ASTM D6000-96(2008)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Presentation of Water-Level Information from Groundwater Sites
Standard Guide for Presentation of Water-Level Information from Groundwater Sites
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Determining the potentiometric surface of an area is essential for the preliminary planning of any type of construction, land use, environmental investigations, or remediation projects that may influence an aquifer.
The potentiometric surface in the proposed impacted aquifer must be known to properly plan for the construction of a water withdrawal or recharge facility, for example, a well. The method of construction of structures, such as buildings, can be controlled by the depth of the groundwater near the project. Other projects built below land surface, such as mines and tunnels, are influenced by the hydraulic head.
Monitoring the trend of the groundwater table in an aquifer over a period of time, whether for days or decades, is essential for any permanently constructed facility that directly influences the aquifer, for example, a waste disposal site or a production well.
Long-term monitoring helps interpret the direction and rate of movement of water and other fluids from recharge wells and pits or waste disposal sites. Monitoring also assists in determining the effects of withdrawals on the stored quantity of water in the aquifer, the trend of the water table throughout the aquifer, and the amount of natural recharge to the aquifer.
This guide describes the basic tabular and graphic methods of presenting groundwater levels for a single groundwater site and several sites over the area of a project. These methods were developed by hydrologists to assist in the interpretation of hydraulic-head data.
The tabular methods help in the comparison of raw data and modified numbers.
The graphical methods visually display seasonal trends controlled by precipitation, trends related to artificial withdrawals from or recharge to the aquifer, interrelationship of withdrawal and recharge sites, rate and direction of water movement in the aquifer, and other events influencing the aquifer.
Presentation techniques resulting from extensive computational methods, spec...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers and summarizes methods for the presentation of water-level data from groundwater sites.
Note 1—As used in this guide, a site is meant to be a single point, not a geographic area or property, located by an X, Y, and Z coordinate position with respect to land surface or a fixed datum. A groundwater site is defined as any source, location, or sampling station capable of producing water or hydrologic data from a natural stratum from below the surface of the earth. A source or facility can include a well, spring or seep, and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal in orientation). Other sources, such as excavations, driven devices, bore holes, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, which can be shown to be hydraulically connected to the groundwater, are appropriate for the use intended.
1.2 The study of the water table in aquifers helps in the interpretation of the amount of water available for withdrawal, aquifer tests, movement of water through the aquifers, and the effects of natural and human-induced forces on the aquifers.
1.3 A single water level measured at a groundwater site gives the height of water at one vertical position in a well or borehole at a finite instant in time. This is information that can be used for preliminary planning in the construction of a well or other facilities, such as disposal pits.
Note 2—Hydraulic head measured within a short time from a series of sites at a common (single) horizontal location, for example, a specially constructed multi-level test well, indicate whether the vertical hydraulic gradient may be upward or downward within or between the aquifer (see 7.2.1).
Note 3—The phrases “short time period” and “finite instant in time” are used throughout this guide to describe the interval for measuring several project-related groundwater levels. Often the water levels of groundwater sites in an area of study do not change significantly in a short time, for example, a ...
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6000 − 96(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Presentation of Water-Level Information from Groundwater
Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6000; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.4 Wherehydraulicheadsaremeasuredinashortperiodof
time, for example, a day, from each of several horizontal
1.1 This guide covers and summarizes methods for the
locationswithinaspecifieddepthrange,orhydrogeologicunit,
presentation of water-level data from groundwater sites.
or identified aquifer, a potentiometric surface can be drawn for
NOTE 1—As used in this guide, a site is meant to be a single point, not
thatdepthrange,orunit,oraquifer.Waterlevelsfromdifferent
a geographic area or property, located by an X, Y, and Z coordinate
verticalsitesatasinglehorizontallocationmaybeaveragedto
position with respect to land surface or a fixed datum.Agroundwater site
a single value for the potentiometric surface when the vertical
is defined as any source, location, or sampling station capable of
gradients are small compared to the horizontal gradients.
producingwaterorhydrologicdatafromanaturalstratumfrombelowthe
surfaceoftheearth.Asourceorfacilitycanincludeawell,springorseep,
NOTE 4—The potentiometric surface assists in interpreting the gradient
and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal in orientation). Other sources, such
and horizontal direction of movement of water through the aquifer.
as excavations, driven devices, bore holes, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes,
Phenomena such as depressions or sinks caused by withdrawal of water
whichcanbeshowntobehydraulicallyconnectedtothegroundwater,are
from productionareasandmoundscausedbynaturalorartificialrecharge
appropriate for the use intended.
are illustrated by these potentiometric maps.
