WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE

By
GYANESH BHATNAGAR UWB/62

1. Equipment Required
A. GPS
B. Thraya/GSM
C. Area Maps with wells marked
D. Electric Water Level Indicator (Water Level Dip meter) graduated in metric system
and can be read up to 0.01m ( 1/100th of a metre)
E. Length of the Dipmeter/Interface meter – 100m, 200m and 300m
F. Spare sets of Battery ( suitable for the type of dip meter used)
G. Cleaning cloth or wool
H. Tailor’s cloth tape/steel tape
I. Spray paint (red)
J. Chain Tongue/spanner key set/ screw drivers
K. Record book/ pen pencil
L. Lap top computer with ADSL connectivity
M. Time clock
N. Hand gloves
O. OBTAIN EMERGENCY CONTROL ROOM NUMBERS IN EACH AREA.
2. Pre – Preparation
1. Locate and mark wells on the map to be measured.
2. Obtain Grid Coordinates from records
3. Enter Coordinates in GPS and in lap top
4. Estimate time required to complete the route and plan day’s work according to
distance to be covered to reach site, depth to water level to be measured
5. Finalise a circular route to minimise dead running and wastage of time
6. Mark your starting point coordinates in GPS.
7. Keep Journey Manager informed as per plan
8. Leave for work early in the summers and finish work in time to reach camp by
1800hours
3. HSE
1. Use cover all, safety shoes all the time
2. Safety glasses and hand gloves outside vehicle
3. Use cleaning wool to clean probe and the tape of the dip meter.
4. Check for all necessary equipment in the car and maps etc.
5. Store sufficient quantity of drinking water/ juices or snacks for the day
6. Always TOP up Gas Tank in your vehicle before starting for work from base camp
7. Check your vehicle as per HSE requirements
8. Complete your Journey plan and hand it over to Journey Manager before
commencing Journey.
9. Keep Contract Manager ( contractor) and CH informed about your plans.
4. WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENT

•Before starting journey, have tool box talk with your coworkers and explain the
work, conditions expected and precautions to be taken.
• Upon approaching the first well, unlock the protective steel well-head cover and
remove the well cap.
• Note the well ID, date and time of day in the field notebook and on the Water-
Level Elevation Data Sheet (Attachment B).
• Identify the Measuring Point (either marked by a Hexsaw grove or painted arrow
on top casing or on top of Plug in the well cap.
• Commonly, a surveyed measuring point is prominently marked at the top of the
well casing. If a surveyed measuring point does not exist, place a mark on the
casing as a reference measuring point. The mark should be permanent; a groove
cut with a file is recommended. If the measuring point is missing or unknown,
record the reference point from which the measurement was made. If Measuring
point height (m. above ground level) is not recorded, measure it and note down in
the data sheet in appropriate column.
• Open the top cover/ Plug by rewinding or pulling out. Allow the well to
equilibrate to atmospheric pressure
• Lower an electric water-level meter or equivalent into the well until the water
surface is encountered.
• Measure the depth to water (DTW), defined as the distance from the water surface
to the measuring point. Repeat the DTW readings until results are reproduced at
least three times.
• Record the final measurement, well number, and measuring date and time Water-
level below measuring point on to the Water-Level Data Sheet.
• Reel in the water-level meter tape and remove it from the well. Replace the well
cap and secure the locking protective well-head cover.
• Clean the down-hole equipment and store it appropriately for transport to the next
Well site.
• Note and record in the field notebook any physical changes (like erosion or
cracks) in the protective concrete pad or variation in the total depth of the well.
Move on to next well and repeat the procedure.

After end of days work, prepare your daily report and send it to following
before 700hrs next day;
1. Gyanesh.C.Bhatnagar@pdo.co.om ( in PDO system
UWB/62)
2. Saif.Yarubi@pdo.co.om ( in PDO system UWB/64)
Copy the same to contractor reporting line.
 PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTING SAMPLES

Groundwater samples are collected and analysed for variety of end uses. In general, groundwater samples are
collected while drilling WSW/WDW/WMW and/or during well development/pumping test. These samples are
basically analysed to evaluate water quality (inorganic constituents). However, some special studies such as
“Shallow Water Disposal Plume Study” where in Trace Elements, oil in water and organic pollutants (dissolved)
are required to be determined. Thus a simple guideline on sampling procedure designed for the purpose by PDO
is developed.

