Groundwater Monitoring and Interpretation

Meiser & Earl, Inc. designed and installed a groundwater monitoring network at a new landfill site in a backfilled coal strip mine which was underlain by an abandoned coal deep mine.  The monitoring network was based on the hydrogeologic setting and groundwater flow directions determined by test borings and wells drilled to various depths.  The monitoring wells were installed into multiple geologic units, including the coal deep mine.  The wells were sampled on a quarterly basis, per the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations.  The water-quality data were evaluated quarterly for any indication of groundwater degradation, based on time-series plots and trend (or statistical) analyses.  After eventual detection of degradation, Meiser & Earl, Inc. prepared a Groundwater Assessment Plan, conducted a Groundwater Assessment, and completed a Groundwater Abatement Plan per the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations.

Meiser & Earl, Inc., in response to PADEP, drilled and installed 14 monitoring wells into 60‑foot thick river sediments to track the movement of a plume of brine and trihalomethanes created by waste storage in unlined lagoons.  Investigation revealed a groundwater pollution pattern that was vertically stratified and areally consistent with the physical flow system that we established.  We have prepared several reports on our work and continue to sample the monitoring well network quarterly to define any changes in the plume.

Disposal of wastes from the manufacturing of refractory bricks occurred at a non-permitted site for approximately 75 years until 1985.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. performed a groundwater investigation to determine the nature and extent of contamination.  Nitrates up to several hundred mg/l were found in the groundwater.  After more than 10 years of monitoring, the extent of contamination did not increase and downward trends of nitrate concentrations were established.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. worked with the Pennsylvania DEP in obtaining an Act 2 release of liability.

Meiser & Earl, Inc. conducted quarterly monitoring at an operating, lined landfill for stabilized sludges.  This involved the sampling of nine wells with a submersible pump, interpretation of chemical and physical data, and use of a computer model to predict downgradient spreading from a small spill.  Additional mass‑balance work was done to separate the chemical effects in the groundwater system due to an adjacent uncontrolled landfill which had caused local groundwater pollution.

Meiser & Earl, Inc. conducts quarterly monitoring of residential wells surrounding a limestone quarry in central Pennsylvania.  Meiser & Earl, Inc. collects samples from the wells for water-quality analyses and measures water levels in the wells.  In addition, Meiser & Earl, Inc. obtains water-quality and water-level data from onsite monitoring wells and water-quality and flow data from an onsite stream.  After plotting the data and conducting trend analyses for any impacts from the quarry operations, Meiser & Earl, Inc. prepares an annual report for submittal to the PA Department of Environmental Protection.