View of the inside of a groundwater well

What does the inside of a groundwater well look like? This can be an important question for groundwater scientists! In this photo, we see the view from a video camera inside a groundwater well. USGS scientists can use cameras to inspect the inside of a well to identify any changes in the well that might affect groundwater level measurements over time. For example, clogged well screens in a well could block the flow of water to and from the surrounding aquifer. These inspections are part of well integrity testing and are important for ensuring the reliability and quality of USGS groundwater data at a site over time.