What are monitoring wells used for in the context of underground storage tanks (USTs)?

Monitoring wells are critical tools used in the assessment of underground storage tanks (USTs) because they provide a means to sample groundwater for potential contamination. When USTs leak, hazardous substances can seep into the surrounding soil and groundwater. By installing monitoring wells at strategic locations around a UST site, environmental professionals can collect groundwater samples to determine whether contaminants from the UST have migrated from the tank into the groundwater system. This is essential for assessing the extent and impact of any leaks, guiding remediation efforts, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations aimed at protecting water resources.

Sampling surface water, monitoring air quality, or tracking UST usage involve different methodologies and do not directly assess the risk of groundwater contamination from USTs, which is the primary focus of monitoring wells. This specificity underscores the reason why groundwater sampling through monitoring wells is indispensable for understanding the environmental impact of USTs.