Accuracy Testing of Electric Groundwater-Level

Measurement Tapes

By Jim Jelinski, Christopher S. Clayton, and Janice M. Fulford 

Open-File Report 2014–1236

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
ii

U.S. Department of the Interior 

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Suzette M. Kimball, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2015 

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visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

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Suggested citation: 

Jelinski, J., Clayton, C.S., and Fulford, J.M., 2015, Accuracy testing of electric groundwater-level measurement tapes: 

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1236, 27 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141236.

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain 

copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be 

secured from the copyright owner. 

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)
iii

Contents

Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

Description of Electric Tapes ...................................................................................................................................... 2

Tape Model Information .......................................................................................................................................... 4 

Tape Operation Observations ................................................................................................................................. 6 

Accuracy Test Procedures .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Tape Length ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 

Probe Activation and Volume Displacement ........................................................................................................... 8 

Accuracy Test Results ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Tape Length ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 

Probe Activation and Volume Displacement ......................................................................................................... 10

Electric Tape Accuracy ............................................................................................................................................. 13

Summary .................................................................................................................................................................. 14

References Cited ...................................................................................................................................................... 15

Figures

[Figures are located at the back of the report] 

1. Photos of the electric tapes tested: (Left to right) Durham Geo Water Level Indicator, Geotech ET Water 

Level Meter, Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter, In-Situ Rugged Water Level Tape 200, Solinst Model 101 P2 

Water Level Meter, and Waterline Model 500 Engineering Scale

2. Durham Geo Water Level Indicator: Photo of front of electric tape in upper left, photo of back of electric tape 

in upper right, closeup of probe in middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo

3. Geotech ET Water Level Meter: Photo of front of electric tape in upper left, photo of back of electric tape in 

upper right, closeup of probe in middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo

4. Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter: Photo of front of electric tape in upper left, photo of back of electric tape in 

upper right, closeup of probe in middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo

5. In-Situ Rugged Water Level Tape 200: Photo of front of electric tape in upper left, photo of back of electric 

tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo

6. Solinst Model 101 P2 Water Level Meter: Photo of front of electric tape in upper left, photo of back of electric 

tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo

7. Waterline Model 500 Engineering Scale: Photo of front of electric tape in upper left, photo of back of electric 

tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo

8. The anchor part of the tape-length test apparatus. Upper photo: Two steel tapes in the apparatus. Lower left 

photo: aligning tape graduations in the apparatus. Lower right photo: Closeup of two tapes in the apparatus, 

and the blade of the machinist's square used to align them

9. The tensioner part of the tape-length test apparatus. Upper photo: Two steel tapes in the apparatus attached 

to scales. Lower left photo: Tape graduations being compared using a magnifying glass and the Vernier 

scale. Lower right photo: Closeup of a steel tape (upper) and an electric tape (lower) on the Vernier scale

10. Three photos of probe-activation test apparatus. Left photo shows the apparatus with the water cup removed. 

Middle photo shows the apparatus with a tape installed and an inset photo of the hook gages at the water 

surface. Right photo shows measurement being made between two of the slide-assembly reference surfaces

11. Cumulative error between 100-ft electric-tape segment and a steel reference tape over an electric-tape length 

of 300 ft. Electric tapes tested at their in-use tension and steel reference tape at its reference tension

12. Probe-activation zero offset in feet for water with various specific conductance values. Zero offset is positive 

for probes that activate lower and is negative for probes that activate higher than the zero end of the tape
iv

13. Closeup photos of the Geotech contact pin just at and after water contact. Note the very small change in 

water height when the pin makes contact

14. Closeup photos of the Solinst contact pin just before and just after water contact. Note the large change in 

water height when the pin makes contact

15. The volume of water, in cubic inches, displaced by each probe when lowered to its activation point in water 

solutions with various specific conductance values

16. Well water-level rise with trend lines based on averaged probe-displacement volumes for six electric-tape 

models for averaged water sample specific conductance

17. Model average, maximum, and minimum values for the tape-length accuracy for six different models of 

electric groundwater tape

18. Model average, maximum, and minimum values for the zero offset for six different models of electric 

groundwater tape

19. Cumulative average differences between electric-tape models and reference measurements over an electrictape length of 300 ft that include checks for tape-length accuracy and for probe zero offset

Tables

1. Electric well tape features and specifications for the models tested. ............................................................. 3 

2. Available electric tape lengths for the models tested. .................................................................................... 4 

3. Measurement statistics for the normalized difference between the electric tape and the steel reference 

tape for measured 100-ft tape segments. The difference excludes any contribution from the probe. .......... 10

4. Measurement statistics for probe zero offset test in feet. Probes were set to maximum sensitivity. ............ 12

5. Average probe-displacement volumes for six electric-tape models for three water samples of different 

specific conductance. .................................................................................................................................. 12

6. Calculated well water-level rise based on averaged probe-displacement volumes for six electric-tape models 

for averaged water sample specific conductances. ..................................................................................... 13

7. Model average, maximum, and minimum values measured for zero offset and for the 

 tape-length accuracy. ................................................................................................................................. 14
v

Conversion Factors

Inch/Pound to SI 

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

Area

square inch (in2) 6.452 square centimeter (cm2)

Volume

cubic inch (in3) 16.39 cubic centimeter (cm3) 

Mass

pound, avoirdupois (lb) 0.4536 kilogram (kg)

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows: 

°C=(°F-32)/1.8 

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 25 °C). 
vi
1

Accuracy Testing of Electric Groundwater-Level

Measurement Tapes

By Jim Jelinski,1 Christopher S. Clayton,2 and Janice M. Fulford3

Abstract

Electric tapes are used to measure groundwater levels and to verify the accuracy of pressure 

transducers installed in wells. Electric tapes are generally assumed to be accurate to ±0.01 foot (ft), but 

little information is available from the manufacturers and no accuracy studies have been conducted to 

confirm this value. This study measured the accuracy of six popular models of electric groundwater 

tapes.

The tapes tested include models from Durham Geo, Geotech, Heron, In-Situ, Solinst, and 

Waterline that are commonly used by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS). The accuracy tests compared 

the length of each electric tape to a calibrated-steel reference tape and measured each probe’s activation 

accuracy and displacement volume. The tape-length accuracy combined with the probe-activation 

accuracy gave the overall measurement accuracy of the tape. 

