Groundwater monitoring wells are principally used for observing groundwater levels and flow conditions., obtaining samples for determining groundwater quality, and for evaluating hydraulic properties of water-bearing strata.
The quality of water intercepted by a monitoring well can range from drinking water to highly polluted water. In contrast, production or “water wells” are usually designed to obtain water from productive zones containing good-quality water.
The screen or perforated section of a monitoring well usually extends only a short length to obtain water from, or to monitor conditions within, an individual water-bearing unit or zone. Water wells are often designed to obtain water from multiple water-bearing strata. Although there are usually differences between the design and function of monitoring wells and the water wells, water wells sometimes are used as monitoring wells, and vice versa.
Monitoring wells, along with other types of wells, can provide a pathway for the movement of poor-quality water, pollutants, and contaminants. Because monitoring wells are often purposely located in areas affected by pollutants and contaminants, they pose an especially significant threat to groundwater quality if they are not properly constructed, altered, maintained, and destroyed.