Monitoring Groundwater Clause Samples
The 'Monitoring Groundwater' clause establishes requirements for regularly observing and assessing groundwater conditions at a specified site. Typically, this involves setting up monitoring wells, collecting water samples at defined intervals, and analyzing these samples for contaminants or changes in water quality. By mandating systematic groundwater monitoring, the clause helps detect potential environmental issues early, ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting both public health and the environment.
Monitoring Groundwater. Groundwater is monitored in or near areas of groundwater contamination that might adversely affect surface water quality (Figure 2). Contaminated groundwater emerges to surface water before leaving the Central OU. DOE will maintain a network of groundwater monitoring ▇▇▇▇▇ to assess the potential effects of contaminated groundwater on surface water quality. These ▇▇▇▇▇ and sampling criteria are identified in Table 2 and shown in Figure 1 with the following well classifications: • Area of Concern (AOC) ▇▇▇▇▇: Located within a drainage and downgradient of a contaminant plume or group of contaminant plumes. These ▇▇▇▇▇ are monitored to determine whether the plume(s) may be discharging to surface water. • Sentinel ▇▇▇▇▇: Typically located near downgradient edges of contaminant plumes, in drainages, and downgradient of groundwater treatment systems. These ▇▇▇▇▇ are monitored to determine whether concentrations of contaminants are increasing, which could indicate plume migration or treatment system problems. • Evaluation ▇▇▇▇▇: Typically located within plumes and near plume source areas, or in the interior of the Central OU. Data from these ▇▇▇▇▇ will help determine when monitoring of an area or plume can cease. A subset of these ▇▇▇▇▇ is located in areas that may experience significant changes in groundwater conditions as a result of closure activities.