The accuracy tests demonstrated that none of the electric-tape models tested consistently met the 

suggested USGS accuracy of ±0.01 ft. The test data show that the tape models in the study should give a 

water-level measurement that is accurate to roughly ±0.05 ft per 100 ft without additional calibration. 

To meet USGS accuracy guidelines, the electric-tape models tested will need to be individually 

calibrated. Specific conductance also plays a part in tape accuracy. The probes will not work in water 

with specific conductance values near zero, and the accuracy of one probe was unreliable in very high 

conductivity water (10,000 microsiemens per centimeter). 

Introduction

Electric groundwater-level measurement tapes (electric tapes or e-tapes) are used by the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) and others to measure groundwater levels in wells. These tapes indicate a 

water level when an electrical connection is completed by the well water bridging two electrical 

contacts on the probe. Several models of electric tapes specifically designed to measure groundwater 

levels are available for purchase. These tapes, when individually calibrated (Freeman and others, 2004, 

p. 34), are also used to verify the accuracy of pressure transducers installed in groundwater wells. 

Modern graduated electric tapes are cited as being “commonly accurate to +/- 0.01 foot” (Cunningham 

and Schalk, 2011, p. 33). An accuracy of “0.01 ft or 0.01 percent of depth to water above or below a 

measuring point, whichever is least restrictive” is suggested for groundwater-level measurements by the 

 

1

U.S. Geological Survey (retired). 

2

U.S. Geological Survey (former employee).

3

U.S. Geological Survey. 
2

USGS (Freeman and others, 2004, p. 16). However, little information is available from the 

manufacturers or other independent studies on the accuracy of electric tapes and on whether they meet 

the suggested USGS accuracy. 

Six models of electric tapes, commonly used by the USGS, were purchased and tested: Durham 

Geo Water Level Indicator, Geotech ET Water Level Meter, Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter, In-Situ 

Rugged Water Level Tape 200, Solinst Model 101 P2 Water Level Meter, and the Waterline Model 500 

Engineering Scale. The tests compared the cumulative-length difference in 100-foot (ft) sections of each 

tape’s graduations to a calibrated steel reference tape and measured each electric tape’s activation 

accuracy and displacement volume in specific conductance solutions with values of near 0; 50; 1,000; 

and 10,000 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm). The sum of the tape-graduation 

differences from the standard and the probe-activation (or zero offset) difference from the actual water 

level gave the overall difference between the tape indication and the true water level, and the overall 

accuracy of the tape. 

This study measured the accuracy of six models of commercially available electric groundwater 

tapes using a traceable reference. This report describes the methods used to test the electric tapes and the 

results. It also includes a brief description of the tested tapes and field observations when using the 

electric tapes, which may affect the overall quality of the data obtained from them. 

Acknowledgments

The research and testing described in this report was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey 

Office of Groundwater. The authors thank William Cunningham, Rodney Sheets, and the Water Science 

Field Team for their help and support in this study. Thanks also to Bobby Richards and the Mississippi 

Water Science Center for their help and insight in field testing the tapes. Gratitude is extended to the 

reviewers of this report, who made many helpful comments and suggestions. 

Description of Electric Tapes

The six electric-tape models tested in this study are: Durham Geo Water Level Indicator, 

Geotech ET Water Level Meter, Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter, In Situ Rugged Water Level Tape 

200, Solinst Model 101 P2 Water Level Meter, and the Waterline Model 500 Engineering Scale (fig. 1). 

Three new units of each model were tested, for a total of 18 tapes. 

All of the electric-tape models tested are manufactured primarily for use in groundwater wells. 

An electric tape indicates the water level when an electrical connection is completed by the well water 

bridging two electrical contacts on the probe. Common features of the tested electric tapes are: 

1. A hand-operated reel that includes a stand, a probe holder, and a brake to regulate the rotation of 

the reel. 

2. An indicator module built into the reel hub that includes a light, beeper, test function, sensitivity 

control and battery, and may include an on/off switch. 

3. A “tape” with two electrical conductors, marked in distance graduations, which is spooled onto 

the reel and connected to the indicator circuit. 

4. A probe with a pair of metal contacts that is connected to the conductors at the end of the tape. 

The contacts are located 1 ft below the 1-ft tape mark. 
3

The brake on most models is a plastic-tipped screw that bears against the rear flange of the reel. Only 

the Waterline model uses a brake that is controlled by rotating the knob in the center of the front face of 

the reel. Table 1 lists some of the features for the various electric-tape models, as well as selected 

specifications for the electric tapes. Several models have flat-steel tape cores for added strength in 

addition to the electric conductors. All of the models tested were graduated in decimal feet. Most of the 

tapes were 300 ft long, the most common length in use, but 100-ft and 500-ft tapes were also tested to 

check for manufacturing and accuracy differences. Table 2 lists the available lengths for each electrictape model. The Geotech model came with a 20-page operator’s manual; all other models came with a 

single-page information sheet. 

Table 1. Electric well tape features and specifications for the models tested. 

[in., inches; %, percent; ft, feet; lbs, pounds; SST, stainless steel; PU, polyurethane; PE, polyethylene; PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon); V, volts] 

Durham Geo Geotech Heron In-Situ Solinst Waterline

Probe

Contact type Surface Pin Surface Surface Pin Surface

Diameter (in.) 3/8 5/8

1

5/8

1

5/8 1/2 1/2

Length (in.) 6 3/4 6 1/2 6 7/8 6 7/8 7 1/2 6 5/8

2

Materials: SST, PE SST, PTFE SST, PTFE SST, PTFE SST SST

Tape construction

Flat-steel core no3

yes yes yes no3yes

Cross section round dog-bone4

dog-bone4dog-bone4dog-bone4dog-bone4

Dimensions (in.) 0.15 diameter 0.39 x 0.08 0.39 x 0.08 0.38 x 0.08 0.39 x 0.07 0.38 x 0.07

Coating PU PE PE PE PE not stated

Color black yellow yellow yellow white yellow

Tape graduations

Color(s) gray black/red black/red black/red black/red black/red

Marked on outer jacket inner core inner core inner core outer flat 

midsection

inner core

Accuracy 

(% per 100 ft)

not stated ±0.1 ±0.1 ±0.1 not stated not stated

General

Tape length (ft) 300 100 300 300 300 500

Reel diameter (in.) 9 7 5/8 10 1/2 10 1/2 10 12

Overall weight (lb) 8 1/2 6

5

9 1/2 9 1/2 8 1/2 11 1/2

Battery type (2) AA 9V 9V 9V 9V 9V

On-Off switch Yes Yes No No Yes Yes

Casing hanger No Yes Yes Yes Yes6 No

Tape guide No Optional7,8 Yes9 Yes9 Yes7 No

Warranty (years) 1 1 5 5 3 1

1Optional 3

/8-in. diameter probe of a different design is available (not tested). 

