Solinst 401 User manual

Waterloo Multilevel
Groundwater Monitoring System
Assembly Manual
April 2, 2018

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
Table of Contents
Waterloo Multilevel System Pre-installation Requirements 1
1.0 Introduction 2
2.0 Installation Components 3
3.0 Preparation 4
4.0 Assembling the System 5
5.0 Joint Connections 8
6.0 Port Connections 10
6.1 Attaching Open Tubes 10
6.2 Attaching Vibrating Wire Transducers (VWT) 11
6.3 Attaching a Pump (Bladder or Double Valve) 14
7.0 Testing Monitoring Equipment 16
8.0 Packer Activation 17
9.0 Wellhead Manifold Completion 18
9.1 Standard Option 18
9.2 Multipurge Option 19
9.3 Wellhead Protection 20
10.0 Monitoring Options 21
Appendix
- Waterloo System Installation Field Log I
- Vibrating Wire Transducer Calibration Report II
- Sample Vibrating Wire Calculation III
- Training Terms and Conditions IV

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
Page 1
Waterloo Multilevel System Pre-installation Requirements
Please complete this form to verify that proper consideration has been given to design and borehole specifications for
each Waterloo Multilevel System to be installed.
1/ Minimum information required for effective design of the Waterloo Multilevel System:
Accurate borehole depth ________________ Borehole angle _____________________
Depth to which Waterloo System is to be installed _______________________
Borehole geology __________________ Drilling method ______________________
Casing size (minimum ID) _________________ Depth to base of well casing ______________________
*Borehole diameter (max and min) ________________________
Approximate depth to static water level _____________________
Expected pressure heads at each monitoring zone _____________________
Number of monitoring zones ________________________
Desired port and packer locations/depths _______________________
Site conditions (e.g. dry field, bush, swamp, paved, etc.) ___________________________________________
Any special surface requirements for completion __________________________________________________
of installation (e.g. flush mounted, angled, etc)
Monitoring equipment required ________________________________________________________________
(double valve pumps, bladder pumps, vibrating wire transducers, water level meters for open tubes, etc.)
*Note: Boreholes must be stable, circular, smooth and straight for best packer seal.
Using the layout of monitoring equipment at the proposed depth, Solinst can assist the client in
determining the appropriate number of components to achieve your proposed monitoring scenario for
the Waterloo Multilevel System. Final design and installation details remain the responsibility of the
purchaser. Call for details about installation training.
2/ Ensure that these additional items are available on site during installation:
• Suitable and safe working area
• Clean water (~20 US gal (75 L)/100 ft. (30 m) installation)
• Compressed air or nitrogen to test pumps if installed
• Proper regulator for compressed air or nitrogen cylinder
• Pump Controller for testing pumps
• Readout unit to read Vibrating Wire Transducers
• Water Level Meter to check levels during installation
• Device to check total depth of borehole
• At least two client representatives for the installation
• Support device to assist in lowering Systems where depth to water is deeper than 100 ft. (30 m)

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
1.0 Introduction
The Waterloo Multilevel Monitoring System is comprised of modular units
designed to allow discrete monitoring from several zones within a single
borehole. A variety of portable and dedicated instrumentation allows users to
retrieve samples, determine piezometric head, temperatures, and conduct basic
hydraulic conductivity tests at each zone.
The System uses modular components of various casing lengths, which form
a sealed casing string. Sampling Ports are usually isolated using Packers, or
alternating layers of sand and seal for direct burial option. All instrument tubing
and cabling is contained within these modules and collected at the top of the
system into an efficient and simple Wellhead Manifold.
This manual describes the above-ground assembly of the Waterloo System,
including: preparation, joint connections, port connections, testing monitoring
equipment, packer activation, and manifold completion.
For best results, please review this entire manual before proceeding with your
installations.

