piezométer

A piezometer is a device used to measure piezometric head, which is the hydraulic head or the sum of elevation head and pressure head, in a confined aquifer or in a body of water. It is essentially a simple tube or well that allows for the measurement of the static water level. The piezometric head represents the level to which water would rise in a well penetrating the aquifer due to the pressure within the aquifer. This measurement is crucial for understanding groundwater flow direction and dynamics.

Piezometers are typically installed by drilling boreholes and inserting a perforated pipe, often screened at the bottom to allow water to enter. The water level within the pipe then equilibrates with the water level in the surrounding aquifer. By measuring the height of the water column in the piezometer relative to a datum, the piezometric head can be determined. Different types of piezometers exist, including open standpipes, hydraulic piezometers, and electric piezometers, each with varying levels of precision and application.

The data obtained from piezometers is fundamental in hydrogeology for groundwater resource management, aquifer characterization, and the assessment of groundwater contamination. They help in mapping equipotential lines, which indicate the direction of groundwater flow, and in evaluating the potential for groundwater depletion or recharge. Their relatively simple construction and operation make them a widely used tool in hydrological studies.