2Length excludes weight assembly. 

3

 Stranded (steel or stainless steel) electrical conductors are also used as strength members. 

4Dog-bone cross section consists of two circular sides housing the conductors separated by a flat middle, usually containing a flat-steel 

tape core for strength reinforcement. 

5The Geotech 300-ft model weighs 14 lbs (information from the operator’s manual).

6Combined with the tape guide. 

7Tape guide is a separate piece, placed on the well casing for use. 

8Casing guide is a separate piece (different from tape guide) standard with the electric tape. 

9

Included with probe holder, attached to the frame. 
4

Table 2. Available electric tape lengths for the models tested.

[X denotes availability; ft, feet] 

Available

lengths

(ft)

Durham Geo Geotech Heron In-Situ Solinst Waterline

35 - - - - - X

50 - - X - X -

75 - - - X - X

100 X X X X X -

150 X - X X X X

200 - X X

1 X X X

250 - - - - X -

300 X X X

1 X X X

500 X X X

1, 2 X2 X X

650 - - - - X -

750 - X - X

2 X -

800 - - X

1, 2

- - X

1,000 X X X

1, 2 X2 X X

1,250 - - - - X -

1,500 - - X

1,2, 3 X2 X X

1,650 - - - - X -

2,000 - - X

1,2, 3 X2 X X

2,500 - - X

1,2, 3

- X

4

-

1Available in 100-ft increments to 2,500 ft maximum. 

2Aluminum-reel flanges for tapes longer than 400 ft. 

3Reel stand is a double-A frame for tapes 1,500 ft long and longer. 

4Lengths to 6,000 ft. 

Tape Model Information 

The Durham Geo Water Level Indicator (Durham Geo-Enterprises, 2009) electric tape, 

commonly known as a Slope Indicator, is shown in figure 2. This electric tape has the smallest diameter 

probe of the models tested. The electric tape activates when the water covers the polyethylene insulator 

and completes the electrical circuit between the tip and body of the probe (fig. 2). The tip of the probe 

has a small cross hole for attaching an additional weight. The “tape” is round coaxial cable with gray 

graduation marks laser etched into the black polyurethane jacket. The gray-on-black markings are low 

contrast and are more difficult to read than the higher contrast markings used on the other tapes. The 

surface of the coaxial cable is noticeably easier to grip than all the other tapes in the test. The steel 

strands in the cable are used both as electrical conductors and strength members. The Durham Geo reel 

has aluminum flanges and rotates on bronze bushings. The reel is mounted in a coated tubular steel 

frame that includes a metal probe holder. The indicator module has a sensitivity switch that includes an 

“off” position and a separate test button. Some replacement parts are available on the Durham Geo Web

site.

The Geotech ET Water Level Meter (Geotech Environmental Equipment, 2008) is shown in 

figure 3. The tubular stainless-steel probe is attached to the tape below a 2-inch (in.) rubber coupler and 

can be unscrewed just below the coupler. The electric tape activates when the water closes the electrical 

circuit between the probe body and the stainless-steel contact pin located between two cross holes in the 

open tube end of the probe body. The Geotech ET tape has the same construction and appearance as the 

Heron, In-Situ, and Waterline tapes. The tape is coated in clear polyethylene and is made of insulated 

wires running along each side of a yellow-coated, flat-steel core—hence, a “dog-bone” cross section 
5

(table 1). Black numerals are printed at the 1/10-ft marks and the numbers for the “foot” marks are 

highlighted in red. 

The reel uses machined polypropylene flanges that are much thicker (3/8 in.) and heavier than 

the other plastic reels tested. According to the material provided by the manufacturer, a Geotech ET 

with a 300-ft length weighs 14 pounds (lbs), which is the heaviest of the 300-ft electric tapes in this test. 

The indicator module has a sensitivity switch that includes an “off” position, and runs a self-test each 

time it is turned on. The Geotech frame is made from solid-aluminum round bar and has a welded-on 

wire casing hanger, a plastic probe holder, and a rubber-cushioned handle (fig. 3). The Geotech includes 

a separate casing guide that is used to prevent tape abrasion on the top of well casings with diameters in 

the range of 2 to 4 in. A tape guide (also a separate piece) that prevents the tape from rubbing against 

the edge of the well casing and being damaged is optional. 

The Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter (Heron Instruments Groundwater Monitoring Inc, 2011) 

is shown in figure 4. The electric tape activates when water covers the Teflon insulator and completes 

the circuit between the probe tip and the stainless-steel body (fig. 4). Connecting the probe to the tape is 

a flexible breakaway joint that allows the tape to be recovered if the probe gets jammed in the well. 

The Heron tape has the same construction and appearance as the previously described Geotech 

tape. The Heron reel is molded plastic with thickened edges, and has brass bushings running on a 

stainless-steel axle. The indicator module includes a loud beeper and a sensitivity control. The tubular 

steel frame is coated with polyester and includes a cushioned-vinyl carrying handle. The frame has a 

welded-on wire casing hanger. Near the casing hanger is a molded plastic fitting that is both a probe 

holder and a tape guide. According to the manufacturer, tapes that are 1,500 ft or longer have a doubleA-frame-style frame. 

The In-Situ Rugged Water Level Tape 200 (In-Situ Inc., 2011) is shown in figure 5. The In-Situ 

Rugged Level Tape 200 electric tapes and reels in the test were nearly identical to the Heron dipper-T 

electric tapes and reels, except for the reel color, the labeling, and the slightly smaller tape width 

(0.38 in. compared with 0.39 in.; table 1). In-Situ’s brochure description of this tape is similar to the 

description in the Heron brochure for the dipper-T. 

