This guide describes a general approach for the use of existing wells in environmental investigations with a primary focus on the subsurface and major factors affecting the surface and subsurface environment.

Existing wells represent a valuable source of information for subsurface environmental investigations. Specific uses of existing wells include:

4.2.1 Well driller logs provide information on subsurface lithology and major water-bearing units in an area. Existing wells can also offer access for downhole geophysical logging for stratigraphic and aquifer interpretations. Examples include natural gamma logs in cased wells and an entire suite of methods in uncased bedrock wells (see Guide D 5753). This information can assist in developing the preliminary conceptual model of the site.

4.2.2 Well tests using existing wells may provide information on the hydrologic characteristics of an aquifer.

4.2.3 Monitoring of water levels in existing wells, provided that they are cased in the aquifer of interest, allow development of potentiometric maps and interpretations of ground-water flow directions.

4.2.4 Existing wells are the primary means by which regional drinking water quality is evaluated and monitored.

4.2.5 Existing wells may assist in the mapping of contaminant plumes, and in ongoing monitoring of ground-water quality changes at the site-specific level.

Data from existing wells should only be used when characteristics of the well have been sufficiently documented to determine that they satisfy criteria for the purpose for which the data are to be used.

1.1 This guide covers the use of existing wells for environmental site characterization and monitoring. It covers the following major topics: criteria for determining the suitability of existing wells for hydrogeologic characterization and ground-water quality monitoring, types of data required to document the suitability of an existing well, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of existing large- and small-capacity wells.

1.2 This guide should be used in conjunction with Guide D 5730, that provides a general approach for environmental site investigations.

1.3 This guide does not specifically address design and construction of new monitoring or supply wells. Refer to Practices D 5092 and D 5787.

1.4 This guide does not specifically address ground-water sampling procedures. Refer to Guide D 5903.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. However, dimensions of materials used in the water well industry are given in inch-pound (English) units by convention; therefore, inch-pound units are used where necessary in this guide.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This guide is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this guide be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.