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| Waterloo Multilevel System |
| Model 401 |
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| Waterloo Multilevel Groundwater Monitoring System* |
| The Waterloo System is used to obtain groundwater
samples, hydraulic head measurements and
permeability measurements from many discretely
isolated zones in a single borehole.
The Waterloo System originated with Dr. John
Cherry at the Groundwater Institute of the
University of Waterloo in 1984. Ongoing
development of the System by Solinst has taken
place on a continuous basis since then, with
encouragement and suggestions from Dr. Cherry. *Manufactured under exclusive license from the University of Waterloo. Canadian Patent #1232836 U.S. Patent #5048605 & International Patents. |
| Detailed 3-D Data |
| When a number of Waterloo Systems are used at a site, they allow detailed three-dimensional groundwater information to be obtained at a reasonable cost. Fewer drilled holes are an advantage and monitoring times are reduced. The simple modular system is customized for the needs of each project. This allows monitoring zones to be placed at desired depths using options suitable for either bedrock, overburden or combination applications and with either permanent or removable systems. Discrete zone monitoring is the only means of obtaining accurate data for site interpretation and assessments. Transects of multilevels provide the detailed data necessary to calculate mass flux and conservatively assess risk to receptors. |
| Advantages |
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| Detailed 3-D Data |
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| Why Multilevels |
Superior quality of data is obtained when monitoring a series of
discrete isolated intervals at various depths in a single borehole.
The detailed information provided by Multilevels in the form of
horizontal and vertical flow, in conjunction with discrete zone
sampling for contaminants, is ideal for accurate site assessments.
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| The Waterloo System |
| The System uses modular components which form a sealed
casing string of various casing lengths, packers, ports, a
base plug and a surface manifold. This allows accurate placement of ports at precise monitoring zones. |
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| Ports |
| Monitoring ports are constructed from 316 stainless steel.
Ports are isolated by packers at each desired monitoring
zone and are individually connected to the surface manifold
with narrow diameter tubing. Thus formation water enters
the port, passes into the stem, up into the monitoring tube
attached to the stem, to its static level. A sampling pump or pressure transducer may be dedicated to each monitoring zone by attachment to the port stem. Dual stem ports are available to allow both sampling and hydraulic head measurements from the same port. Alternatively, the monitoring tubes may be left open to allow sampling and hydraulic head measurements with portable equipment. For installations in silty deposits there are special sampling ports with extra screening to prevent silt entry into the port. |
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| Permanent Waterloo Packers |
| Permanent packers ensure long term integrity of seals in cored bedrock holes and cased wells. They use a water activated expansion sleeve fitted over the perforated packer body. A layer of porous plastic distributes water evenly to the packer expansion material. A Rubber/Kevlar/Rubber sheath envelops the expansion material. The Kevlar layer provides strength to bridge across large fissures. The pliant gum rubber forms an effective seal against the borehole wall. Water is added to the inside of the sealed casing string after installation. The water passes through the packer body into the expansion sleeve, causing the material to expand. Thus an engineered seal is permanently formed against the borehole wall. |  |
| Overburden Applications |
Waterloo Multilevel Systems can be used to monitor multiple
zones within unconsolidated formations, as well as in
bedrock. There are three methods of System installation:
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| Removable Hydraulic Packers |
| These packers allow reuse of the system at other zones or new locations. They facilitate system maintenance and borehole decommissioning, simplify grouting of the hole and allow parts of the system to be reused. Removable packers are made with black carbon rubber and are inflated hydraulically or pneumatically by pressurizing the interior of the Waterloo System casing string. Packers can be constructed to suit various diameters of holes. |  |
| Installation within Wellscreen/Casing |
| A permanent 3” or 4” casing and screen string can be installed by a drilling contractor using typical sand and bentonite placement methods. Then a Waterloo System with either permanent or removable packers can be installed within the screen and casing string, as in a bedrock borehole. |
| Installs Quickly |
| Installation of the Waterloo System is quick and easy.
Starting with the base plug and lowermost sections,
the components are joined together in the order required.