The Solinst Model 101 P2 Water Level Meter (Solinst Canada Ltd., 2011) is shown in figure 6. 

The probe body is a stainless-steel rod, with an oblong cross slot running through the probe at its 

midpoint (fig. 6). The electric tape activates when water enters the slot and completes the electrical 

circuit between the body and the contact pin (fig. 6) that protrudes into the cross slot. The Solinst “tape”

is unique among the tapes tested in that it has a dog-bone cross section and is made of polyethylene tape 

running between and insulating two stranded stainless-steel wires that are both electrical conductors and 

strength members. The Solinst reel is molded plastic with thickened edges. The indicator module is 

accessed by removing the front face and flange of the reel. The sensitivity switch includes an off 

position. The frame is made of coated tubular steel. A molded plastic probe carrier is attached to the 

frame. A separate tape guide is clipped to the frame. This guide is placed on the well casing when used. 

A hole in the tape guide accepts the front leg of the frame; therefore, it also functions as a casing hanger. 

According to the manufacturer, a power reel is available for the longer tapes. 

The Waterline Model 500 Engineering Scale (Waterline Envirotech Ltd, 2007) is shown in 

figure 7. The probe body is two sections of stainless steel round tube or round rod separated by hard, 

dark-gray plastic that appears to be internal-sealing heat-shrink tubing. The electric tape activates when 

the water level covers the insulator and contacts the upper section, completing the electric circuit. A 

feature unique to this tested tape is the segmented weight assembly for this probe, with four alternating 

sections of 0.5-in. outside-diameter rubber hose and stainless-steel rod. The weight sections can be 

added or removed from the probe. None, some, or all sections can be used as needed. The Waterline 
6

“tape” has the same construction and appearance as the previously described Geotech “tape.” The reel is 

the largest of the tested reels because it holds the longest tape tested—500 ft. The indicator module 

includes a rotary switch with “off,” “test,” “LED,” and “buzz” positions. The module is accessed by 

unscrewing the center brake knob, removing four screws, and lifting away the front-center cover plate—

not the front flange—of the reel. 

Tape Operation Observations 

An experienced groundwater technician used each tape in the field and made general 

observations on applicability to various types of wells and on the braking of the reels. None of the 

electric tapes were usable in the first of the municipal wells visited because the design of the well casing 

and the angle of the access pipe did not allow clearance for any of the probes to pass through to the 

water surface. The design of the well casing and access port of the second municipal well visited would 

only allow the smallest diameter probe (the Durham Geo probe) to pass. A 4-in.-diameter monitoring 

well was also visited, and a measurement was taken using each of the tapes. The open design of the well 

allowed all of the tape probes to enter and measurements were obtained without difficulty. During field 

use, none of the reel brakes could apply the light, steady resistance needed if the reel is placed on the 

ground and the tape is pulled off in arm-length surges when lowering down a well. The Geotech had the 

steadiest light braking, but was difficult to adjust for proper operation. All the other brakes either had 

too much braking variation as the reel turned, or changed setting as the tape was pulled off the reel. 

Accuracy Test Procedures

Two accuracy tests were conducted on the electric tapes: a tape-length test that measured the 

tape accuracy at each 100-ft graduation marking against a reference tape, and a probe-activation test that 

measured the zero offset and displacement volume of the probe. Differences with the reference are 

computed to reflect whether the tape is long (positive difference) or short (negative difference) relative 

to the reference tape. Short groundwater tapes will measure the groundwater level deeper than the actual 

water level because more tape will need to be played out to reach the water surface. Similarly, a long 

groundwater tape will measure the groundwater level shallower than the actual water level because less 

tape will need to be played out to reach the water surface. 

Tape Length 

The procedure for calibrating the tape length described here is based on National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) methods (NIST, 1986). The tape length is checked by comparing the 

electric tape with a NIST-traceable calibrated-steel reference tape. The reference-tape calibration was 

performed by Lockheed Martin-Stennis Integrated Metrology Center, and the total error of the tape over 

the 100-ft test section is 0.0009 ft for a 10-lb tension. The procedure used a two-piece apparatus. The 

apparatus, with an anchor and a tensioner, was designed and built by the USGS Hydrologic 

Instrumentation Facility (HIF) to accurately compare two tapes side by side. The anchor (fig. 8) is used 

with a machinist’s square to accurately align the graduations of the two tapes. The tensioner (fig. 9) is 

used to apply and measure the tensile force, or tension, to each tape and to measure the length difference 

of the test section between the electric tape and the reference tape over a 100-ft segment. The tensioner 

has a pair of precision digital scales manufactured by CCI Scale Company, Inc., model number HS-30, 

with a resolution and accuracy of ±0.02 lb to measure the tensile force and a Vernier scale with a 
7

resolution of 0.0005 ft to measure the length difference. The tensioner has a chain for coarse adjustment 

of tension and an acme screw for fine adjustment. 

The steps used to measure the difference in length between the electric tape and the steel 

reference tape are: 

1. The anchor (fig. 8) and the tensioner (fig. 9) are placed approximately 100 ft apart on a flat 

concrete floor and weights are placed on the anchor and tensioner to hold them in place. 

2. The tapes are stretched out and laid flat, side by side, from the anchor to the tensioner with the 

graduations facing up. The tapes are oriented so that the reel is near the anchor and the probe (or 

zero end) of the tape is near the tensioner. 

3. The electric tape and the steel reference tape are clamped in the anchor (fig. 8) with the 100-ft 

mark of the electric tape aligned with the 101-ft mark of the steel reference tape. The tapes are 

aligned using the edge of the graduation mark closer to the reel and farther away from the probe 

or zero end of the tape. 

4. The electric tape is clamped to a scale in the tensioner (fig. 9) after the first available mark from 

the probe toward the reel (normally the 2-ft mark) is aligned over the Vernier scale. After the 

first test section, the 100-ft mark that was aligned in the anchor in the previous section is aligned 

over the Vernier scale. 

5. The steel reference tape is positioned with the 1-ft mark over the Vernier scale and clamped to a 

scale in the tensioner next to the electric tape. 

6. An initial tension of approximately 15 lbs is applied to each tape by using the chain for coarse 

adjustment and the acme screw for fine adjustment. 

7. The tapes are plucked with a vertical motion (just like plucking a chalk line) a few times to get 

the tapes to settle in to parallel, straight lines. 

