Discover and learn the most up-to-date information about aquifer pumping test techniques from some of the most recognized authorities in ground water.
Aquifer Pumping Tests are a key element to site characterization, water resources assessment and remediation system design. Even when you are confident of the geologic conditions, you may have difficulty designing effective aquifer tests, running field equipment or selecting the best available model to analyze the test data. Where do you turn for help with aquifer testing?
Midwest GeoSciences Group and In-Situ, Inc. can help! We have designed a powerful online-offline course about pumping test design, equipment, data analysis techniques.
This course teaches key steps for modernizing your aquifer testing from beginning to end.
Thoughtfully Designed Course Experience:
Beginning with pre-course study materials and a self-assessment, this course is not simply a webinar series.
Offline tutorial activities begin each consecutive module. Prepare yourself for the first online course module about pumping test design insights and then progressing with step drawdown tests for optimizing the constant rate pumping test. Learn the fundamentals of the Theis Solution before stepping further into aquifer testing analysis and interpretation techniques. The final online module teaches technical insights related to collecting continuous water levels, downloading the data, and then exporting it to analysis software.
On-Demand Course Modules at Your Own Pace.
The personalized experience allows each registrant to learn (1) at their own experience level, (2) at their own pace, and (3) and in a private setting except when they have questions or request extra tutorials.
Take your time and dive deep into this course experience.
Final Exam and CEU Certificate
The course concludes with a Final Exam. Options for an additional tutorial is available and each registrant receives an official CEU Certificate from Northern Illinois University showing 10.0 Contact Hours.
Register now for this unique online-offline course that presents key insights about aquifer pumping tests that are found nowhere else online.
"I really enjoyed the series of six pumping test courses that I took from Midwest Geosciences Group. It was exactly the course that I needed to return to water supply work. These are world-renowned instructors that teach aquifer testing, step tests, recovery analysis and data collection. There are many practical examples given to overcome some of the common problems that we all encounter in the field and advice about data analysis. The resources that they provide are also amazing, the slides from the lectures and associated papers to read. Thank you very much." - Jeff Meadows, Hydrogeologist, New Brunswick, Canada
"I am enjoying the (online aquifer testing) course, I like how complex concepts are explained in a simple manner. The materials are good and the classes are easy to follow, especially offline, because I can pause every time I miss something. Great job!" - Thomas Pallua, PG*, Dott. Geol.** Lead Associate Engineering Geologist
"The (aquifer testing) series is easy to use and (each) presentation was really clear. The opportunity to hear from and interact with leading experts in the field without having to travel to conferences is an extremely effective way to disseminate information as well as build a community. I strongly recommend these (online sessions) to anyone working in the geosciences, from academics to industry practitioners." - Andrew Ireson, Hydrogeologist
"Thanks Dan, this has been amazing learning experience and the last one I am working on is the one with Garth, I lived in the same city as Garth until moving to New Brunswick about a year ago, I am now near the Atlantic. A lot of New Brunswick gets water from groundwater sources, so it is pretty interesting. Working on a groundwater supply project at a small fishing village which is a tourist destination in the summer." - Jeff Meadows, M.Eng., P.Geo., Senior Hydrogeologist
"Midwest Geosciences consistently offers quality and cost-effective educational opportunities. The Aquifer Testing Series is very informative; a good mix of technical understanding and practical application. I would recommend a Midwest Geosciences course to any of my colleagues." - Michael Plante, PG, GISP Associate / Hydrogeologist
THIS COURSE INCLUDES: • Pre-Course Study Materials • Six On-Demand course modules • Offline Tutorial Activities • Proficiency Testing • Comprehensive Aquifer Testing Reference List • Final Exam • CE Certificate from Northern Illinois University (for 10.0 Contact Hours)
PUMPING TESTS FOR AQUIFER EVALUATION Online-Offline Course
PRE-COURSE PREPARATION:
Introduction Video: 5-minute video and Self-Test
BEGIN HERE: Watch the Video Introduction to the Course. Prepare for the video by having the list of questions in your possession, but do not answer any questions until you're prompted during the video.
You'll be asked to answer 10 questions to give yourself a general self-assessment of basic skills for aquifer testing. Answer the questions using your own words. Refrain looking up answers, just assess yourself. We each use different terminology so just use the terminology that you normally use. Keep your answers and watch the live course modules (or on-demand version) for the explanation and details for each answer.
Offline Personal Tutorials and Study Materials:
Schedule time for yourself to review the pre-course study materials. Learning the fundamentals of each consecutive element will help you learn deeper, apply the knowledge, and get clarification for those topics that are important to you. We are here to help you dive deep into the course and gain a mastery of the fundamentals.
Goal: Understand the course vision, familiarize yourself with the pre-course study materials, and learnat a minimum, the major milestones of aquifer pumping testing.
This webinar taught by Jim Butler, PhD, PG. sets the stage for practical design considerations forgetting more reliable results from aquifer testing data.
Even when professionals are confident of the geologic conditions, we may have difficulty designing
effective aquifer tests because of the spectrum of variables from targeting subsurface units for
monitoring, predicting an adequate test duration, recognizing pumping test boundary conditions,
running field equipment, or selecting the best available model to analyze the test data.
