Design of a light‐oil piezomanometer for measurement of hydraulic head differences and collection of groundwater samples

This paper describes a device (“piezomanometer”) that combines three components (an oil‐water manometer, a pushable screened PVC probe, and a system for groundwater sample collection) into a single inexpensive ($130), easily built, reliable tool for rapid collection of shallow groundwater from a streambed or lake bed and accurate measurement of even very small head differences between this groundwater and overlying surface water. The piezomanometer has been tested with excellent results both in the lab and in a stream shallow enough for wading; in principle, it could be adapted for use in deeper water where work is done from a dock, boat, or other platform. The problem of gas bubbles collecting in the groundwater line (a common drawback of field manometers) was nearly eliminated by use of a three‐way valve at a local elevation maximum in the groundwater line (gas bubbles in the groundwater line can be purged through this valve). Field application is illustrated here with data from a 2‐day study using four piezomanometers in a North Carolina stream.