AUDIENCE: Consultants/industry/legislators/governmental officials

BACKGROUND: In 1983, 39,084 monitoring wells were installed, according to a survey done for the Water Well Journal. By the 1985 survey, that figure had jumped to 121,294. For 1985, monitoring wells were second only to domestic water wells as far as numbers drilled.

In the Manual of Ground-Water Sampling Procedures, Scalf et al. state:

"The success of a ground water monitoring program depends on numerous factors; however. the location, design, and construction of the monitoring wells is usually the most costly and non-repeatable factor. Hence, it is extremely important that the well construction be accomplished properly at the outset."

Production wells may be used to obtain samples in ambient ground water monitoring programs. However production wells should not be used for more detailed source, case-preparation. and research types of monitoring, according to Barcelona et al.

The majority of respondents in a recent survey considered safety training and specialized well drilling instruction extremely important factors to consider when evaluating entry into the monitoring well business.

ISSUE: Should individuals installing monitoring wells be licensed to ensure that the integrity of a monitoring program is not impaired by improper monitoring well installation?

POSITION: The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) supports the administration and proper enforcement by states of a specialized licensing program for drillers supervising the installation of monitoring wells. NGWA recognizes the specific expertise needed to install monitoring wells and the fact that production well technology may not be appropriate, for monitoring programs. In addition, particular care and knowledge are needed to assure that construction methods and materials do not bias sampling programs and do not exacerbate an already existing ground water contamination situation. NGWA has instituted a special voluntary certification program for monitoring well drillers and encourages states to adopt this certification test as a part of their monitoring well driller licensing program. The use of a national test provides a method of assuring a minimum level of competence throughout the industry, a standard of protection for the resource, and a pathway to reciprocity. NGWA opposes grandfathering of individuals under monitoring well driller licensing programs.

NGWA recognizes the inherent health risks that may be present at sites where monitoring wells are installed. Proof of completion of a 40-hour safety training course meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's standards should, therefore, be a requirement for initial license issuance. Additionally, completion of an annual eight-hour health and safety refresher course should be a condition for license renewal.

In order to maintain the level of competence as demonstrated by successful completion of the initial license test and to assure that advances in technology and science are applied in the field, NGWA endorses the concept of proof of continuing education as a prerequisite to license renewal. States are urged to scrutinize educational offerings and accept only those directly related to the monitoring well field for meeting this continuing education requirement.

NGWA believes that attendance at practical, field-oriented courses in monitoring well construction would benefit individuals wanting to enter the monitoring well market. Educational providers are encouraged to develop additional applied courses in monitoring well construction to meet this need.

NGWA recommends that state monitoring well driller licensing programs encompass all types of monitoring wells and suggests the following definition for consideration:

Monitoring well: a water well that is constructed within a soil or rock boring for the purpose of determining water levels and monitoring chemical, biological. and physical properties of ground water.

CONTACT: Chris Reimer, NGWA, 800/ 551-7379

REFERENCES: Barcelona, Michael J., James P. Gibb, Robin A. Miller. A Guide to the Selection of Materials for Monitoring Well Construction and Ground-Water Sampling, 1983.

McCray, Kevin. "Contractors Optimistic About Monitoring Business," Water Well Journal, Vol. 42, No. 5, p. 47, 1988

McCray, Kevin. "Water Well Industry Survey.' Water Well Journal, Vol. 40, No. 9, p 58, 1986.

Scalf, Marion R., James F. McNabb, William J. Dunlap, Roger L. Cosby, John Fryberger. Manual of Ground- Water Sampling Procedures, 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RCRA Ground Water Monitoring Technical Enforcement Guidance Document. 1986.