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. Slug testing entails instantaneously lowering the water level in a well by bailing, pumping or displacement, or by instantaneously raising the water level in a well by adding water and then monitoring the water level recovery as a function of time. The hydraulic conductivity may be determined by the rate of water level recovery using appropriate models. Pneumatic slug testing entails using air pressure or vacuum in the well headspace to instantaneously change the water level. It is particularly useful in wells installed in formations that have high permeability. Such wells have very rapid response times on the order of seconds and may exhibit oscillatory inertial response. These conditions preclude the use of conventional slug testing for determining the hydraulic conductivity.

Your Instructor: Gary Robbins, Ph.D.

Course Objectives: In this course you will learn how to conduct pneumatic slug testing and analyze underdamped and overdamped responses for hydraulic conductivity.

Course Outline 1.Slug test review 2.Pneumatic slug test procedures 3.Overdamped water level response and models 4.Critically damped water level response 5.Underdamped water level response 6.Underdamped response theory 7.Underdamped slug test model solutions 8.Practical aspects in conducting and analyzing slug tests 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 with Add-in Solver Activated; Free downloads: Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Shockwave Player (Full version)

Professional Continuing Education:

Connecticut: Approved for 4 CECs, CTLEP-292. A minimum of 4 hours of course work is required for credit.

Massachusetts: Approved for 4 Technical LSP credits, LSP course 1404a, if you have not taken LSP Course 1404, Pneumatic Slug Test Field Course; Approved for 2 Technical LSP credits, LSP Course 1404a, if you have taken LSP Course 1404, Pneumatic Slug Test Field Course, A minimum of 4 hours of course work is required for either credits.

New York: Approved for 4PDHs as an "Other Activity". Course number PS003675. A minimum of 4 hours of course work is required for credit.

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 spreadsheet analyses for the two pneumatic slug test simulations in pdf format, (2) responsive answers to a set of review questions, (3) a certificate of completion application form indicating you have met the course minimum time requirements, and (4) a course evaluation form.

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.