Groundwater investigation services
Understanding what is happening beneath the surface, from water quality to contaminant movement.
Groundwater investigations characterise the water beneath a site — its depth, flow direction, quality, and whether it has been affected by contamination. Because groundwater moves, it can carry contamination beyond a property boundary or bring off-site contamination onto a project, making it a critical part of contaminated land work and water resource planning. Environmental Specialists Australia scopes and delivers groundwater investigations that establish these baseline conditions and interpret what they mean for a site and its neighbours.
The work combines an understanding of hydrogeology with the practical business of monitoring bore design, sampling, and data interpretation. In Australia groundwater is a regulated resource, and its assessment is guided by national water quality guidelines, state water management laws, and the site contamination framework. Our consultants develop conceptual models of how groundwater behaves beneath a site, assess results against the relevant guidelines and beneficial uses, and translate the findings into advice that supports contamination assessment, approvals, and water take considerations.
When is this service required?
- Contaminated land investigations where groundwater is a potential pathway
- Sites where contamination may be migrating on or off the property via groundwater
- Establishing baseline groundwater conditions before a project begins
- Assessing groundwater dependence of ecosystems or nearby users
- Projects proposing to intercept, dewater, or extract groundwater
Our process
- Hydrogeological review: Desktop review of geology, aquifers, registered bores, and existing data to frame the investigation.
- Monitoring network design: Advice on the number, location, and depth of monitoring bores needed to answer the site questions.
- Sampling: Groundwater sampling using appropriate purging and quality control to obtain representative results.
- Interpretation: Assessment of groundwater quality, flow, and contamination against relevant guidelines and beneficial uses.
- Reporting: A conceptual groundwater model and clear reporting of implications for the site and surrounding receptors.
What we deliver
- Hydrogeological desktop assessments
- Groundwater monitoring network designs
- Groundwater sampling and analysis programs
- Conceptual groundwater models
- Assessment against water quality guidelines and beneficial uses
- Reporting on contamination pathways and migration risk
Frequently asked questions
- Why is groundwater important in a contamination assessment?
- Groundwater is a mobile pathway — contamination that reaches it can travel beyond the site and affect downgradient users or ecosystems. Assessing groundwater tells you whether contamination is contained, migrating, or arriving from elsewhere, which fundamentally shapes the risk picture and any management response.
- What is the difference between an investigation and ongoing monitoring?
- A groundwater investigation is a point-in-time study that characterises conditions and establishes a conceptual model. Ongoing monitoring involves repeated sampling over time to track trends, seasonal variation, or the performance of a remediation or management measure. Many sites need an investigation first, then monitoring if warranted.
- Do I need approvals to install monitoring bores?
- Groundwater is a regulated resource and bore installation and any water take can trigger licensing or notification requirements that vary by state. We identify the relevant obligations early so bore works and any extraction are planned in line with the applicable water management framework.
- How long does a groundwater investigation take?
- A single sampling round can be completed in a few weeks including laboratory turnaround, but establishing flow direction and seasonal behaviour often needs several rounds over months. We recommend a program proportionate to the decisions you need to make and confirm timing at the outset.