Groundwater levels monitored in real time

Keep a reliable eye on groundwater level, pore water pressure and drawdown during construction works. With high-precision VW piezometers in boreholes, temperature-compensated and with automatic alerting on threshold exceedance.

Construction site with groundwater drawdown next to a railway bridge

Why groundwater monitoring

When the groundwater level decides on stability

Changes in groundwater level and pore water pressure act directly on excavation pits, tunnels, dams, transport routes and foundations. Professional monitoring detects these risks early and provides the data basis for safe and economical decisions.

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Groundwater drawdown under control

During construction works with dewatering, the monitoring shows whether the drawdown stays within the planned range or endangers neighbouring buildings and the excavation pit.

Capture pore water pressure

VW piezometers measure groundwater level and borehole pressure permanently and with temperature compensation, decisive for the stability of excavation pits and dams.

Detect settlement early

Rising or falling water pressure signals settlement and heave long before damage to the structure or transport route becomes visible.

Real-time alerting

If a threshold is exceeded, the system alerts automatically so you can intervene before a critical situation develops.

Audit-proof documentation

Continuous data capture delivers an unbroken, traceable documentation for authorities and clients.

Radio instead of cable trenches

The measuring points transmit their readings by radio. This saves costly cabling across the site and makes even widely distributed boreholes practical.

Simulation

The level that reports itself

If the groundwater rises above the defined threshold, the system raises an alarm immediately. Play through the scenarios: a rising level after heavy rainfall, or a controlled drawdown during a construction project.

Normal level

Target range

The groundwater level is within the defined target range. All measuring points report green.

Standpipe, measuring point GW-01 Demonstration only
Ground level Threshold VW piezometer THRESHOLD EXCEEDED

Level

-3.10 m

Trend

stable

VW piezometer PZ1050, isolated product shot

Measuring principle: VW piezometer

Vibrating-wire technology for maximum precision

At the heart of the system is a vibrating-wire piezometer. It measures groundwater level and pore water pressure via a vibrating wire, long-term stable, low-drift and insensitive to long cable runs. This keeps measurement quality intact over years and under extreme conditions.

  1. 01

    Pressure action

    Water pressure acts on a flexible membrane in the sensor.

  2. 02

    Tension change

    The membrane changes the tension of an integrated wire.

  3. 03

    Frequency measurement

    The wire’s vibration frequency changes in proportion to the pressure.

  4. 04

    Data evaluation

    The frequency is read out and converted into temperature-compensated pressure and level values.

Technical data

VW piezometer overview

Technical data for the PZ1050 model as an example. Filter: 50-micron sintered stainless steel, integrated temperature compensation.

Sensor type
Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VW)
Measuring ranges
50 psi / 100 psi
Accuracy
± 0.1 % of full scale
Resolution
0.025 % full scale
Overload capability
up to 150 % of rated pressure
Operating temperature
−40 °C to +125 °C
Housing
Stainless steel SUS316, corrosion-resistant
Dimensions
Ø 20.2 mm × 114 mm

We define installation depth, filter horizon and backfill for each measuring point.

To the concept service

Distinction

Groundwater in the ground, level in the structure

This page covers the condition of the subsoil: groundwater level and pore water pressure, measured with VW piezometers in a borehole. Free-standing water is a different measuring task. Level and fill states in shafts, wells, standpipes and watercourses are captured by dedicated sensors, wireless and without a power and data line at the measuring point.

Groundwater monitoring for your project

Tell us which measuring points you want to monitor. We plan the monitoring concept and get back to you shortly with a no-obligation quote.

Benedikt Seuss Benedikt Seuss

Data platform

All readings on one platform

The sensors transmit their readings wirelessly to the data platform, where they are evaluated, documented and continuously checked against your thresholds.

  • AI-assisted data analysis
  • User-focused reporting
  • Continuous evaluation
  • Warning and alarm thresholds
  • Alerts by email and text message
  • Remote access around the clock
More on monitoring & alerting
Monitoring platform Sample view
Reading history within limits
Warning threshold
  • AI-assisted data analysis Condition within limits
  • User-focused reporting Report ready
  • Alerting Thresholds monitored

Applications

Where groundwater monitoring is needed

Wherever water in the subsoil affects the safety and economics of a project.

Advantages of VW technology

  • Long-term stable and low-drift
  • Insensitive to long cable runs
  • Low maintenance and temperature-compensated
  • Made in Germany
  • Real-time alert on threshold
  • Audit-proof documentation
Pipeline and conduit routesMining and extraction wellsSoft ground conditionsInfrastructure affected by groundwater
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is a VW piezometer installed?
VW piezometers are typically installed into boreholes and backfilled with bentonite or a cement-bentonite mix. Careful planning of the installation depth and filter horizon is decisive. Our team supports you with planning, installation and documentation of the installation.
How are the measurement data read out?
The data can be read manually with a compatible handheld reader or automatically via data loggers and IoT gateways. Continuous remote monitoring enables real-time alerts as soon as a threshold is exceeded.
What exactly does a piezometer measure?
A VW piezometer captures the groundwater level and pore water pressure in the ground. Using vibrating-wire technology, the water pressure is measured as a frequency change of a vibrating wire and converted into temperature-compensated pressure and level values.
Is the monitoring suitable for groundwater drawdown during construction works?
Yes. During dewatering and groundwater drawdown, the monitoring continuously shows whether the drawdown stays within the planned range. This allows settlement of neighbouring buildings and risks to the excavation pit to be detected early and the authorities’ requirements to be documented without gaps.
How are distributed shafts and levels monitored?
For shaft and level measuring points, Infrasolute uses wireless sensors. The sensors transmit level readings and status messages such as cover openings by radio, without cable trenches. This makes even distributed or hard-to-reach measuring points practical and permanently operable.
How robust is the sensor technology in permanent use?
The VW piezometers deployed are designed for permanent use: stainless steel housing (SUS316), operating temperature from −40 °C to +125 °C and overload capability up to 150 % of rated pressure. The technology is long-term stable, low-drift and low-maintenance.

Project inquiry

Groundwater monitoring for your project

Tell us which measuring points you want to monitor. We plan the monitoring concept and get back to you shortly with a no-obligation quote.

+49 6742 8599600 DE +41 41 670 00 11 CH [email protected]
Project inquiry