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Join us in Lincoln, NE for a two-day conference to present results of the Nebraska Grout Study; to present results of the studies relating to the effects of grain coating mineralogy on nitrate and sulfate storage in the unsaturated zone; to consider water well construction technologies to respond to study findings; and, consider where we go from here.
Conference Information
In October of 1999, representatives from the Nebraska Well Drillers Association, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, and Design Water Technologies constructed water well with transparent casing and screen. The goal of the project was to provide state and local entities with working knowledge of well design, construction, and development. The transparent casing and screen allowed a down-hole camera to provide a view of the placement of sand filter pack and bentonite sealing materials. The down-hole camera tapes recorded during the two-day course indicated that the products reacted as predicted.
A down-hole camera survey was performed on the well 16 months after the initial installation. The data collected showed that the grout above the bentonite chip seal had become altered to a point that warranted further study. At that time, the Nebraska Grout Task Force was formed to consider administrative, fiscal, and technical issues related to investigating these anomalies further.
This project was originally developed to study in-situ bentonite grouts over a two-year period to assess state regulations related to minimum percent solids requirements and observe the nature of grout material under varying geologic and hydrologic conditions. These project wells were constructed with bentonite slurry grouts containing less than 20, equal to 20, and greater than 20 percent solids.
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In 2003, after a portion of the site monitoring was performed, it became evident that the bentonite slurry grouts did not perform as expected in the unsaturated zone. Therefore, the Nebraska Grout Task Force expanded the project. The Grout Task Force determined to test all grouts approved by the State of Nebraska and it was decided to support study to provide detailed analyses of the physical and chemical nature of the unsaturated zone.
The final comprehensive study, carried out under this project, has now been completed and this conference will detail the project study, the results and impacts of the findings.
In 2006 the NGTF began the design of another field study that included testing of new annular seal materials above the water table. The NGTF technical team was directed to develop and test potential annular seal materials that may be resistant to physical and chemical characteristics of the unsaturated zone. Well installations for this study were completed in August of 2008. Preliminary findings of this Unsaturated Zone Study will be presented at the conference.
Who Should Attend
Ground water professionals dedicated to providing safe drinking water to the general population should consider attending. This includes regulators, water well contractors, engineers, consultants, policy makers, and related ground water associations.
Registration
- $325.00 Pre-registration by October 13th
- $425.00 Late-registration after October 13th
Your registration includes refreshment breaks, lunches and one copy of the Study Circular. For additional information contact Jacki Loomis, 402-472-7550, jloomis3@unl.edu. Register on-line or print the registration brochure and mail it to:
Nebraska Maps & More Store,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
101 Hardin Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0961
Hotel Information
Conference room rate of $135.00 is available through October 5th. Ask for the Grout Conference rate (Group code: DRL).
Embassy Suites
1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68408
402-474-1111 or dial 1-800-EMBASSY
On-Line Hotel Reservations
Study Circular
One copy is included with each registration. Additional copies will be available after October 28th at $30.00 per copy. Order more circulars on your registration form.
Agenda
Tuesday October 27th 8:00 am to 5:15 pm
Wednesday October 28th 8:00 am to 2:30 pm
Lunch and refreshment breaks are included.
Detailed agenda (as of 10/12/09)
Conference Sponsors
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 Conservation & Survey Division School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
Study Sponsors
Nebraska Grout Task Force which included:
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS)
- Nebraska Well Drillers Association (NWDA)
- Conservation and Survey Division (CSD)
- Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ)
- Baroid, Cetco, and Wyoben
