pressure Regulations in Western Australia?

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

Important requirements to consider include:

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

What Industries Require a Piezometer for Monitoring?

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

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

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

How Monitel Supports Compliance

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

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

Monitel: Perth Based Piezometer Supplier

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

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

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