Careful planning and preparation of a groundwater sampling trip is very important and can save time and reduce
number of minor and major difficulties that commonly occur with fieldwork. The following steps should be
considered before commencing groundwater sampling schedule.

A checklist of the equipment to be used for sampling should be prepared in advance and inspected every day
before setting out for sampling. The objective of the trip will determine what equipment(s) need to be taken but
the list will be a useful reminder.

3. Obtain in advance the list of wells to be samples ( coordinates, well diameter, depth etc)
4. Prepare a round trip for sampling and fix order of sampling wells for the day.
5. Inform in advance the nearest interior Production Chemistry lab. for your requirements
(sample bottles, preservatives, filters etc) and sample submission schedule.
6. Make sure all your equipments and instruments are in correct working condition and
calibrated (if required).

A. PUMPED WATER SAMPLE COLLECTION

a. On reaching to site, open the well top cover. Measure static Water Level from
reference point (m below measuring point). Record it on the sheet along with
well details.
b. Choose appropriate size of groundwater sampling pump considering well
diameter, depth to water level, discharge of well and water column.
c. Lower sampling pump inside the well allowing adequate submergence allowing
for drawdown caused during pumping.
d. Ensure all proper connections of power, water delivery etc.
e. Set your on site water quality parameter measurement instruments
(Thermometer, pH meter, EC/TDS meter) and sample holding vessel. Sample
bottles etc.
f. Start Power source and pump. If collecting BTEX sample, take sample on first
appearance of water on surface. Then collect Oil in Water Sample.
g. Keep measuring pH, temperature and EC/TDS until stabilized, Keep record of
all readings.
h. After water becomes clear and parameters stabilized, collect water samples for
Trace Elements and Inorganic constituents.
i. Fill all recorded readings on data sheet.
j. Record all details (as required) on the bottle label with water proof pen and paste
it on sample bottle marking clearly on the bottle the type of analysis to be carried
out on that sample.
k. Store sample under cool conditions in a cool box.
l. Stop Pump, Remove pump, clean and decontaminate the pump and other
equipment with clean uncontaminated water.
m. Wind up all equipment and move to next site.

B. GRAB WATER SAMPLE:

B1. General
This type of water sample is collected from wells that are not already fitted with pumps. A sling and a sampler
(Bailer) is used for it. The type of bailer will depend on various other factors which will be explained at the
time of planning the sampling. Parameters such as Temperature, pH, electrical Conductivity to be measured
on the well head and recorded. Follow the same procedure as given in Ai to Am above.
B2. Grab Oil Sample

This type of sample will be collected from the oil layer floating on top of water surface (if found) or from the
water. The procedure will be same as Grab water sample. If top layer is pure oil collect additional sample of
Oil and then go below oil layer to collect samples following steps Af to Am as mentioned in A.

SAMPLE CONTAINERS AND PRESERVATIVES

Please note that for each sample you will need four bottles as follows:

Analyte Bottle type Preservative Holding time

Routine Water Analysis 1 Liter Plastic No preservative required ASAP
Oil-In-Water Analysis 1 Liter Glass 20 mls. Conc.H2SO4 28 Days
Heavy Metals Analysis 1 Liter Plastic 5 mls. Conc. HNO3 6 months
BTEX Analysis 10ml plastic/glass ampule Nil

The sample bottles should be stored at 40C in dark place in the lab and in the Ice Chest (with frozen Blue
ice jacket) in field.

Please ensure that you clearly label each bottle as follows:

Location:……………………. e.g. Jalmud WSW1

Sample type…………………. e.g. Grab water sample or Grab oil sample or Pumped water sample.
Date & Time sampled……….. e.g. June 10,2000 @ 0800 HRS.
Sampled by:………………….. e.g. John Smith, ABC/12
Analysis required:………… e.g. Routine water analysis (No preservatives added) or Trace Elements
analysis
(sample preserved with 5mls. conc. HNO3) or Oil in water analysis (sample preserved with 20mls. conc.
H2SO4) or BTEX analysis ( no preservative added)
pH - e.g. 8.2
Temperature e.g. 32.30C
EC/TDS e.g. 10,920 mg/l

Chain of Custody

Chain of Custody form has to be filled up and submitted to the concerned Lab while
submitting water sample. Soft copy should be sent to the concerned Lab and OSE56
next day morning.

Performa Attached (sample filled)

PDO Area
Project Manager: Gyanesh (OSE/56)