Water stored below the surface forms the largest reservoir of available fresh water. The Environment Agency is responsible for ensuring the protection of these waters.

Groundwater monitoring may be required for several reasons:

• to assess whether groundwater is contaminated from the site or surrounds
• to determine the hydraulic gradient and therefore direction of groundwater flow
• to provide baseline data as part of an IPPC application and on-going data as required by a Site Protection Monitoring Programme (SPMP).

Dependent on the location of a site, groundwater may be tens of metres below the surface. Monitoring from a borehole will initially involve measuring that depth using a dip well meter. Prior to a water sample being taken, a borehole is required to be purged for which it is standard practice to remove at least 3-well volumes of groundwater. After this purge a representative sample can be collected together with pH and temperature.

On receipt of the analytical results from the Laboratory, a fully interpretative report is produced which includes identification of any contamination, and where necessary, an assessment of its potential risk to surrounding receptors.

RPS has a wealth of experience undertaking ground water monitoring projects.