As each new port is put into position a new monitoring
tube, dedicated pump and/or transducer is connected to
it. Successive components are threaded over these tubes,
building the casing string, until the System is complete. Typically, installations are completed in a day, using a 3-4 member team. Depending on the depth, a drill rig may be required. Solinst can provide a trained technician to assist with installation. |
| System Flexibility |
The Waterloo System is extremely flexible to your design
criteria. Each System is customized to suit monitoring needs,
site conditions and budget constraints:
Materials For particular applications specific materials may be chosen. These may include stainless steel casing and packer bodies, and stainless steel, nylon or Teflon® tubing. |
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| Borehole Size Waterloo or removable packers are designed for use in 3"- 4” boreholes (75 - 100 mm). Systems can be installed in larger boreholes using:
The maximum number of monitoring zones for a System is determined by the number of tubes and/or cables that will fit inside the casing string. This number is dependent on the monitoring options chosen. Systems can be designed to monitor from 2 to as many as 24 zones. |
Standard 2” (50mm)
Waterloo System |
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Site Dependent
Monitoring Options |
# Zones | |
Dedicated Pumps and
Transducers |
8 |
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Dedicated Pumps and
Transducers |
15 |
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Dedicated Pumps and
Open Tubes |
6 |
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Dedicated Pumps Only |
12 |
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Dedicated Pressure
Transducers Only |
24 |
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| Monitoring Options |
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| Dedicated Sampling Pumps |
| Dedicated equipment reduces the time and effort required
to obtain data, as equipment is not lowered down
the borehole and purge volumes are reduced. It gives
significant cost savings and avoids cross contamination. For long term or frequent sampling Waterloo Systems most commonly use the gas drive, Solinst Double Valve Pumps with stainless steel and Teflon® valves. A pump is connected directly to the stem of each port and dual line polyethylene or Teflon® tubing connects the pump to the wellhead manifold. Both automatic and manual pump control units are simple to use. They have quick-connect couplings with only a single connection to the manifold required. Samples from all levels are easily and rapidly obtained. Purging from some or all levels simultaneously is accommodated by the multi-purge feature of the manifold. Low Flow Purging and Sampling Purge volumes are very small due to the small annular space and tubing diameters used in the system. Consequently sampling is rapid, even though flows are low, especially with dedicated pumps when all zones can be purged simultaneously. Dedicated Bladder and Double Valve Pumps, (DVP), as well as a portable DVP are ideal for use when low flow sampling and purging techniques are desired. Portable Micro Double Valve Pump The Micro Double Valve Pump (Micro DVP) provides high quality samples, uses coaxial Teflon® tubing, and is small enough to fit in 1/2” (13 mm) ID tubing. The unique combination of flexibility and size make the pump ideal for sampling at depth in small flexible tubes. Dedicated Transducers Dedicated pressure transducers allow rapid and accurate measurement of temperature and total water pressure. Unless static water levels are shallow, transducers are the preferred method of water level measurement, both from an efficiency and an accuracy point of view. The transducers chosen for use in the Waterloo System are vibrating wire transducers, which are very accurate and rugged. They have superior long term operation with minimal drift over time. They can be read with a manual readout, or with a datalogger which can provide remote, unattended monitoring and telemetry, if desired. Transducers are available with pressure ranges from 50 psi to 500 psi. (7.25 kPa to 72.5 kPa). Portable Monitoring Equipment Water level measurements can be made in Waterloo ports fitted with an open tube using the narrow, Solinst Model 102, P1 Water Level Meter. It has a weighted, flexible probe, 1/4" OD by 1.5” long (6.35mm x 38 mm). Sampling may be performed in open tubes using a Mini Inertial Pump, Micro Double Valve Pump, or a Peristaltic Pump. Designing Your System The options chosen for each System will be site and application specific. Each design is dependent on:
Refer to the drawings below, then select the type of
installation that suits your project. Consider the size and
depth of each borehole, and whether casing is to be
present. Decide if permanent or temporary Systems are
preferred, the number of zones and depth of each zone per
System, the monitoring options preferred, and any special
materials required.
Applications
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| Reliable Data |
The effectiveness of the Waterloo System is proven by its
ability to accurately and repeatedly obtain pressure and
groundwater chemistry data from several distinct zones in a
single borehole. The data set below shows a decrease in
Total BTEX contamination due to ongoing pump and treat
operations at an oil pipeline leak. |
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Underground oil pipeline leak assessment. Three 150 ft. (45m) installations. Two point rising head permeability tests were conducted in each interval of the Multilevel System. |
