Groundwater contamination from well points -- an experience from the Norwegian groundwater monitoring network

Until 2005 the observation wells of the Norwegian Groundwater Monitoring Network in Quaternary aquifers were equipped with metal well points with brass lining. A laboratory leaching test using a new well point demonstrated that the well point material (galvanized iron pipe), the brass lining and the solder used to fix the lining could cause substantial contamination of the collected well water with a long list of chemical elements (Sn, Zn, Pb, Sb, Cd, Fe, Cu, Mn and Al), depending on well capacity, contact time water/well point and pH. Because groundwater chemistry is receiving increased attention in groundwater monitoring all wells were equipped with high density polyethylene (HDPE) points during the years 2004-2005. The HDPE points did not return any values above detection in a similar leaching test, with some minor values of Zn being the only exception.