Groundwater monitoring measures the depth and variation of groundwater beneath a site over a defined period.
A groundwater level recorded during a single site visit only represents conditions at that particular time. Levels can change following rainfall and across different seasons. Monitoring over an appropriate period provides a more representative understanding of how groundwater behaves across the site.
This information can help project teams identify constraints early and make informed decisions about drainage, construction and development design.
Why is Winter Groundwater Monitoring Important?
Groundwater levels are often higher during the wetter months, when rainfall and reduced evaporation increase groundwater recharge.
Winter groundwater monitoring helps establish the seasonal groundwater conditions that may need to be considered when designing drainage systems and other below-ground elements of a development.
The results can be used to:
- Inform surface water drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) design
- Assess whether infiltration drainage may be feasible
- Support soakaway and BRE 365 infiltration testing
- Identify potential groundwater constraints
- Inform basement and below-ground structure design
- Support planning applications and the discharge of planning conditions
- Provide evidence for discussions with Local Planning Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities
- Reduce the risk of drainage redesign later in the project
Without sufficient monitoring, designs may be based on groundwater information that does not reflect wetter seasonal conditions.
When Should Winter Groundwater Monitoring Begin?
Groundwater monitoring requirements vary depending on the location, proposed development, site conditions and the requirements of the relevant authority.
Some monitoring programmes may need to cover several months during the wetter part of the year. It is therefore important to confirm the requirements and begin planning early. Starting too late could mean missing part of the required monitoring period, potentially delaying a planning application or drainage design.
Our consultants can review the available site information and help establish an appropriate monitoring programme for the development.
How Is Groundwater Monitoring Undertaken?
The scope of the monitoring programme is tailored to the site and project requirements. It will generally include the following stages:
Review of Site Information
Our consultants review the proposed development, available geological and hydrogeological information, previous investigation findings and any planning or drainage requirements.
Installation of Monitoring Points
Groundwater monitoring standpipes can be installed within boreholes across the site. Earth Environmental & Geotechnical has in-house drilling capabilities, allowing the investigation and installation works to be coordinated as part of one programme.
The number, position and depth of the monitoring points will depend on the site conditions and the purpose of the investigation.
Monitoring Visits
Groundwater levels are measured using suitable calibrated equipment. The frequency and duration of the visits will depend on the monitoring requirements agreed for the project.
Repeated measurements help demonstrate how groundwater levels vary over time and in response to seasonal conditions. Where groundwater conditions are highly variable, we can also install continuous datalogging equipment for real-time changes in groundwater levels.
Data and Reporting
The results are compiled and reviewed by our experienced consultants. The groundwater data can be presented alongside relevant site information and used to support drainage, planning, hydrogeological and development assessments.
Groundwater Monitoring and BRE 365 Infiltration Testing
Groundwater monitoring and infiltration testing are often considered together when assessing drainage options for a development.
BRE 365 infiltration testing assesses how quickly water can infiltrate into the ground. Groundwater monitoring provides information about groundwater levels and whether they could constrain the position or suitability of an infiltration system.
A site may have suitable infiltration rates, but a high groundwater level could still affect the design or location of a proposed soakaway. Considering both sets of information provides a more complete understanding of the site and helps the drainage designer select an appropriate solution.
Earth Environmental & Geotechnical can undertake groundwater monitoring, trial pitting and BRE 365 infiltration testing as part of a coordinated site investigation.
Groundwater Monitoring for Highways and Infrastructure
Understanding groundwater conditions is essential for compliant and sustainable infrastructure design. In line with National Highways LA 113 – Road Drainage and the Water Environment, groundwater monitoring provides the baseline information needed to assess environmental risks, inform drainage design and demonstrate that proposed works will not adversely affect the water environment.
We deliver tailored monitoring programmes using modern telemetry and data logging systems, with monitoring durations based on site-specific hydrogeological conditions -typically ranging from several months to a full seasonal cycle, to provide robust, defensible data for planning, design and regulatory approval.
What Can Groundwater Monitoring Support?
Groundwater monitoring may be required or recommended for:
- Residential developments
- Commercial and industrial developments
- Surface water drainage strategies
- Sustainable Drainage Systems
- Soakaway design
- Basement Impact Assessments
- Ground investigations
- Hydrogeological assessments
- Flood risk assessments
- Planning applications and planning conditions
- Contaminated land assessments
- Remediation projects
The scope should always reflect the proposed development, ground conditions and requirements of the relevant planning or regulatory authority.
Why Choose Earth Environmental & Geotechnical?
Our multidisciplinary team includes environmental consultants, geologists, engineers, drilling specialists and field technicians with experience across a wide range of development sites.
We provide:
- Groundwater monitoring services across the UK
- In-house drilling capabilities
- Installation of groundwater monitoring points
- Monitoring programmes tailored to individual sites
- Ground investigation and infiltration testing
- Clear, site-specific data and reporting
- Support from initial investigation through to planning and design
By coordinating the investigation, monitoring and interpretation, we provide project teams with the information needed to progress their development with a clearer understanding of groundwater conditions.
