Vibrating Wire vs Standpipe Piezometer: Which Is Best for Your Project?

To ensure reliable data and long-term monitoring success, you must choose the right piezometer.

Two of the most commonly used sensors in this class are the Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VWP) and the Standpipe Piezometer. Each has distinct advantages and limitations, and choosing the right one depends on your site conditions, regulatory obligations, data needs and project duration.

In this article, we outline how the two compare and offer guidance on when to use each. For more information about vibrating wire piezometer installation, monitoring and costing, get in touch with our team.

What Is a Standpipe Piezometer?

A standpipe piezometer is a simple groundwater monitoring tool typically installed in a borehole. It is constructed with a porous filter tip connected to a riser pipe, which extends to the surface. The water level inside the pipe is a direct reflection of the pore water pressure at the depth of the tip.

These systems are most commonly used for manual monitoring, where water levels can be comfortably measured with a tape, float or pressure transducer.

Key features:

• Cost-effective and easy to install
• No power supply required
• Suitable for short- to medium-term projects
• Provides water level readings, not continuous pressure data

What Is a Vibrating Wire Piezometer?

A vibrating wire piezometer is an electronic sensor that measures pore pressure using a diaphragm and vibrating wire mechanism. Changes in pore pressure alter the tension in the wire, which is converted to a readable frequency signal and recorded by a logger.

VWPs are widely used in infrastructure, resources and tailings dam projects in WA. They are a particularly popular choice where automated, real-time monitoring is a requirement.

Key features:

• High accuracy and stability
• Suitable for long-term monitoring
• Compatible with remote and automated systems
• Performs well in harsh or saturated conditions

Key Comparisons

When to Use a Standpipe Piezometer

Standpipe piezometers are suitable for:

• Environmental baseline studies with occasional data requirements
• Short-duration construction sites that don’t need automated alerts
• Sites where funding or access constraints prevent a more complex or automated system
• Manual verification alongside automated systems

These applications reveal the standpipe piezometer’s 3 key advantages: simplicity, ease of installation and a minimal need for infrastructure.

On the other hand, they offer limited resolution and are not suitable for projects requiring real-time pressure updates.

When to Use a Vibrating Wire Piezometer

VWPs are preferred for:

• Tailings dam monitoring, where accurate, continuous pressure tracking is often mandated by WA regulations
• Borehole installations, particularly those supporting settlement studies, embankment behaviour or water table monitoring
• Infrastructure and mining compliance, where the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 and WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022 require robust data
• Automated early warning systems, particularly in areas of known instability

Standard VWPs boast a robust build, but there are also high-temperature models available. These are a suitable choice for monitoring in remote WA, where harsh conditions are often a barrier for accurate and reliable data. Furthermore, most VWPs can be set up with automated telemetry, reduing the need for site visits.

Which Sensor Is Right for You?

If you are looking to construct a monitoring system, ask the following when choosing between VWPs and standpipes:

• What are the regulatory requirements for my project?
• Do I need real-time or high-frequency data?
• How long will the monitoring period last?
• Is remote or automated access important?
• What is the risk level if pore pressure is not closely tracked?

For low-risk or temporary sites, standpipes may be sufficient. But for regulated, high-stakes or long-term projects, VWPs are the safer, more informative choice.

Contact Monitel for Structural and Geotechnical Monitoring Advice

Choosing the right piezometer is about ensuring your data is reliable, actionable and suited to your project’s requirements. In Western Australia, where regulatory frameworks and geotechnical conditions are demanding, Vibrating Wire Piezometers are increasingly becoming the standard.

At Monitel, we offer vibrating wire, standpipe and other varieties of piezometer. Guided by our product agnostic approach, our team will advise you on the system best suited to your site and budget. Following design and selection, you can rest easy knowing that we will continue to support you through installation, data collection and compliance reporting.

To speak with us about your monitoring needs, contact Monitel at admin@monitel.com.au or call (08) 6219 8284.