Designed for the individual who performs aquifer pumping tests.
Here's what you'll get: Four course modules @ 90 min each: 6.0 Contact Hours Study Material, Tutorials, and Self-Testing One FIELD GUIDE FOR SOIL AND STRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS One FIELD GUIDE FOR ROCK CORING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS One FIELD GUIDE FOR SLUG TESTING CEU Certificate from Northern Illinois University CEU Certificate for NY PG and NY PE
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. have designed this online aquifer testing course that applies to all geographic areas ranging from urban to rural settings. Hydrogeologic scenarios range widely and this unique online course applies aquifer testing to both sedimentary sequences and bedrock formations.
This course begins with how aquifer pumping tests are designed around Conceptual Site Models. The role of geology is often made secondary when in fact, it's the geology for determining pumping well placement, observation well placement, and understanding the drawdown relationships.
Then take the next step into aquifer pumping tests with Chris Neville who will introduce strategies for estimating well capacity of a production well. Simplified methods of estimating the specific capacity will be reviewed, followed by a more complete examination of the factors that control the drawdown in a well. Building on those basics, Adam Hobson will teach how equipment design, transducer placement, and data management impacts aquifer testing results.
Lastly, Jim Butler will teach different strategies to solve problems in challenging subsurface conditions. Sometimes these challenges emerge because of the conceptually simple nature of slug testing or lack of meaningful training. Many challenges can be easily overcome by simply learning the key steps that make slug testing more reliable - and easier to do with confidence.
PRE-COURSE PREPARATION:
Give yourself a general, 3-part self-assessment of basic concepts of Course Module 1. Refrain looking up answers, just assess yourself. Submit your test at completion. We do not share individual results.
Watch the course module for the explanation and details for answers. If you want to discuss the answers following any course module, contact Dan Kelleher at dan@midwestgeo.com to schedule a time together.
Then you'll be on your way, at your own pace.
A basic understanding of aquifer pumping tests will be helpful for this course. We want you to learn and succeed in your work. You can make the most of this course by being prepared for each course module before you watch it. Preparing for course modules enables a deeper enrichment of the session experience.
Aquifer Pumping Test Self-Assessments
Two self-assessments are included in this course. The first assessment is available before the course begins and serves as a prelude for Course Module 1. The second assessment is available before Course Module 4 which addresses the basics of slug testing.
Professional Papers, Book Introduction, and Pumping Test References
Chris Neville, Ken Bradbury, Adam Hobson, Jim Butler, and Dan Kelleher have assembled a collection of resources for this course, including Study Notes, Tutorials, Professional Papers, and Proficiency Exams. These materials range from basic to advanced concepts.
Record of Attendance and Continuing Education Units
A free Record of Attendance Form is included with each course module. Complete a form for each module for your own use. Witness signatures are not required for most PG and PE licensure renewals related to continuing education (there are some professional license programs that do require it).
A Final Exam is administered on an individual basis, following completion of all four course modules and the tutorials. The course is approved for 6.0 Contact Hours (0.6 CEU) by Northern Illinois University.
Special CEU Requirements for New York Professional Geologists and Professional Engineers
This course qualifies for continuing education units for the new requirements for New Y New York Professional Geologists and Professional Engineers. Midwest GeoSciences Group is approved CE provider #213. If live attendance is missed, MidwestGeo has an NY SED-approved online platform where an NY PG or NY PE may participate in the on-demand version of a course module to earn the CEU certificate.
Automated participation monitoring and confirmation of your PG or PE licensure is required.
Accessing the Live Online Course Modules
Emails with access instructions are sent to participants within a week of each course modules. Emails include links to the Adobe Connect platform. Links are also include to the associated files for each session.
Make sure to allow emails from support@midwestgeo.com to your email system.
Miss a Live Event? You Can Access It as an On-Demand Course Module
Like all MidwestGeo webinars, if you miss a live event, you'll receive an email about 24 hours after the live event stating your attendance was recorded as missed. The email will contain instructions for access the on-demand version of it. Standard terms and conditions apply.
Make sure to allow emails from support@midwestgeo.com to your email system.
Register Now for this unique online-offline course that presents key insights about aquifer pumping tests that are found no where else online.
THIS COURSE INCLUDES: • Pre-Course Prerequisite Materials • Self-Assessment • Four LIVE (or On-Demand) course modules • Offline Tutorial Activities • One FIELD GUIDE FOR SOIL AND STRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS By Midwest GeoSciences Group • One FIELD GUIDE FOR ROCK CORING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS By Midwest GeoSciences Group • One FIELD GUIDE FOR SLUG TESTING By Midwest GeoSciences Group • Final Exam • CE Certificate from Northern Illinois University (for 6.0 Contact Hours) • CEU Certificate for NY PG and NY PE (for 6.0 Contact Hours)
Sometimes we inherit project sites where little is actually known about the subsurface. If we move forward with designing an aquifer pumping test using existing site wells, it's likely there's going to be some uncertainty related to drawdown in observation wells.
Sometimes have the opportunity to drill and install our own wells. Knowing where to place well screens and having certainty about lateral hydraulic connectivity is dependent on our understanding of geologic controls.
