Energy Sites

The adoption of passive sampling techniques for groundwater monitoring at energy sites—including fossil fuel and nuclear facilities—is gaining traction globally.

While traditional methods like pump-and-purge or low-flow sampling have been predominant, the shift towards passive sampling is driven by its cost-effectiveness and reduced environmental impact. In regions with stringent environmental regulations such as North America and Europe, passive sampling has seen significant uptake due to its alignment with sustainability goals and regulatory compliance.

Passive sampling is also perfect for CCR sites with many monitoring wells.

Benefits of Passive Sampling at Energy Sites

• Safety: Energy sites, especially nuclear facilities, benefit from the safety profile of passive sampling. The method minimizes worker exposure to hazardous conditions and helps maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Reduced Environmental Footprint: Passive sampling methods are less invasive compared to traditional techniques. They require no purging and minimal disturbance to the site, preserving the integrity of the groundwater ecosystem—an essential factor at sensitive energy sites. The lack of required power sources or pumps also aligns with power companies’ sustainability initiatives
• Time Savings: The deployment of passive samplers can cover extensive periods, collecting data over days, weeks, or months without the need for frequent site visits. It takes one person 10 minutes to sample each well and there is no set up time or waiting to purge each well. That means less time on hazardous sites and easier scheduling.
• Cost Savings: By reducing the frequency of site visits and the amount of equipment needed, passive sampling can offer considerable cost savings in groundwater monitoring programs. Fewer resources are needed for field personnel, and there are lower logistical costs such as IDW.
• Accuracy of Data: Passive samplers can be deployed to monitor groundwater over extended periods, and have been proven as a reliable method to capture representative aquifer conditions. This is crucial for energy sites where long-term