Ignore the Details and Varying Uncertainty of Well Data at Your Own Peril

Groundwater investigators can utilize indirect methods (such as geophysical surveys) for hydrologic data collection, and stochastic analyses or data management tools enable us to thoroughly organize and assess the hydrologic data.  However, groundwater investigations inevitably rely on information derived from borings and/or wells. Too often, the considerations and limitations of information from drilling programs and wells are ignored by investigators. Wells should not be considered only as a set of data points to be plotted on a site map to represent hydrogeologic and water quality conditions at various locations. A flaw in this perspective is a disregard for the vertical dimension (well depth and perforated interval) of each well, the impact of the well’s annular seals (or the lack thereof), or the methods and materials used for well drilling, installation, and development. In addition to the construction attributes of wells, inappropriate hydrogeologic interpretations often result from failure of an investigator to embrace sound fundamental scientific principles, such as differentiating precision versus accuracy, validity of significant digits in reporting measured data, and recognition that conceptual models based on extrapolated or interpolated data cannot be assigned the same level of reliability as actual measured or observed values. Clarification of things we can measure and rely upon with certainty—versus the things we assume, interpret, or project with some degree of uncertainty—will enable us to avoid the pitfalls of hydrologic understanding/misunderstanding that can lead to misinterpretation of groundwater conditions and poor design of groundwater supply or remedial infrastructure.