The Solution: The first essential step is to learn the proper terminology, identify the numerous myths
that surround pumping tests such as "pumping rate is proportional to the zone of influence", and move
forward with thoughtful deliberation that matches your aquifer testing task to the project objectives.
This webinar taught by Michael Kenrick, P.E. introduces the fundamentals of step drawdown testing. This specialized testing is essentially a single-well pumping test in which the drawdown is observed while the discharge rate is increased in a step-wise manner. Each step is typically of equal duration, dependent on expected factors of both the subsurface conditions and aquifer response. Each step should be of sufficient duration to allow dissipation of wellbore storage effects. Field analysis of step drawdown tests are discussed and evaluated in order to produce an optimum constant-rate test program and a comprehensive pumping test approach.
Although step drawdown tests are commonly used for optimizing the constant-rate testing program, step drawdown tests can be used to determine the aquifer transmissivity and the well loss component of the drawdown in the pumped well. The aquifer storage coefficient can also be estimated.
This webinar taught by Chris Neville starts with understanding the Theis Model: the foundation of pumping test interpretation. The underlying assumptions of the Theis model are reviewed.
The discussion is followed by the development and application of the analyses based upon it. Although the assumptions underlying the Theis model may be violated to varying degrees during actual tests, the model has enduring value as a benchmark against which the observed responses to pumping can be assessed, supporting the diagnosis of site conditions.
Emphasis will be placed on applying the Theis model appropriately to yields representative estimates of the bulk average transmissivity of a formation.
This webinar taught by Chris Neville teaches the fundamentals for selecting the most appropriate analysis strategy along with deciphering common solutions for pumping test data.
A key assumption underlying almost all solutions used to match drawdown data is that the aquifer ishomogeneous. However, a visit to any outcrop of soil or rock should be enough to convince any hydrogeologist that the subsurface is complex.
Real aquifers are heterogeneous. Realistic aquifer heterogeneity generally gives rise to responses at individual observation wells that are variable. Inferences of aquifer properties that are drawn from analyses of the responses at individual monitoring wells are frequently inconsistent. When different estimates of aquifer properties are obtained the only definitive finding is that the conceptual model underlying the analysis is violated. In these cases, none of the individual estimates of transmissivity may be reliable.
This course module presents a possible approach that makes it possible to look beyond the variations in the responses of individual wells to estimate the representative average transmissivity of heterogeneous aquifers. The interpretation of pumping tests in heterogeneous aquifers is illustrated with case studies.
This webinar taught by Garth van der Kamp reveals how the important elements of Recovery Testing.
Aquifer testing is not typically complete when the pump is turned off. Measuring recovery reveals insight about the hydraulic boundary conditions and other important aquifer attributes.
Today tests are considered completed only when the recovery data are collected and analyzed, taking full advantage of the additional information that can be obtained by considering the recovery phase as an integral part of a pumping test.
This webinar taught by Adam Hobson shows the key aspects of measuring water level and drawdown during aquifer pumping tests. The module begins with the fundamentals of water level measurements with a focus on the use of submersible pressure transducers and data loggers and moves into instrument selection, common measurement errors, data transfer, and best use practices.
TUTORIAL OPTION:
Not ready to stop? Do you want to dive deeper? You can continue sharpening your skills with additional offline tutorial materials. Challenge yourself with more exercises and self-assessments.
FINAL EXAM:
Final Exam: Online and offline test
The final exam is a series of course element challenges that include both basic aspects of aquifer testing plus some of the important details from each module.
Graduation:
Private commencement to receive a Continuing Education Certificate from
Northern Illinois University Outreach for 10.0 Professional Development Hours (1.0 CEU).
Aquifer Pumping Tests are a key element to site characterization, water resources assessment and remediation system design. Even when you are confident of the geologic conditions, you may have difficulty designing effective aquifer tests, running field equipment or selecting the best available model to analyze the test data. Where do you turn for help with aquifer testing?
BEGIN HERE: Watch the Video Introduction to the Course. Prepare for the video by having the list of questions in your possession, but do not answer any questions until you're prompted during the video.
This webinar taught by Jim Butler, PhD, PG. sets the stage for practical design considerations forgetting more reliable results from aquifer testing data.
This webinar taught by Michael Kenrick, P.E. introduces the fundamentals of step drawdown testing. This specialized testing is essentially a single-well pumping test in which the drawdown is observed while the discharge rate is increased in a step-wise manner. Each step is typically of equal duration, dependent on expected factors of both the subsurface conditions and aquifer response. Each step should be of sufficient duration to allow dissipation of wellbore storage effects. Field analysis of step drawdown tests are discussed and evaluated in order to produce an optimum constant-rate test program and a comprehensive pumping test approach.
This webinar taught by Chris Neville starts with understanding the Theis Model: the foundation of pumping test interpretation. The underlying assumptions of the Theis model are reviewed.
This webinar taught by Chris Neville teaches the fundamentals for selecting the most appropriate analysis strategy along with deciphering common solutions for pumping test data.
This webinar taught by Garth van der Kamp reveals how the important elements of Recovery Testing.
This webinar taught by Adam Hobson shows the key aspects of measuring water level and drawdown during aquifer pumping tests. The module begins with the fundamentals of water level measurements with a focus on the use of submersible pressure transducers and data loggers and moves into instrument selection, common measurement errors, data transfer, and best use practices.