Temporary Wells

What are temporary wells? 

Temporary wells are developed for a variety of environmental and Geotech purposes, ranging from sampling and measuring depth to groundwater, to injecting remediation amendments and installing piezometers. They are most commonly used, however, during site characterization projects.

These wells are generally installed in boreholes, driven by direct push technology (DPT). They consist of a solid riser, well screen, and a bottom point or cap. A filter sand pack may or may not be installed.

How do temporary wells work? 

Temporary wells are typically installed through 2.25 inch or 3.25 inch casing with an expendable point.  The casing is driven to the desired depth, and the small diameter PVC (riser and screen) will be advanced through the casing. Once it’s reached the correct depth, the casing is extracted from the subsurface, leaving the expendable point and PVC behind in the ground.

What are common reasons for using temporary wells? 

Temporary wells are used for measuring things like…

• The depth of groundwater
• Groundwater flow
• Contaminants in groundwater
• The presence and location of contaminants in the subsurface
• Ground movement

They can also be used to inject amendments into the subsurface when using remediation approaches like…

• In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO)
• In situ chemical reduction (ISCR)
• Bioremediation
• Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs)

Why choose temporary wells? 

Temporary wells offer several advantages, especially when compared to permanent wells.

• When installing a temporary well, there is minimal waste produced.
• Temporary well development is fast.
• With minimal environmental disturbance, these wells can be installed with small DPT units.
• They’re inexpensive to install, replace or abandon.