NGWA AUGERING AND MONITORING
WELL PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAM
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the primary filter pack in a monitoring
well?
A. To provide a structural foundation for the heavy casing strings.
B. To filter out all microorganisms from entering the well screen.
C. To act as a chemical buffer against volatile organic compounds.
D. To minimize the entry of fine-grained formation particles into the well.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The primary filter pack is designed to prevent fine-grained
formation materials from entering the well screen while allowing water to flow freely.
2. When using Hollow-Stem Augers (HSA), what is the most common cause of ‘heaving
sands’?
A. Differential hydrostatic pressure between the inside of the auger and the formation.
B. Excessive rotation speed of the auger flighting.
,C. Using a drill bit that is significantly larger than the auger diameter.
D. The chemical reaction between bentonite and saline groundwater.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Heaving sands occur when the hydrostatic pressure in a
saturated sand unit is higher than the pressure inside the hollow stem, forcing sand up into
the auger.
3. According to standard industry practice, what is the minimum recommended annular space
thickness for grouting a monitoring well?
A. 2.0 inches
B. 0.5 inches
C. 5.0 inches
D. 10.0 inches
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A minimum of 2 inches of annular space is generally required to
ensure an effective seal and proper placement of the grout and filter pack.
4. Which material is most appropriate for a monitoring well casing when investigating trace
levels of phthalates?
A. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
B. Carbon Steel
, C. Teflon-lined PVC
D. Stainless Steel
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Stainless steel is preferred over PVC for phthalate testing
because PVC can sometimes contain plasticizers that leach phthalates, potentially biasing
results.
5. What is the specific gravity of a standard neat cement grout (94 lb bag of cement to 5.2
gallons of water)?
A. Approximately 1.0
B. Approximately 1.5
C. Approximately 1.8
D. Approximately 2.2
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Standard neat cement grout typically has a density of around 15
lbs/gallon, resulting in a specific gravity of roughly 1.8.
6. In the context of well development, what is the function of ‘surging’?
A. To move water in and out of the screen to break down the filter cake.
B. To increase the pH level of the groundwater.
C. To check for the presence of radioactive isotopes.
WELL PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAM
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the primary filter pack in a monitoring
well?
A. To provide a structural foundation for the heavy casing strings.
B. To filter out all microorganisms from entering the well screen.
C. To act as a chemical buffer against volatile organic compounds.
D. To minimize the entry of fine-grained formation particles into the well.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The primary filter pack is designed to prevent fine-grained
formation materials from entering the well screen while allowing water to flow freely.
2. When using Hollow-Stem Augers (HSA), what is the most common cause of ‘heaving
sands’?
A. Differential hydrostatic pressure between the inside of the auger and the formation.
B. Excessive rotation speed of the auger flighting.
,C. Using a drill bit that is significantly larger than the auger diameter.
D. The chemical reaction between bentonite and saline groundwater.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Heaving sands occur when the hydrostatic pressure in a
saturated sand unit is higher than the pressure inside the hollow stem, forcing sand up into
the auger.
3. According to standard industry practice, what is the minimum recommended annular space
thickness for grouting a monitoring well?
A. 2.0 inches
B. 0.5 inches
C. 5.0 inches
D. 10.0 inches
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A minimum of 2 inches of annular space is generally required to
ensure an effective seal and proper placement of the grout and filter pack.
4. Which material is most appropriate for a monitoring well casing when investigating trace
levels of phthalates?
A. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
B. Carbon Steel
, C. Teflon-lined PVC
D. Stainless Steel
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Stainless steel is preferred over PVC for phthalate testing
because PVC can sometimes contain plasticizers that leach phthalates, potentially biasing
results.
5. What is the specific gravity of a standard neat cement grout (94 lb bag of cement to 5.2
gallons of water)?
A. Approximately 1.0
B. Approximately 1.5
C. Approximately 1.8
D. Approximately 2.2
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Standard neat cement grout typically has a density of around 15
lbs/gallon, resulting in a specific gravity of roughly 1.8.
6. In the context of well development, what is the function of ‘surging’?
A. To move water in and out of the screen to break down the filter cake.
B. To increase the pH level of the groundwater.
C. To check for the presence of radioactive isotopes.