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
2.0 Installation Components
Individual components of the Waterloo Multilevel System include: PVC Casing,
stainless steel Base Plug or PVC Base Plug, stainless steel Ports (single and dual
stem), Permanent Packers, and Wellhead Manifolds. Components are shown in
Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1 Installation Components

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3.0 Preparation
The number and specific order in which each component of the System are to
be assembled must be determined ahead of time. The depths of the desired
monitoring zones and layers of backfill (where applicable) must be determined in
advance of the installation. The design log will serve as a reference during the
install. Ensure that an ‘as built’ installation log is maintained. See Appendix I for
an example of a “Waterloo System Installation Log”.
Before the install date, reconfirm that the borehole is still open to its target
depth. Once the Waterloo System is received, make sure that the shipment
looks complete and that nothing appears damaged. Contact Solinst immediately
to resolve any issues before proceeding with the install.
If a Solinst Trainer is requested, the training will be completed in its entirety,
prior to starting the installation. See Appendix IV for the Terms and Conditions
of training.
The System weighs about 1 lbs/ft., which doesn’t include the weight of the
Packers. Therefore, at least two physically strong field assistants will be needed
to lower the System by hand. If the depth to water is more than 100 ft. (30 m)
below ground surface, then a hoisting winch (drilling rig) will be needed to assist
with holding and lowering the System via an optional support cable.
Tools and equipment you should bring for the installation:
• Appropriate safety precautions and equipment to ensure a safe
working environment at your site
• Water Level Meter/Well Depth Indicator
• Lights and/or security if the installation goes beyond daylight hours or
more than 1 day is needed to complete the installation
• Plastic sheeting to keep the Waterloo casing, tubing, etc. clean when
being laid out on the ground during installation
• Pylons or traffic cones for safety and to identify the lay down area or
work zone
• Hand-spray water bottle used to lubricate pipe joints
• Two 5 gal pails
• One roll of black electrical tape to temporarily identify the ports and
associated pump tube discharge ends
• 11/16" (18 mm) and 5/8" (16 mm) wrenches
• Hacksaw - to achieve desired System stick-up
• Large dowel or spindle
• Small piece of sand paper to assist in pushing tubing over the pump
stems
NOTE
In designing the layout, it is
preferable to allow one to two feet
of clearance above the bottom
of the borehole. Problems of
measurement inaccuracy, sloughing
during installation, and other
unforeseen events which may
prevent well completion are thus
minimized.
NOTE
If the depth to water is greater than
100 ft. (30 m) below ground surface,
lower the system with the support
cable and drilling rig.
NOTE
Be sure to document the position
and placement of each downhole
component, during the installation.
An ‘as built’installation log is a
crucial part of knowing where each
monitoring zone is placed.

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4.0 Assembling the System
One person should be assigned as ‘Team Leader’ for the installation. This Team
Leader is key in directing and ensuring that the components of the System are
installed in the correct sequence. The Team Leader will keep an ‘as built’ record
of the Multilevel System.
Arrange and group all of the equipment for each separate System near the
borehole. Inventory and record each piece, as is proposed for the System on the
Waterloo System Installation Field Log (see Appendix I for example).
Unpack the (optional) vibrating wire transducers (VWT) and soak them in water.
Preferably submerse them in the borehole or in a bucket of water close in
temperature to borehole groundwater. These need to stabilize prior to obtaining
their individual ‘zero value’ (head/pressure) reading (see Section 6.2).
On the most suitable ground surface, measure off and mark a line out from the
borehole 10% longer then the depth to the deepest Port. By example, if the
deepest Port is at 100 ft. (30 m), measure off and make a reference mark at 110
ft. (~33 m). This is your initial reference for cutting tubing. If required, unroll a
~3 ft. (1 m) wide length of thin mil plastic (Visqueen) polysheeting to this mark.
If used, uncoil and lay out the support cable. The outstretched cable will likely be
about 5 ft. (1.5 m) beyond the length of your plastic and reference mark.
Figure 4-1 Plastic & SS Support Cable Laid Out
(Wood core boxes are used here to weigh down plastic)
To begin, attach the stainless steel Base Plug to the end of the support cable
nearest the borehole. Following the sequence as set in your Installation Log, each
component is walked to the far end of the plastic and threaded over the support
cable, female joint end first, and walked back to the borehole for connection to
the previous component. Section 5.0 discusses how to connect each joint.
NOTE
A System about 100 ft. (30 m) below
water will most likely require water
added to the casing string during
installation in order to counter
System buoyancy (see Section 8.0).
When packers are used, the water
inside the casing string should not
exceed the static water level of the
borehole during installation.
NOTE
If not using a support cable,
begin with the Base Plug near
the borehole, and simply follow
the design log to attach the
components in sequence.
NOTE
See Section 5.0 for joint connection
instructions and Section 6.0 for
connecting tubing and/or cabling
to each Port.

