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Overview
Description
High Quality Samples
Manual Slide Hammer
Applications
Sample in Narrow Diameter
Triple Tube Sampler
Hydraulic Head
Overview
Drive-Point Piezometers are a cost-effective way to perform initial site investigations and plume delineations, and are used for groundwater or soil gas sampling, UST monitoring, sparge points and water level measurements.
The Model 615 Piezometer is constructed of stainless steel with NPT threads for attachment to stainless or less expensive steel extensions. Inexpensive steel extensions make it cost-effective to leave these piezometers in the ground for longer term monitoring. An inner polyethylene or TeflonŽ tube connects the tip to the surface. This prevents the sample water from contacting the steel extensions, allowing higher quality samples.
Model 615 piezometers can be purchased with or without a shield which prevents contamination and smearing of the screen while driving. They can be driven into loose sands with a hand-held slide and vibrating hammer or a powered rig for greater depths and firmer soils. The Sand PiperŽ can be used for easier hammer operation.
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Description
The Model 615 Drive-Point Piezometers are designed to give field personnel a truly inexpensive method to monitor groundwater in suitable conditions.
Solinst 615 Drive-Point Piezometers attach to inexpensive 3/4" NPT steel drive pipe which is widely available through local plumbing and hardware stores.
Solinst Drive-Point Piezometers are most often installed permanently as wells, for short-term or long-term monitoring of groundwater level and quality. They can also be used once and removed. Drive-point, tubing and pipe alternatives are available to suit almost every situation.
High quality samples can be obtained as polyethylene or TeflonŽ lined tubing is attached to the stainless steel drive point piezometers. A shielded version is available which avoids clogging or smearing of the screen during installation. Sampling and head measurements are taken within the tubing with small diameter equipment.
Solinst Drive-Point Piezometers can be driven into the ground, or the soil at the bottom of a borehole with any direct push or drilling technology, including a vibrating power hammer or the manual slide hammer shown at right.
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High Quality Samples
Model 615 Piezometers are composed of a stainless steel cylindrical filter screen protected within a 3/4" (20 mm) stainless steel drive-point body with an internal filter support and a barbed fitting for attachment of sample tubing.
The inner barbed fitting allows connection of 5/8" x 1/2" (16 mm x 12 mm) LDPE or TeflonŽ sample tubing. This prevents sample water from contacting the steel extension casing, and maintains high sample integrity even when inexpensive carbon steel extensions are used.
615S shielded drive-point piezometers have a single use, optional filter shield to avoid smearing and plugging of the filter during driving. The strengthened connector at the top of the drive-point acts as an annular seal which avoids contamination from higher levels in the hole. Optional heavy duty extension couplings strengthened to create a more rugged piezometer are also available.
615N Drive-Point Piezometers are designed for hydraulic head measurements with no barb for tubing. This saves money and frees up more space for easier use of a water level meters.
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Manual Slide Hammer

For the most inexpensive wellpoint installations, the Manual Slide Hammer can be used to install the Solinst Drive-Point Piezometers without the need for any expensive equipment on site. The slide hammer and all other equipment can easily be transported in a car or truck to most sites.
A heavy-duty drive head is used, on which the slide hammer impacts, and a tubing by-pass ensures that the tubing does not get damaged during installation. A vibrating power hammer can also be used for installation of drive-points.
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Applications
Model 615 Drive-Points are suitable for the following uses:
- groundwater sampling, including VOCs
- contaminant plume delineations
- low cost and minimal disturbance site assessment
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Sample in Narrow Diameter

Direct push sampling has quickly become a popular way to obtain groundwater samples; however, sampling within drive-points requires a narrow diameter sampler. Solinst offers several options for this specific sampling application.
Single Valve Pump
To sample from within Solinst Model 615 Drive-Point Piezometers, the integral tubing can be converted easily into a Solinst Single Valve Pump. This inexpensive modification creates a dedicated compressed air or nitrogen drive pump out of 5/8" x 1/2" (12 mm x 16 mm) tubing. Suitable for sampling to depths of 150 ft. (45 m).
Miniature Point Source Bailer
The 1/2" (12 mm) dia. stainless steel bailer works very well in 615N Drive-Point Piezometers. The bottom emptying device permits a regulated, steady flow.
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Triple Tube Sampler

A portable pump and packer assembly collects samples from sampling tubes as small as 3/8" (10mm) ID. A nitrogen inflated packer seals the sample tube at the desired depth. Gas is applied to push water to the surface in a continuous slug. The TTS is effective to 150 ft. ( 45 m).
Peristaltic Pump
The Peristaltic Pump uses the suction lift principle. Suitable for 1/4" (6 mm) ID or larger diameters. The Peristaltic Pump provides a regulated and steady flow. It works effectively up to 30 ft. (10 m)
WaTerra Pump
The WaTerra Pump operates as an inertial pump. Raising and lowering the check valve and tubing raises a sample. The SS10 footvalve suits wells as narrow as 1/2" (12 mm) ID and works to depths of 75 ft. (25 m).
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Hydraulic Head

Water levels can be measured in any of the drive-points described, using a Solinst Model 102, or the Narrow Tape Solinst Model 101 Water Level Meter for the most accurate hydraulic head measurements.
It is possible to conduct falling or rising head tests much more rapidly in narrow diameter tubes than in conventional 2" (50 mm) wells.
Couplings
Heavy duty couplings are available for the Model 615 Drive-Point Piezometers. The reinforced shoulder gives added support to the pipe threads, to withstand driving stresses and to give more accura te alignment. The maximum OD is 1.5" (38 mm).
Vibrating Power Hammer
615 Piezometers can be installed using a variety of vibrating 'rock breaker' type hammers.
A two piece drive head assembly has a hardened steel adaptor to suit the threads of the drive pipe used. The drive head is sized to suit standard bit sizes, 1-1/8" and 7/8" (28mm and 22 mm) and has a tubing by-pass slot in the side. The Drive Head Assembly can be reused installation after installation.
Depth Limitations
Drive-point piezometers are not suitable for all sites. The depth limitations vary, especially with soil conditions and the drive technology used.
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