Modified Waterloo Profiling: Groundwater Site Investigation

Lee Rosberg, ‘05
Stone Environmental, Inc.

The Modified Waterloo Profiling system creates detailed groundwater profiles and allows for comprehensive site characterization for locations with plumes of groundwater contamination. Depending on site characteristics, this method can be a cost effective alternative to monitoring wells that yields more data with greater accuracy. It was conceived by Dr. John Cherry, University of Waterloo, and designed/built by Mr. Robert Ingleton. Mr. Seth Pitkin and Mr. Mike Rossi, former graduate students at the University of Waterloo, have modified and used it commercially during the past decade for Stone Environmental, Inc. Using a specialized tip threaded onto drilling rod that is advanced by direct push methods continuous point samples are taken in site specific transects. Cross contamination, losses due to sorption, and volatilization of groundwater samples are nominal. This ensures high quality samples, which leads to a better understanding of a plume’s anatomy. The Modified Waterloo Profiler is often coupled with the use of a Membrane Interface Probe and On-Site Laboratories for fast results that allow field personnel to alter their sampling strategy. I have highlighted some strengths of the Modified Waterloo Profiler, but will also underline some of its weaknesses and discuss my experiences as a field geologist operating the profiling system.