The document is intended to assist personnel involved with the design, construction, and installation of ground-water monitoring wells. It does not focus on specific regulatory requirements, but instead presents state-of-the-art technology that may be applied in diverse hydrogeologic situations. The 'Handbook' addresses field-oriented practices to solve monitoring well construction problems rather than conceptual or idealized practices. The information is presented in both matrix and text form. The matrices use a relative numerical rating scheme to guide the user toward appropriate drilling technologies for particular monitoring situations. The text provides the narrative overview of the criteria that influence ground-water monitoring well design and construction. Such influencing factors include purpose, location, site hydrogeology, contaminant characteristics, anthropogenic activities, and testing equipment.

"This report covers a period from June 1985 to May 1989, and work was completed as of June 1989"--Page iii. "Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, Nevada." "This study was conducted in cooperation with National Water Well Association." "Cooperative Agreement CR-812350-01." "Submitted ... by the National Water Well Association under sponsorship of the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada"--Page iii. Includes bibliographical references.

Factors influencing ground-water monitoring well -- Monitoring well planning considerations -- Description and selection of drilling methods -- Design components of monitoring wells -- Completion of monitoring wells -- Monitoring well development -- Monitoring well network management considerations.