The geologic controls between sedimentary sequences and bedrock generally behave in completely different ways. For sedimentary sequences, well screen placement is a function of geologic relationships from depositional processes. For bedrock, well screen placement, and measured hydraulic heads, are often dependent on the presence of fractures and the characteristics of fracture flow systems.
The presence of aquitards, high vertical or horizontal hydraulic gradients, and spatial variability in hydraulic conductivity and porosity often confounds the interpretation of pumping tests in these materials. Likewise, practitioners sometimes fail to recognize the effects of nearby boundary conditions and transient changes on pumping test results.
It's a misconception if we are hoping the pumping test will define the geology.
Instead, a pumping test should be considered to be a hypothesis test of the geologic model and hydraulic properties believed to exist in the subsurface.
Aquifer heterogeneity can wreak havoc too and especially during analysis when it's discovered that wells are screened in different units or mis-identified isolated lenses.
This course module teaches the basic steps to apply geologic controls to aquifer testing design. It includes an optional quiz following the course module.
FIELD GUIDE FOR SOIL AND STRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS plus a FIELD GUIDE FOR ROCK CORING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS by Midwest GeoSciences Group is included (free) with each paid registration of this session as either a single course module or the entire aquifer testing course.
Study Notes and Professional Papers: Instructors Ken Bradbury and Dan Kelleher have provided some study notes and key professional papers to use as reference material. These papers contain the answer to questions we have during strategies for deciphering subsurface relationships and applying our geologic models to aquifer testing design.
Quiz: An optional online quiz will follow Course Module One.
Adam Hobson teaches key aspects of measuring water level and drawdown during aquifer pumping tests and slug test. The second course 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.
Get the latest in equipment variations and how different equipment applies to specific site conditions and project objectives rather than the "nearly standard one-size fits every site" approach.
Quiz: An optional online quiz will follow Course Module Two.
Chris Neville teaches the most basic, but also one of the most important, assignments of a hydrogeologist: the estimation of the long-term capacity of a production well.
Assessing the capacity of a well is not something a hydrogeologist wants to get wrong, but there are plenty of opportunities to do so. The presentation will begin with the distinction between the capacity and the sustainable yield of a production well. The discussion will then move on to a consideration of the capacity of a well. Simplified methods of estimating the specific capacity will be reviewed, followed by a more complete examination of the factors that control the drawdown in a well. The role and interpretation of step tests will be highlighted. The module will conclude with the analyses for a case study, which illustrates the challenges in extrapolating from short-term tests to predictions of long-term well performance.
Study Notes, Professional Papers, and References: Instructor Chris Neville, PhD has provided study notes, some key professional papers to use as reference material. These papers often contain the answers to questions we have during slug test design, field performance, or analysis of the data.
Quiz: An optional online quiz will follow Course Module Three.
Despite the popularity and frequency of slug testing, difficulties still exist with design and analysis. Questions about parameters, field screening, data collection, and analysis strategies continue to challenge professionals.
Sometimes these challenges emerge because of the conceptually simple nature of slug testing or lack of meaningful training. Many challenges can be easily overcome by simply learning the key steps that make slug testing more reliable - and easier to do with confidence.
FIELD GUIDE FOR SLUG TESTING AND DATA ANALYSIS by Midwest GeoSciences Group is included (free) with each paid registration of this session as either a single course module or the entire aquifer testing course.
Self-Assessment: An optional online self-assessment will prelude Course Module Four.
Professional Papers, Book Introduction, and Slug Testing References: Instructor Jim Butler, PhD has provided some key professional papers to use as comprehensive references. These papers often contain the answers to questions we have during slug test design, field performance, or analysis of the data.
Plus the Introduction Chapter from Jim Butler's book, The Design, Performance, and Analysis, 2nd Edition is included in this course. A comprehensive list of slug testing references is included at the end of the book file and nearly every reference can be found at your local library. To maximize your learning experience, read this book Introduction before you watch the course module.
Quiz: An optional online quiz will follow Course Module Four.
OFFLINE EXTRA 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:
The online final exam is an online series of course element challenges that include both basic aspects of aquifer testing plus some of the important details from each module.
20 Multiple Choice Questions
5 Written-Answer Questions
1 Extra Credit Question
Graduation:
Private commencement to receive a Continuing Education Certificate from Northern Illinois University Outreach for 6.0 Professional Development Hours (0.6 CEU).
Sometimes we inherit project sites where little is actually known about the subsurface. If we move forward with designing an aquifer pumping test using existing site wells, it's likely there's going to be some uncertainty related to drawdown in observation wells.
Adam Hobson teaches key aspects of measuring water level and drawdown during aquifer pumping tests and slug test. The second course 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.
Chris Neville teaches the most basic, but also one of the most important, assignments of a hydrogeologist: the estimation of the long-term capacity of a production well.
Despite the popularity and frequency of slug testing, difficulties still exist with design and analysis. Questions about parameters, field screening, data collection, and analysis strategies continue to challenge professionals.
Final Exam: