Piezometer installation and monitoring procedure: Revision 1

The Deaf Smith County (Texas) site has been selected by the US Department of Energy as one of three candidate sites for characterization to determine its suitability as a geologic repository for high-level nuclear waste. The installation and monitoring of piezometers has been identified as one of the tasks required during the development of an underground Exploratory Shaft Facility to satisfy specific information needs through a program of in situ testing, instrumentation and monitoring. The scope of piezometer installation and monitoring encompasses the installation of fluid pressure measuring equipment and the subsequent collection, presentation and interpretation of piezometric data from strata surrounding the Exploratory Shaft Facility (ESF) prior to, during and following construction of the ESF, and as part of geohydrologic testing within the ESF. This procedure describes the required instrumentation, equipment, and sequence of activities for piezometer installation in the ESF. The procedure also includes details on the data recording and presentation requirements, personnel responsibilities, test management and quality assurance. 16 refs., 12 figs., 2 tabs