Solinst Canada Introduces New Multilevel Drive-Point System

Solinst Canada Ltd. has added a multilevel drive-point system to its line of high-resolution vertical profiling tools, the company announced in a press release. The Model 615ML Multilevel Drive-Point Piezometer can provide several monitoring zones in one drive location, the company says.

The 615 ML Drive-Point ports have a stainless steel, 100-mesh cylindrical filter-screen and a ¾-inch stainless steel drive-point port body. The ports have a dual-barbed stem that allows the connection of either ⅜-inch OD or ¼-inch OD tubing to create up to 3 or 6 monitoring zones, respectively. Water from the monitoring zone enters the port, passes into the stem and up the attached tubing to static level. Groundwater sampling and hydraulic head measurements can be taken within the tubing using small-diameter equipment. Solinst calls the 615ML Multilevel System ideal for high-resolution vertical profiling of soil gas.

The company says the 615 ML uses the same couplings and extensions as standard 615 Piezometers, but with a drive-point tip to thread onto the first extension, or port. The drive-point ports attach to inexpensive ¾-inch NPT steel drive pipe, also similar to standard Solinst 615 installations.

Solinst supplies ¾-inch NPT Delrin caps, and stainless steel couplings and extensions. These accessories can also be locally sourced at plumbing and hardware stores. Solinst says their Drive-Point Piezometers can be driven into the ground with any direct-push or drilling technology, including the manual slide hammer. The 21lb (9.5Kg) slide hammer and all other equipment can easily be transported in a car or truck to most sites.

The Drive-Points are designed for single-use installations, and not for removal and reuse. Solinst Drive-Point Piezometers are most often installed as permanent well points. They can also be used for temporary, short-term monitoring applications.

To learn more, visit Solinst’s website.

Solinst Canada Ltd. has served clients in the groundwater and surface monitoring sectors for more than 35 years. The company offers a range of loggers, peristaltic pumps, samplers and other equipment for hydrogeologists, hydrologists and other water professionals. For more information, visit www.solinst.com.

IGSHPA, NGWA to Hold Joint Conference in Nashville

In a release, IGSHPA says the combined Groundwater Week show Dec. 14-16 at Music City Center makes sense because of the groups’ long-standing relationship. The event will offer a range of continuing education and networking opportunities.

“IGSHPA’s participation in this year’s event adds a wonderful element to the proceedings,” says NGWA Chief Executive Officer Terry Morse. “There are long-standing partnerships between the professionals in our industries and I am certain that we all have a lot to share. It’s an exciting time to be getting back to business and we’re looking forward to a successful and engaging event this December.”

IGSHPA says the event, its first in 2018, will offer members and opportunity to “re-engage with the groundwater and drilling community at a time when those skills are more in demand than ever before.”

NGWA is a nonprofit that supports responsible development, management and use of water resources. It is comprised of groundwater professionals ranging from contractors to equipment manufacturers to scientists and engineers. For more information, visit www.ngwa.org.

IGSHPA is an affiliate organization of GEO, a 501(c)(6), non-profit national trade association advocating for the geothermal heat pump industry. Its mission is to serve as the training and accreditation organization for the ground-source heat pump industry. For more information, visit igshpa.org.

The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) has partnered with the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) to hold a joint conference this December in Nashville.

“I am thrilled to be heading to Nashville for IGSHPA’s first conference in three years,” says IGSHPA Chairperson Kortney Lull. “As a longtime supporter of both IGSHPA and NGWA, it makes sense to have our industries aligned in a variety of ways. Geothermal heat pump technology is catching the attention of so many building owners and clean energy stakeholders, and we need the knowledge and expertise of NGWA’s members if we are going to be successful in growing the market. I can’t wait to see everyone in Music City.”

Deep Foundations Institute Names 2021 Service Award Recipient

Boh Bros. Construction Co. Vice President Dale Biggers, PE, is the recipient of the Deep Foundations Institute’s 2021 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The award, which honors exceptional contributions to the advancement of the deep foundations industry, will be presented at the group’s 46th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations in Las Vegas.

“Dale truly embodies the essence of the DSA,” says Theresa Engler, executive director of DFI. “During his storied career he has shown exceptional leadership, technical innovation and dedication to the advancement of the deep foundations industry as well as the young engineers and students who are the future of the industry.”

Biggers has worked with New Orleans-based Boh Bros. for 53 years, previously as manager of the pile driving and marine construction department, DFI says in a release.

In addition to his work at Boh Bros., Biggers also devotes time to industry associations. He is an active member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), DFI Driven Pile Committee and ACI 543 Concrete Pile Committee. He is chair of Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) Technical Committee and chair of the GeoCoalition Code Committee. He is also a mentor to the Capstone Project teams at the University of New Orleans.

Biggers was the chair of the task force for the International Building Codes (IBC) revisions, a nine-year effort that involved monthly meetings of a 35-member committee comprised of structural engineers, geotechnical engineers and contractors from across the country. He served as chair of the 2017 DFI Annual Conference on Deep Foundations held in New Orleans and was awarded the ASCE Outstanding Engineer New Orleans in 2006.

Born and bred in New Orleans, Biggers attended Tulane University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and civil engineering. In addition, he graduated from the U. S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School.

The DFI is an international association of contractors, engineers, academics and suppliers in the deep foundations industry with more than 4,000 members worldwide. For more information about the Deep Foundations Institute, visit www.dfi.org.