Overview: The assessment and remediation of groundwater contamination requires knowing the magnitude and distribution of the hydraulic conductivity of soils and sediments. Slug testing of monitoring wells has become the most common means of determining hydraulic conductivity at contamination sites. However, slug testing can be problematic when wells are screened across the water table because of backfill zone drainage or in high permeable formations that exhibit rapid recovery and oscillatory response. They also require an additional phase of investigation. In this course you will learn how to determine hydraulic conductivity from the steady state drawdown and discharge achieved while low flow sampling. The method avoids the cited problems with slug testing and provides synchronous data with water quality sampling. Furthermore the method is useful in evaluating whether remediation methods are influencing the hydraulic conductivity, and whether over time fines are clogging well intakes. The course covers single and multiple discharge-drawdown testing, and includes "hands-on" simulations for honing your skills, a video demonstration, spreadsheets for test and sensitivity analyses and example case histories.

Your Instructor: Gary Robbins, Ph.D.

Course Objectives: In this course you will learn how to determine the hydraulic conductivity of a formation from the steady state drawdown and flow rate achieved during low flow sampling.

Course Outline 1.Low Flow Sampling and Determining K Overview 2.Test Parameters 3.Steady State Models 4.Test Procedures 5.Conduct the Low Flow Test Simulations 6.Conduct Sensitivity Analysis 7.QA/QC Considerations 8.Case Histories 9.Some Last Words by the Author 10.How to Obtain CEUs 11.Select References

Learning Level: Advanced level. The course requires basic knowledge of algebra, geology, physics and use of spreadsheets. It is assumed the participants are familiar with conventional slug testing.

Timeframe: The course should take a minimum of 4 hours, but take your time. Once enrolled, you have 30 days to complete the course before your enrollment expires.

Tuition: $179.00 (includes 6.35% Connecticut Sales Tax)

System and Software Requirements:

Windows XP/Vista/7; Microsoft Excel; Free downloads: Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Shockwave Player (Full version)

Professional Continuing Education: For all States a minimum of 4 hours of course work is required for credit.

Connecticut: Approved for 4 CECs, CTLEP-322

Delaware: Board of Geologists Approved Continuing Education Course for 4 CEUs (approval period October 1, 2010 - September 30, 2012).

Massachusetts: Approved for 4 Technical LSP credits, LSP Course No. 1441

New York: Approved for 4PDHs as an "Other Activity". Course number PS004104.

Requirements for Continuing Education Credits:

To obtain continuing education credits, you have 30 days after you register to submit required material. For this course, you must submit: (1) the Ellipsoidal Flow Steady State Model Analysis Workbook with your results of the Low Flow Test Simulation as a pdf file; (2) the Radial Flow Steady State Model Analysis Workbook with the results from the Radial Flow Simulation as a pdf file; (3) the completed Sensitivity Analysis Workbook as a PDF file; (4) Responsive answers to a set of review questions, (5) a certificate of completion application form indicating you have met the course minimum time requirements, and (6) a course evaluation form (to be completed following the instructor finding your submittals to be satisfactory).

Getting Started: Download the Free Adobe Software. Click on the purchase & register link above to enroll and to obtain a username and password. Once you enroll, return to this page. Then click on the Enter Course link above to begin. The course consists of a slide presentation (in Flash) that allows you to scroll and resize pages and search for content. As appropriate, you will find links to animations, simulations, videos and spreadsheets.