8. The tension in the steel reference tape is reduced to the reference tension of the tape (10 lbs) that 

yields the calibrated length of the tape. 

9. The tension in the electric tape is reduced to the electric tape “in-use” tension. The in-use tension 

is the approximate average tension that the 100-ft test section would be subjected to during a 

water-level measurement in a well. This tension is defined here as equal to the weight of the 

probe plus the weight of the tape below the midpoint of the 100-ft section being tested. 

10. The alignment of the tapes at the anchor end is checked using a magnifier and a machinist’s 

square; adjustments are made, if needed. As in step 3, the edge of each gradation mark closer to 

the reel is used as the actual measuring point on each tape. 

11. At the tensioner end (fig. 9), the difference between the foot marks of the electric tape and the 

steel reference tape nearest to the tensioner clamp is measured using the Vernier scale. As in 

step 3, the edge of each gradation mark closer to the reel is used as the actual measuring point on 

each tape. Because the probe occupies part of the first 100 ft of the electric tape, less than 100 ft 

of tape (usually 98 ft) is compared to the reference tape for the first measured tape segment. 

12. The positions of the reference tape and electric tape are switched in the apparatus and the 

segment is measured again using steps 3 through 11. 

13. Steps 3 through 12 are repeated until four measurements (two measurements in each of two 

positions) are made over the segment. 

14. The electric tape is moved to align the next higher 100-ft marking to the steel reference tape’s 

101-ft marking and steps 3 through 13 are repeated until the entire length or 300 ft of the electric 

tape has been compared to the steel reference tape. 
8

The four measurements made for a particular segment are averaged to determine the accuracy of that 

segment of tape. The scatter (variability) in the measurements gives an indication of the repeatability 

(precision) of the measurements. 

Probe Activation and Volume Displacement 

The probe-activation and volume-displacement tests measure the activation accuracy of the 

probe and the displacement volume of the probe in water when activated. All electric-tape probes are 

built with a contact that completes the electrical circuit located 1 ft below the 1-ft tape mark. However, 

surface tension and specific conductance of the water, and probe materials and shape, can affect the 

point at which the electrical circuit is completed. This can result in the probe activating either higher or 

lower than the true zero location. The activation accuracy (or zero offset) is the difference between the 

water level at activation relative to the 1-ft mark on the tape and a measured 1-ft distance by use of a 

calibrated hook gage. The probe displacement volume is the volume of water displaced by the probe 

when the probe is lowered into the water to its activation point. It can be used to calculate the waterlevel rise in a well due to the probe during a measurement, which can be an issue in small diameter 

wells.

The apparatus for the probe-activation test was designed and built by HIF and is shown in 

figure 9. The apparatus has three vertically adjustable slide assemblies (fig. 10)—the middle slide holds 

the tape, and the two side slides hold hook gages that are used to measure the activation accuracy and 

the displacement volume (inset in middle photo, fig. 10). The flat measurement surface of the hook-gage 

slide assembly (right photo, fig. 10) is 1 ft above the upturned points of the hook gage. 

The steps to measure the activation accuracy and displacement volume are: 

1. The test cup with a known radius is filled with water of a known specific conductance and set in 

the test apparatus. 

2. An electric tape is attached to the middle vertically adjustable slide so that the 1-ft tape mark is 

flush with the top of the flat measurement surface. The tape slide is positioned and locked so that 

the probe is just above the water in the cup. 

3. The hook gages are brought up until the hooks begin to dimple the water surface and are locked 

in position. 

4. The electric tape is lowered into the test cup until the tape activates and the tape slide is locked 

in position. The resulting water level is the activation level. 

5. One hook gage is raised to the new water level, the activation level, and locked in position. 

6. The distance between the tape slide measurement surface (at the 1-ft mark on the tape) and the 

measurement surface of the hook gage set to the activation level is carefully measured with a 

dial caliper having a resolution of 0.001 in (fig. 10). This is the probe-activation accuracy (or the 

electric-tape zero offset). 

7. The distance between the two hook gages’ measurement surfaces—one at the undisturbed water 

level and the other at the activation water level—is carefully measured with a dial caliper. This 

measurement is the increase in water level (h) due to the probe displacing water and is used with 

the cup surface area (Area = π * radius2) to calculate the volume of water displaced by the probe 

(Volume = Area * h). 

For each known specific conductance, the measurement was repeated five times for each tape and 

averaged. Water with four different specific conductances was used: deionized water; 50; 1,000; and 
9

10,000 μS/cm. Except for the very low specific conductance of the deionized water (<5 μS/cm), test 

solutions were made using deionized water and conductance standards. Prior to each test, a calibrated 

specific conductance meter was used to check the test solution. If the specific conductance was higher 

than specified, deionized water was carefully added to bring the test solution to the proper specific 

conductance value. 

During preliminary testing, adjustments to the sensitivity setting of particular tapes substantially 

changed the activation height. In order to obtain a consistent test, all tapes were tested at maximum 

sensitivity. 

Accuracy Test Results

The following sections describe the results of the tape-length, probe-activation, and volumedisplacement tests. Graphs and tables giving simple statistics are included and are used to compare the 

results between each set of tapes and among all tapes. All of the length tests were conducted at the HIF 

Hydraulics Laboratory on a large, dry, flat area of concrete floor. The average temperature was 28.7 °C. 

The maximum and minimum temperatures during testing were 29.6 °C and 27.7 °C, respectively, 

extending over several days. Therefore, the maximum possible temperature difference during calibration 

was 1.9 °C. The steel-tape coefficient of expansion is 0.0000116 ft per degree Celsius. This means the 

maximum possible length change over a 100-ft section was 0.0022 ft. Given that the tapes were allowed 

to equalize to the ambient temperature over several hours, the actual temperature difference between the 

tapes was negligible and no temperature correction was performed on the data. 

Tape Length 

The measured differences between an electric tape and the steel reference tape were summed to 

give the cumulative difference (error) at 100-ft, 200-ft, and 300-ft tape markings. The measured 

difference is the average of four repeated measurements, and are positive when the electric tape is 

longer than the steel reference tape (which would measure a shallower water level) and are negative 

when the electric tape is shorter than the steel reference tape (which would measure a deeper water 

level). Figure 11 shows the cumulated measured differences for each electric tape. The Geotech tapes 

were 100 ft long and had only one comparison measurement per tape. The Waterline 500 tapes’ in-use 

tension did not include the weight assembly sections and only 300 ft of the 500-ft tapes were measured. 

