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Introduction to Groundwater Investigations
Hosted by Environmental Response Training Program (ERTP)
ERT - OSRTI

This 3-day introductory course is designed to provide participants with information concerning hydrogeological processes; and, the scoping and methods for completing investigations that will support confident decision-making for contaminated groundwater sites.  It is intended for personnel who are involved in Superfund or other types of groundwater contamination investigations, but have little or no piror hydrogeological experience.  

Topics that are discussed include hydrogeological definitions and concepts; conceptual site models (CSM) and their role in groundwater investigations; discussion of aquifer types and regional hydrogeology; geophysics; drilling, construction, and placement of monitoring wells; groundwater sampling considerations; groundwater models and their uses; and, vapor intrusion.

Instructional methods include lectures, group discussions, case studies, and both individual and team problem- solving exercises.

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand critical factors that affect the scoping, implementation and cost of a groundwater investigation and determine the data needs and collection methods; and, apply them to an actual investigation scenario.
  • Understand basic regional geology and aquifer systems.
  • Understand the concepts of key hydrogeologic parameters and their relevance to a site investigation.
  • Identify sources of site hydrogeologic data and how that data is gathered and interpreted (for example aquifer stress tests).
  • Prepare and interpret geologic cross-sections and groundwater flow maps.
  • Calculate hydraulic gradient and estimate groundwater flow velocity at a site.
  • Discuss common geophysical survey methods that can be used to support a hydrogeologic investigation.
  • Understand how vapor intrusion relates to groundwater contamination; and, approaches for assessing vapor intrusion as part of a groundwater investigation.
  • Understand and select appropriate site characterization techniques (including various drilling and monitoring well construction methods), based on site-specific data needs, geologic conditions and site constraints.

This course is often presented in the same week as the Advanced Groundwater Investigations Course (AGWI), with AGWI presented on the day immediately following completion of the IGWI course.

Continuing Education Units: 2.0

Unless otherwise specified, THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. 

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend*In compliance with Executive Order 13589 - Promoting Efficient Spending, Section 5; the ERTP will not be regularly printing or providing students hard copies of the course manual. Students may obtain an electronic copy of the student manual for personal printing or e-reading at 

https://ertpvu.org/ClassroomCourseDetail.aspx?id=6

IMPORTANT NOTICES – Applicable to all ERTP courses :

  1. ERTP’s receipt of a Trainex course registration is a Registration Request, it is not a Guaranteed Enrollment in the Course. All ERTP training courses require applicant registration thru the Trainex system. Last minute course arrivals without prior ERTP Trainex course registration approval is not permitted. Before ERTP issues final approval to deliver any course and/or any EPA offices incurring expenses for the training event (including but not limited to EPA staff travel TA’s and/or ERTP training contractor expenses incurred), all EPA mandatory pre-approvals must all be met. The pre-approvals include (but are not limited to) the following:

    • Training location’s availability;
    • COVID status and/or other COVID Guidelines in effect for the location, as well as staff;
    • Agency limitations, scrutiny, and approvals of ‘Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”)’ for the specific training course(s) scheduled delivery timeframe;
    • Weather (blizzard, hurricane, etc);
    • Contractual number of available course training slots;
    • EPA training location staff having priority registration over all other registrations; and/or
    • Hosting site Training Coordinator approval.

    In the event a course is subsequently postponed or canceled, or notification of registration cancellation is received, all EPA travel arrangements (airline/car rental/hotel) should be canceled in a timely manner. Registered students will receive a notification via email if/when a course is postponed and/or cancelled.
     
  2. For in-person course deliveries, confirmed course registered participants must abide by all facility physical access requirements for the location (examples: check-in at the security gate, Federal ID, Government PIV/CAC cards, photo id’s, etc.). If applicable for the course or location, restrictions may apply to non-citizens and acceptable identification may be required for facility entry.
     
For general information contact Registrar by telephone at 513-251-7669 or via e-mail at ertp-registrar2@tetratech.com

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