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Figure 4-2 An Installation Clamp Over a Borehole
Figure 4-3 A Base Plug, Casing, Port, and Packer Section
Figure 4-4 Initial Section Being Installed Down-hole
Adjustment
Knob
Lock

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Figure 4-5 Casing Section Being Threaded Over Monitoring Tubing
When adding each Port to the sequence you will connect the monitoring tubing
and/or transducer or pump to be used at that Port. Each successive component
will be threaded over the support cable, as well as the monitoring tubing and
cabling as it is added. Section 6.0 discusses Port connections.
Once at least 5 ft. (1.5 m) of the System has been assembled, start lowering
the System into the borehole. Adjust and lock the installation clamp onto this
assembly to hold it in place. The System is now hanging in the borehole and
supported by the installation clamp.
Continue to install the System in the sequence shown in your Log, making
each connection as described in the following section. Be sure to record the
components as they are assembled over the borehole on the Installation Log
(see Appendix I).
NOTE
To use the installation clamp, slide
the unlocking bar to the unlocked
position and open the clamp by
lifting the handle. Adjust the width
of the jaws via the adjustment knob
so the casing is held tightly when
the clamp is closed. Return the
locking bar to the locked position.

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5.0 Joint Connections
Connecting Casing, Packers, & Ports
Tools and accessories required: needle nose pliers, Oetiker pliers, hand spray
water bottle, shear ties.
All joints are pushed / twisted together over the borehole while components are
held in-place by the installation clamp or support cable. The male joint end of
the component faces up and the female joint end faces downhole.
Spray the inside of the female and male ends of the components to be attached.
The water spray serves to lightly lubricate the joint to make for an easier
connection, as well as to reduce the risk of tearing the o-ring. When you are
making this connection, be sure not to kink or pinch the monitoring tubes inside
the Multilevel System.
Once the joint is coupled, push the shear tie through the shear window and
around until it exits out the same window. To help with this, needle nose pliers
can be used to grab the tail of the shear tie. Lock and pull the shear tie tight.
Use the Oetiker pliers to snip off the excess ‘tail’.
Figure 5-2 Tools and Accessories Required
Figure 5-1 Packer and Casing Joint with Shear Tie
NOTE
Before threading component
sections over the cables/tubing,
feel inside the female joint end to
ensure an o-ring is present.
NOTE
DO NOT place the installation clamp
on the Packers. Simply connect the
next length of casing above the
Packer. This next casing will be the
hold point for the assembly.

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Figure 5-3 Coupled Joint
Figure 5-4 Push Shear Tie Through the Window
Figure 5-5 Pull Shear Tie Tight
Figure 5-6 Cut Off the Excess Shear Tie