Most (14 out of 18) of the electric tapes had measured differences that were negative (shorter 

than the reference tape), meaning that most of the electric tapes would measure a water level deeper 

than the actual level. Two of the Solinst tapes had measured accuracies of less than 0.01 ft over their 

entire 300-ft length. The third Solinst tape had a positive measured difference (longer than the reference 

tape) over each 100-ft tape segment. During testing, it was observed that Solinst tapes stretched the most 

out of all the tapes tested. Solinst tapes are marked to be accurate while stretched under well 

measurement tensions. None of the other tapes had an unadjusted accuracy in any of the segments, or 

cumulatively, of ≤0.01 ft.

Table 3 contains the average, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum normalized 

differences compiled for each model, using the replicated measurements from the length-accuracy test 

data. The differences between the electric tape and the steel tape were normalized to give a difference 

per 100 ft by dividing the difference between the electric tape and the steel reference tape by the actual 

test section length in feet, and multiplying the result by 100. The Waterline 500 tapes had the largest 

average difference (-0.0488 ft), but had less variability (standard deviation) from tape to tape (0.0028 ft)

than all but one model. Although the Durham Geo tapes had the smallest average difference 
10

(-0.0001 ft), they also had the largest variability from tape to tape (0.0226 ft). The Geotech tapes had the 

least variability from tape to tape (0.0011 ft), but also had a large average difference (-0.0397 ft). 

The electric-tape models using the same, or similar, steel-core type tapes (In-Situ Rugged Tape, 

Geotech, Heron dipper-T, and Waterline 500) were expected to have a similar range of differences and 

variability between the tapes. The average difference for these models ranged from -0.0001 to -0.0488 ft 

and the standard deviations ranged from 0.0011 to 0.0047 ft; these results may indicate either lot-to-lot 

variability or differences in acceptance testing by the manufacturers of the tapes used in these models. 

The Heron and In-Situ models tested appear to be the same, except for labeling differences, and have 

similar statistics and length differences. 

Table 3. Measurement statistics for the normalized difference between the electric tape and the steel reference 

tape for measured 100-foot (ft) tape segments. The difference excludes any contribution from the probe. 

Model Maximum

(ft)

Average

(ft)

Standard deviation

(ft)

Minimum

(ft)

Durham Geo 0.0376 -0.0001 0.0229 -0.0209

Geotech -0.0383 -0.0397 0.0011 -0.0405

Heron -0.0203 -0.0263 0.0033 -0.0310

In-Situ -0.0218 -0.0299 0.0047 -0.0369

Solinst 0.0365 0.0065 0.0136 -0.0048

Waterline -0.0453 -0.0488 0.0028 -0.0528

Probe Activation and Volume Displacement 

There are two sets of measurements from the probe-activation test; the activation accuracy (or 

zero offset), and the probe-displacement volume. None of the electric tapes activated reliably or 

consistently at very low (less than 5 μS/cm) specific conductance because the tapes rely on water 

conductivity to operate. Therefore, no results are presented for the very low specific conductance of the 

deionized water. 

The measured probe zero offset is plotted in figure 12. The zero offset for a tape is the average 

of five repeated measurements. A positive offset means that the electric tape activates before the zero 

end of the tape meets the water and increases the length of the tape and causes a shallower than actual 

measurement. A negative offset means that the electric tape activates after the zero end of the tape meets 

the water and decreases the effective length of the tape and causes a deeper than actual measurement. 

The Durham Geo probe was impractical to use in 10,000 μS/cm water when it was set to 

maximum sensitivity; no repeatable measurement could be obtained. Reducing the sensitivity improved 

operation for the 10,000-μS/cm water, but also changed the zero offset from -0.036 to 0.025 ft, 

depending on the sensitivity setting. Therefore, results are shown only for the 50- and 1,000-μS/cm 

solutions for this probe. 

The Geotech probe had the smallest average zero offsets, from -0.0023 to -0.0040 ft, and the 

Solinst 101 had the largest zero offsets, from -0.0093 to -0.0139 (fig. 12). Both of these probes use a 

pointed contact pin between two holes in the probe body. The Geotech probe had a good, repeatable 

response to water contact due to the probe pin design. The probe did not cause substantial water-level 

rise (fig. 13). For the Solinst 101 probe, the water between the contact pin and the cross slot tended to 

wick up onto the contact pin before the actual water surface met the pin (fig. 14). Most probes, except 

for the Waterline 500, did not show any obvious trends with increasing specific conductance (fig. 12). 

The zero offset for the Waterline 500 probe tended to decrease with increasing specific conductance. 
11

This behavior is a result of interaction between the water and the sharp edge and flat “shelf” at the upper 

edge of the insulator between the two metal contacts (fig. 7). The Durham Geo probe had the largest 

variation from measurement to measurement because of the inconsistent interaction of water with the vshaped groove between the insulator and the probe body (fig. 2). Because the Heron dipper-T and 

In-Situ Rugged probes are the same design, they had similar zero offsets. For these probes, the water 

rising up the probe tends to “bend down” around the Teflon insulator and then “bend up” onto the metal 

probe body (figs. 4 and 5). Table 4 lists by model the average, standard deviation, maximum, and 

minimum of the replicated measurements for the zero offsets. 

The results of the probe-displacement volume measurement are shown in figure 15. For the 

Waterline probe, the displacement is that of the probe only; the weight assembly is not attached. The 

Waterline weight displaces approximately 0.63 cubic inch (in3) for each rubber hose and stainless-steel 

rod section. This volume is dependent on how far the pieces are pushed together. 

Changes in specific conductance did not greatly affect the volume displaced by the probes. The 

Geotech probe had the smallest (0.0192 to 0.0346 in3) and the Solinst had the largest (0.5110 to 

0.6639 in3) displacement volumes. Because the Heron dipper-T and In-Situ Rugged probes are the same 

design, they displaced similar amounts of water from 0.1578 to 0.2040 in3. The Durham Geo probes 

displaced from 0.1260 to 0.1655 in3 and the Waterline 500, without the weight sections, displaced from 

0.2752 to 0.3156 in3. Adding weight sections to the Waterline probe increased the displacement by 

approximately 0.63 in3per section and can vary depending on how far the sections are pushed together. 