1.2 The study of the water table in aquifers helps in the
1.5 Essentially all water levels, whether in confined or
interpretation of the amount of water available for withdrawal,
unconfined aquifers, fluctuate over time in response to natural-
aquifer tests, movement of water through the aquifers, and the
and human-induced forces.
effects of natural and human-induced forces on the aquifers.
NOTE 5—The fluctuation of the water table at a groundwater site is
1.3 A single water level measured at a groundwater site
causedbyseveralphenomena.Anexampleisrechargetotheaquiferfrom
gives the height of water at one vertical position in a well or
precipitation. Changes in barometric pressure cause the water table to
borehole at a finite instant in time.This is information that can
fluctuate because of the variation of air pressure on the groundwater
surface, open bore hole, or confining sediment.Withdrawal of water from
be used for preliminary planning in the construction of a well
orartificialrechargetotheaquifershouldcausethewatertabletofluctuate
or other facilities, such as disposal pits.
inresponse.Eventssuchasrisingorfallinglevelsofsurfacewaterbodies
NOTE 2—Hydraulic head measured within a short time from a series of (nearby streams and lakes), evapotranspiration induced by phreatophytic
consumption, ocean tides, moon tides, earthquakes, and explosions cause
sites at a common (single) horizontal location, for example, a specially
constructed multi-level test well, indicate whether the vertical hydraulic fluctuation. Heavy physical objects that compress the surrounding
sediments, for example, a passing train or car or even the sudden load
gradient may be upward or downward within or between the aquifer (see
7.2.1). effectofthestartingofanearbypump,cancauseafluctuationofthewater
table (1).
NOTE 3—The phrases “short time period” and “finite instant in time”
are used throughout this guide to describe the interval for measuring
1.6 Thisguidecoversseveraltechniquesdevelopedtoassist
several project-related groundwater levels. Often the water levels of
in interpreting the water table within aquifers. Tables and
groundwatersitesinanareaofstudydonotchangesignificantlyinashort
graphs are included.
time, for example, a day or even a week. Unless continuous recorders are
usedtodocumentwaterlevelsateverygroundwatersiteoftheproject,the
1.7 Thisguideincludesmethodstorepresentthewatertable
measurement at each site, for example, use of a steel tape, will be at a
at a single groundwater site for a finite or short period of time,
slightly different time (unless a large staff is available for a coordinated
a single site over an extended period, multiple sites for a finite
measurement). The judgment of what is a critical time period must be
made by a project investigator who is familiar with the hydrology of the
or short period in time, and multiple sites over an extended
area.
period.
NOTE 6—This guide does not include methods of calculating or
estimating water levels by using mathematical models or determining the
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
aquifer characteristics from data collected during controlled aquifer tests.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
Vadose Zone Investigations.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D6000–96 (2002). The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
DOI: 10.1520/D6000-96R08. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6000 − 96 (2008)
These methods are discussed in Guides D4043, D5447, and D5490, Test
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium
Methods D4044, D4050, D4104, D4105, D4106, D4630, D4631, D5269,
Method
D5270, D5472, and D5473.
D4630Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
1.8 Many of the diagrams illustrated in this guide include
StorageCoefficientofLow-PermeabilityRocksbyInSitu
notations to help the reader in understanding how these
Measurements Using the Constant Head Injection Test
diagrams were constructed. These notations would not be
D4631Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
required on a diagram designed for inclusion in a project
Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by In Situ Mea-
document.
surements Using Pressure Pulse Technique
D4750Test Method for Determining Subsurface Liquid
NOTE 7—Use of trade names in this guide is for identification purposes
Levels in a Borehole or Monitoring Well (Observation
only and does not constitute endorsement by ASTM.
Well) (Withdrawn 2010)
1.9 This guide covers a series of options, but does not
D5092Practice for Design and Installation of Groundwater
specify a course of action. It should not be used as the sole
Monitoring Wells
criterionorbasisofcomparison,anddoesnotreplaceorrelieve
D5254Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to
professional judgment.
Identify a Ground-Water Site
1.10 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be re-
D5269TestMethodforDeterminingTransmissivityofNon-
garded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Recovery Method
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
D5270Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
information only and are not considered standard.
Storage Coefficient of Bounded, Nonleaky, Confined
Aquifers
1.11 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific D5408Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
Groundwater Site; Part One—Additional Identification
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional Descriptors
D5409Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre- Ground-Water Site; Part Two—Physical Descriptors
D5410Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this Ground-Water Site;Part Three—Usage Descriptors
D5447GuideforApplicationofaGroundwaterFlowModel
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this to a Site-Specific Problem
D5472Test Method for Determining Specific Capacity and
document means only that the document has been approved
through the ASTM consensus process. Estimating Transmissivity at the Control Well
D5473Test Method for (Analytical Procedure for) Analyz-
2. Referenced Documents
ing the Effects of Partial Penetration of Control Well and
Determining the Horizontal and Vertical Hydraulic Con-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ductivity in a Nonleaky Confined Aquifer