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6.0 Port Connections
6.1 Attaching Open Tubes
Tools and accessories required: Oetiker pliers, tubing cutter, black electrical
tape, rod/broom handle, sand paper.
Figure 6-1 Tools and Accessories Required
Beginning with the deepest Port (Port 1), stand at the borehole holding the spool
of tubing (1/2"OD x 3/8"ID or 5/8"OD x 1/2"ID). A broom handle or equivalent
pole works well to hold the spool. A second person will ‘walk’ the end of the
tubing to the measured reference mark (Section 4.0). Once the tubing end is
pulled to this reference mark, label the tube about 1 ft. (30 cm) from the tubing
end. Black electrical tape works well. Use the black tape to wrap the number of
bands corresponding to the Port number around the tubing end (i.e. 1 band of
black tape represents Port 1). Cut the tubing at the spool.
Figure 6-2 Tubing Being Pulled to Reference Mark
At the next Port, roll off the tubing to the end of the previous cut tubing length,
and cut at this new reference mark. Use this reference for the remaining Ports,
so as more Ports are added the tubing and cable ends will meet at the same
point. Remember to label each length of tubing as you progress.
NOTE
1/2”OD x 3/8”ID or 5/8”OD x 1/2”ID
tubing can be used. The 1/2”OD
tubing is clamped directly onto
the Port Stem with an Oetiker #14
clamp, while the 5/8”OD tubing fits
over a 3”length of 1/2”OD tubing
before being clamped to the Port
Stem with an Oetiker #17 clamp.
NOTE
Remember to label each tubing/
cable end.

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Page 11
Figure 6-5 Tools and Accessories Required
Be sure there is a clean cut to the tubing end at the Port. Place one single ear
Oetiker #14 clamp over the tubing and push the tubing end onto the stainless
steel Port Stem. Using the Oetiker pliers, squeeze the clamp ‘shoulders’ together
to securely attach the tubing to the stem.
Figure 6-4 1/2"OD x 3/8"ID tubing attached to Port Stem Using Oetiker #14 Clamp
Note: if using 5/8"OD tubing, a 3" length of 1/2"OD tubing has to be first pushed
onto the Port Stem. Then the 5/8"OD tubing is pushed over the 1/2"OD tubing
and clamped to the Port Stem with an Oetiker #17 clamp (see Figure 6-3).
6.2 Attaching Vibrating Wire Transducers (VWT)
Tools and accessories required: 11/16" (18 mm) and 5/8" (16 mm)
wrenches.
Figure 6-3
5/8"OD x 1/2"ID tubing attached over
3" of 1/2"OD x 3/8"ID tubing to Port
Stem Using Oetiker #17 Clamp

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Each one of the VWT’s cables has been cut to the length requested in the original
order. This length also includes an additional 10% contingency. The total cable
length is labeled on the cable’s end.
Match the serial number on the VWT body with the labeled cable end, and its
corresponding “Vibrating Wire Transducer Calibration Report” provided in the
shipment (see Appendix II).
Soak all of the VWTs for about 30 minutes, in either the borehole, or in a bucket
of water at the same temperature as the borehole water. Once the VWT has
stabilized, lift the VWT just out of the water and record the measured transducer
temperature and vibration reading. Record this value on the Installation Log as
the VWT’s ‘zero value’.
Compare this ‘zero value’ to the ‘Factory Zero Reading’ on the Calibration
Report. These values should not differ by more than 0.1% of full scale. Remember
that pressure varies with elevation (your site vs. factory calibration location),
temperature, and barometric pressure.
The ‘zero value’ is used to subtract from all future pressure/head readings to
calculate final depth to water measurements. See Appendix III for a sample
depth to water calculation.
Uncoil the VWT’s cable out to its full length. Push the 3/8" SS compression
fitting with attached VWT onto the Port Stem. Using the 11/16" and 5/8"
wrenches, tighten the two compression fitting nuts onto the Port Stem by 1 and
1/4 turns.
Figure 6-6 Presoaking the Vibrating Wire Transducers
Figure 6-7 Vibrating Wire Transducer
NOTE
Match the serial number on the
body of the VWT with the label at
the end of the cable.
NOTE
Record the VWT ‘zero value’ on
the Installation Log. It is needed
to benchmark against all future
readings.