Table 5 lists the average displacement volume measured for each tape model in water of three different 

specific conductance values. The average value for the measurements over all the water samples is also 

listed in the table. 

Table 6 shows the calculated water-level rise in pipes with inside diameters ranging from 0.82 to 

6.07 in., equivalent to schedule 40 pipe diameters ranging from 3/4 to 6 in. The water rise represents the 

average probe displacement for the three specific conductance values. Values for the Waterline tape are 

shown with and without all weight sections attached. These data are also plotted with trend lines in 

figure 16. 
12

Table 4. Measurement statistics for probe zero offset test in feet. 

[Probes were set to maximum sensitivity. Zero offset is positive for probes that activate lower and is negative for probes that activate higher than the zero 

end of the tape; ft, feet; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; --, measurements at 10,000 μS/cm were not repeatable] 

Model Maximum 

(ft)

Average 

(ft)

Standard deviation (ft) Minimum 

(ft)

Specific conductance 50 μS/cm

Durham Geo -0.0016 -0.0035 0.0019 -0.0055

Geotech -0.0023 -0.0026 0.0007 -0.030

Heron 0.0061 0.0040 0.0011 0.0010

In-Situ 0.0084 0.0065 0.0021 0.0046

Solinst -0.0093 -0.0103 0.0013 -0.0123

Waterline 0.0104 0.0075 0.0022 0.0038

Specific conductance 1,000 μS/cm

Durham Geo -0.0020 -0.0079 0.0047 -0.0121

Geotech -0.0024 -0.0030 0.0006 -0.0034

Heron 0.0057 0.0042 0.0026 0.0023

In-Situ 0.0089 0.0071 0.0022 0.0047

Solinst -0.0107 -0.0119 0.0013 -0.0128

Waterline 0.0078 0.0043 0.0029 0.0003

Specific conductance 10,000 μS/cm

Durham Geo1 -- -- -- --

Geotech -0.0024 -0.0032 0.0007 -0.0040

Heron 0.0058 0.0040 0.0010 0.0017

In-Situ 0.0082 0.0055 0.0010 0.0038

Solinst -0.0110 -0.0129 0.0013 -0.0139

Waterline 0.0043 0.0015 0.0071 0.0029

1Durham Geo probe-activation measurements at 10,000 μS/cm were not repeatable. 

Table 5. Average probe-displacement volumes for six electric-tape models for three water samples 

of different specific conductance. 

[μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; --, measurements at 10,000 μS/cm were not repeatable] 

Model Probe displacement volume in cubic inches

50 μS/cm 1,000 μS/cm 10,000 μS/cm All samples

Durham Geo1 0.1485 0.1485 -- 0.1485

Geotech 0.0263 0.0237 0.0227 0.0242

Heron 0.1866 0.1777 0.1796 0.1813

In-Situ 0.1860 0.1854 0.1668 0.1794

Solinst 0.6369 0.6318 0.5421 0.6036

Waterline without weight 0.3130 0.2912 0.2874 0.2972

Waterline with weight 2.8330 2.8112 2.8074 2.8172

1Durham Geo probe-activation measurements at 10,000 μS/cm were not repeatable. 
13

Table 6. Calculated well water-level rise based on averaged probe-displacement volumes for six electric-tape 

models for averaged water sample specific conductance.

[Diameters (dia) shown are the nominal inside diameter for 3⁄4-in., 1-in., 2-in., 4-in., and 6-in. schedule 40 pipe] 

Model Well water level rise in feet

0.82-in. dia 1.05-in. dia 2.07-in. dia 4.03-in. dia 6.07-in. dia

Durham Geo 0.0209 0.0129 0.0033 0.0009 0.0004

Geotech 0.0038 0.0023 0.0006 0.0002 0.0001

Heron 0.0280 0.0173 0.0045 0.0012 0.0005

In-Situ 0.0280 0.0173 0.0045 0.0012 0.0005

Solinst 0.0944 0.0583 0.0150 0.0040 0.0017

Waterline without weight 0.0462 0.0285 0.0073 0.0019 0.0009

Waterline with weight 0.4400 0.2715 0.0699 0.0184 0.0081

Electric Tape Accuracy

The overall electric-tape accuracy is the sum of the activation accuracy (or zero offset) and the 

tape-length accuracy. Table 7 lists the model average, maximum, and minimum values for the zero 

offset and the tape-length accuracy. For each tape, the zero offsets measured for water samples of three 

conductance levels were averaged to give a single value. Similarly, the differences with the steel 

reference tape for each 100-ft segment were averaged to give a single value for difference per 100 ft for 

each tape. The model average is the average of the tapes of the same model. The model maximum and 

minimum are the measured values for the unit of that model with either the maximum or minimum 

value. 

Figures 17 and 18, respectively, show the average, maximum, and minimum values for the tapelength accuracy, and the average, maximum, and minimum values for the zero offset plotted, for each of 

the models tested. The probe zero offset is significantly more accurate than the tape-length accuracy per 

100-ft segment. The values plotted for the Heron dipper-T and the In-Situ Rugged Tape are similar in 

range and average for both tape-length accuracy and zero offset. The zero offset for most of the probes 

are within ±0.01-ft accuracy. The cumulative average differences between the particular tape model and 

reference measurements are plotted with the accuracy of ±0.01 ft in figure 19. The ±0.01-ft accuracy 

limit is actually plotted at ±0.0144 ft to account for rounding errors and the limitations imposed by using 

only two significant figures. Mathematically, 0.0144 ft will round down to 0.01 ft while 0.0145 ft will 

round up to 0.02 ft. Most of the models are not within ±0.01-ft accuracy and most models tend to have 

short effective lengths; short tapes will measure water levels as deeper than the actual water levels. 

Based on these tests, the electric-tape models do not have an accuracy of ±0.01 ft. The tapes tested 

should give a measurement that is generally accurate ±0.05 ft per 100 ft without additional calibration. 