D653Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
D5474GuideforSelectionofDataElementsforGroundwa-
Fluids
ter Investigations
D4043Guide for Selection of Aquifer Test Method in
D5490Guide for Comparing Groundwater Flow Model
Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
Simulations to Site-Specific Information
D4044Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
D5609Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in Ground-
Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
water Flow Modeling
Properties of Aquifers
D4050Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal
3. Terminology
and Injection Well Testing for Determining Hydraulic
Properties of Aquifer Systems
3.1 All definitions appear in Terminology D653.
D4104Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determining
3.2 aquifer, n—a geologic formation, group of formations,
Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by Over-
or part of a formation that is saturated and is capable of
damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head
providing a significant quantity of water. D653, D5092
(Slug Tests)
3.3 aquitard, n—a confining bed that retards but does not
D4105Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
prevent the flow of water to or from an adjacent aquifer; a
mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
leaky confining bed. D653
leaky ConfinedAquifers by the Modified Theis Nonequi-
3.4 confined or artesian aquifer, n—an aquifer bounded
librium Method
D4106Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter- aboveandbelowbyconfiningbedsandinwhichthestatichead
is above the top of the aquifer. D4050, D4104, D4105, D4106,
mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
D5269, D5609
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
D6000 − 96 (2008)
3.5 hydrograph, n—for groundwater, a graph showing the 5.2.1 Long-term monitoring helps interpret the direction
water level or head with respect to time (2). and rate of movement of water and other fluids from recharge
wellsandpitsorwastedisposalsites.Monitoringalsoassistsin
3.6 unconfinedorwater-tableaquifer,n—anaquiferthathas
determiningtheeffectsofwithdrawalsonthestoredquantityof
a water table (3). D4050, D4105, D4106, D5609
waterintheaquifer,thetrendofthewatertablethroughoutthe
3.7 water level, n—for groundwater, the level of the water
aquifer, and the amount of natural recharge to the aquifer.
table surrounding a borehole or well. The groundwater level
5.3 This guide describes the basic tabular and graphic
can be represented as an elevation or as a depth below the
methods of presenting groundwater levels for a single ground-
ground surface. D4750
water site and several sites over the area of a project. These
3.8 water table (groundwater table), n—the surface of a
methods were developed by hydrologists to assist in the
groundwater body at which the water pressure equals atmo-
interpretation of hydraulic-head data.
sphericpressure.Earthmaterialbelowthegroundwatertableis
5.3.1 The tabular methods help in the comparison of raw
saturated with water. D653, D4750
data and modified numbers.
5.3.2 The graphical methods visually display seasonal
4. Summary of Guide
trends controlled by precipitation, trends related to artificial
4.1 The Significance and Use section presents the relevance withdrawals from or recharge to the aquifer, interrelationship
of the tables and diagrams of the water table and related
of withdrawal and recharge sites, rate and direction of water
parameters. movement in the aquifer, and other events influencing the
aquifer.
4.2 A description is given of the selection process for data
presentation along with a discussion on water level data 5.4 Presentation techniques resulting from extensive com-
preparation. putational methods, specifically the mathematical models and
the determination of aquifer characteristics, are contained in
4.3 Tabular methods of presenting water-levels:
the ASTM standards listed in Section 2.
4.3.1 Tables with single water levels, and
4.3.2 Tables with multiple water levels (4).
6. Selection and Preparation of Water-Level Data
4.4 Graphical methods for presenting water levels:
6.1 Water levels should be subject to rigorous quality-
4.4.1 Vertical gradient at a single site,
control standards. Correct procedures must be followed and
4.4.2 Hydrographs,
properly recorded in the field and the office in order for the
4.4.3 Temporal trends in hydraulic head, water table to represent that in the aquifer.
4.4.4 Potentiometric maps, 6.1.1 Field-quality controls include the use of an accurate
and calibrated measuring device, a clearly marked and un-
4.4.5 Change maps,
changing measuring point, an accurate determination of the
4.4.6 Water-table cross sections, and
altitude of the measuring point for relating this site to other
4.4.7 Statistical comparisons of water levels.
sites or facilities in the project area, notation of climatic
4.5 Sources for automated procedures (computer-aided
conditions at the time of measurement, a system of validating
graphics) for basic calculations and the construction of the
the water-level measurement, and a straightforward record
water-level tables and diagrams are identified.
keeping form or digital device.
4.6 Keywords.
6.1.2 Digitalrecordingdevicesmustbecheckedregularlyto
ensure that a malfunction has not occurred. A properly oper-
4.7 A list of references is given for additional information.
ating device that transfers the data directly to a digital
computershouldalleviateanyproblemswiththetransposingof
5. Significance and
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.