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
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Figure 6-8
Figure 6-9

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
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6.3 Attaching a Pump (Bladder or Double Valve)
Tools and accessories required: tubing cutter, Oetiker pliers, Oetiker clamps,
sand paper, 4" (10 cm) of 1/2"OD x 3/8"ID tubing, black electrical tape,
rod/broom handle.
Figure 6-11 Tools and Accessories Required
There are two stems on each pump. The shorter stem is the sample stem, which
the sample line (white/natural) will be connected to. The longer stem is the drive
gas stem, which the drive line will be connected to. Depending on whether you
use LDPE or PTFE-lined, the drive line may be red colored or white/natural,
respectively.
Figure 6-11 5/8"x6" Double Valve Pump
Beginning with the deepest Port (Port 1), stand at the borehole holding the spool
of tubing. A broom handle or equivalent pole works well to hold the spool.
Identify/label the end of this tubing by wrapping a 1" (25 mm) piece of black
electrical tape around the tubing to form a ‘black band’. Let each band represent
the Port number. Here, one band of the tape on the tubing end will represent
that this tubing will be connected to Port 1. If using PTFE tubing, use a different
colour tape to represent the drive line tubing.
A second person will ‘walk’ the end of the labelled tubing to the measured
reference mark. Once the tubing end is pulled to this reference mark. Cut the
tubing at the spool.
At the next Port, roll off the tubing to the end of the previous cut tubing length,
and cut at this reference mark. Use this reference for the remaining Ports, so
as more Ports are added, the tubing and cable ends will meet at the same point.
Remember to label each length of tubing as you progress.
Figure 6-10 Tools and Accessories Required
NOTE
Use the black tape to wrap the
number of bands corresponding
to the Port number around the
tubing end (i.e. 1 band of black tape
represents Port 1).

Waterloo Multilevel System Assembly Manual
Page 15
Make a clean fresh cut to both tubing ends at the borehole. Place one small
double ear Oetiker clamp over each pump stem. Wrap a small piece of sandpaper
around the tubing for ‘traction’ and push the sample tubing over the shorter
pump stem. Use the sandpaper to help push the drive tubing over the longer
pump stem. If you are using PTFE-lined tubing, be sure to check that the PTFE
lining has not become separated from the tubing while pushing it onto the pump
stem. If you see a ‘bubble’ through the tubing, pull it off the stem, make a fresh
cut, and restart this step.
Figure 6-12 Using Sand Paper to Push Tubing onto Pump Stem
Using the Oetiker pliers, incrementally crimp both ears on each clamp. Alternate
from one ear to the other, slowly pinching the ears closed. Repeat this cycle 2 or
3 times to achieve a proper crimp. Once the clamp is closed properly you should
not be able to see light through the ears of the clamp.
Cut a piece of 1/2"OD x 3/8"ID tubing about 4" (100 mm) long. Push this onto
the Port Stem by about 2" (50 mm). Using the Oetiker pliers, crimp a #14
Oetiker clamp over the tubing, attaching it to the Port Stem.
Figure 6-13 Tubing Attached to Port Stem
NOTE
If you are using PTFE-lined tubing,
be careful not to allow the PTFE
lining to become separated and
cause a visible ‘bubble’at the Port
Stem.

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Figure 6-14 Pump Connected to Port Stem
Place another #14 Oetiker clamp over the open 1/2"OD x 3/8"ID tubing end.
Push the pump intake into the tubing end. You will notice that the pump intake
is recessed to receive the Oetiker clamp. Crimp the clamp to the pump.
7.0 Testing Monitoring Equipment
Before Packer Expansion or Backfilling
Tools and accessories required:
For testing pumps: 466 Pump Controller, 466 Drive Line Adaptor to 1/4"OD
tubing (push), drive gas.
For testing Vibrating Wire Transducers: VWT readout unit.
For testing open tubes: Water Level Meter, Peristaltic Pump.
With the Multilevel installed to depth, before adding water to activate the packers
or backfilling the System, (if applicable) individually check and record VWT
readings and pumping discharges to confirm proper connections, installation,
and performance.
Figure 7-1 Testing Pumps and Transducers