To meet the USGS accuracy suggestion of ±0.01 ft, the electric-tape models tested would need to be 

individually calibrated, and a correction factor or table devised and used, as described by Cunningham 

and Schalk (2011). If highly accurate measurements are needed, then the electric-tape probeactivation/zero offset should also be checked and corrected for using a sample of water drawn from the 

well being measured. 
14

Table 7. Model average, maximum, and minimum values measured for zero offset and for the tape-length 

accuracy. Three tapes were tested for each model. Probe offset are average values for tests in water of 50; 1,000; 

and 10,000 microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm), and tape-length accuracy are average values for three 100-ft 

tape segments. 

Probe zero offset in feet Tape-length accuracy in feet

Model Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum Minimum

Durham Geo -0.0057 -0.0018 -0.0088 -0.0001 0.0376 -0.0209

Geotech -0.0029 -0.0024 -0.0035 -0.0397 -0.0383 -0.0405

Heron 0.0041 0.0058 0.0017 -0.0263 -0.0203 -0.0310

In-Situ 0.0064 0.0085 0.0044 -0.0299 -0.0218 -0.0369

Solinst -0.0117 -0.0103 -0.0130 0.0065 0.0365 -0.0048

Waterline 0.0044 0.0075 0.0002 -0.0488 -0.0453 -0.0528

Summary

The sum of the tape-graduation differences from the standard and the probe-activation (or zero 

offset) difference from the actual water level gave the overall difference between the tape indication and 

the true water level, and the overall accuracy of the tape. None of the electric-tape models had all 

sample tapes meet the ±0.01-ft USGS accuracy suggestion during the tape-length testing. Most of the 

probes by themselves, however, did meet ±0.01-ft accuracy. Any of the tapes in the study should give a 

measurement that is accurate to roughly ±0.05 ft per 100 ft without individual calibration. However, if 

calibrated against an in-calibration steel tape and used with the calibration correction factor or table, 

most of the tapes would meet ±0.01-ft accuracy. A few of the tapes would also require a probe zero 

offset calibration and correction in addition to the tape correction in order to meet ±0.01-ft accuracy. If

the specific conductance of the well water is near zero, none of the electric tapes will work, as they all 

depend on conductive water to complete the electrical circuit. If the specific conductance is near or 

greater than 10,000 μS/cm, the electric tape probe should be checked to ensure that it will operate 

properly with water from that well. 

The visually identical “tapes” used in the Geotech, Heron, In-Situ, and Waterline electric tapes 

all measured shorter than the steel reference tape, outside the limits of ±0.01-ft accuracy. These tapes 

were, however, consistent along the length of each tape and usually consistent between the different 

units in the test from each manufacturer. Two Solinst tapes met the USGS accuracy statement over their 

full length. Probes-activation tests measured an overall zero offset range of +/-0.014 ft in test solutions 

of 50; 1,000; and 10,000 μS/cm for the models tested. One of the tapes, the Durham Geo, experienced 

issues in very high conductivity water (10,000 μS/cm) and could not accurately measure water level at 

that conductivity. 

Any of the electric tapes can be checked against a calibrated steel tape, the variation from the 

steel tape noted, and a correction factor or table can be devised. The greater accuracy desired, the more 

attention that must be paid to calibration conditions, such as tape tensions, temperatures, and 

smoothness of the supporting surface. Overall, most of the tapes were shorter than their marked length. 

As a result, most of the tapes, if uncorrected, would measure a deeper than actual well water level.
15

References Cited

Cunningham, W.L., and Schalk, C.W., comps., 2011, Groundwater technical procedures of the U.S. 

Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 1, chap. A1, 151 p. 

Durham Geo-Enterprises, Inc. [2009], Water level indicators: Durham Geo-Enterprises, Inc. Web 

page, accessed October 19, 2011, at http://durhamgeo.com/Ground-Water/water-level-indicator.html.

Freeman, L.A., Carpenter, M.C., Rosenberry, D.O., Rousseau, J.P., Unger, R. and McLean, J.S., 2004, 

Use of submersible pressure transducers in water-resources investigations: U.S. Geological Survey: 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 8, chap. A3, 52 p. Geotech Environmental 

Equipment, Inc. [2008], Water Level Meters: Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc. Web page, 

accessed October 19, 2011, at http://www.geotechenv.com/water_level_meters.html.

Heron Instruments Groundwater Monitoring Inc [2011], Dipper-t Water Level Meter: Heron 

Instruments Groundwater Monitoring Inc Web page, accessed October 19, 2011, at 

http://www.heroninstruments.com/dipper-t-water-level-meter.aspx.

In-Situ Inc. [2011], Rugged Water Level Tape 200: In-Situ Inc. Web page, accessed August 15, 2012, at 

http://www.in-situ.com/products/water-level/level-tapes/level-tape-200. 

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standard Operating Procedure Number 12: 

Recommended Standard Operations Procedure for Calibration of Steel Tapes, Tape-to-Tape Method, 

1986. 

Solinst Canada Ltd. [2011], Model 101 Water Level Meters: Solinst Canada Ltd. Web page, accessed 

October 19, 2011, at http://www.solinst.com/Prod/101/101d3.html.

Waterline Envirotech Ltd [2007], Products: Waterline Envirotech Ltd Web page, accessed on 

October 17, 2012, at http://waterlineusa.com/products.htm.
16

Figure 1. Photos of the electric tapes tested: (Left to right) Durham Geo Water Level Indicator, Geotech ET 

Water Level Meter, Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter, In-Situ Rugged Water Level Tape 200, Solinst 

Model 101 P2 Water Level Meter, and Waterline Model 500 Engineering Scale.
17

Figure 2. Durham Geo Water Level Indicator: Photo of front of electric tape 

in upper left, photo of back of electric tape in upper right, closeup of probe in 

middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo. 
18

Figure 3. Geotech ET Water Level Meter: Photo of front of electric tape in 

upper left, photo of back of electric tape in upper right, closeup of probe in 

middle photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo. 
19

Figure 4. Heron dipper-T Water Level Meter: Photo of front of electric tape in 

upper left, photo of back of electric tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle 

photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo. 
20

Figure 5. In-Situ Rugged Water Level Tape 200: Photo of front of electric tape in 

upper left, photo of back of electric tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle 

photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo. 
21

Figure 6. Solinst Model 101 P2 Water Level Meter: Photo of front of electric tape 

in upper left, photo of back of electric tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle 

photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo. 
22

Figure 7. Waterline Model 500 Engineering Scale: Photo of front of electric tape 

in upper left, photo of back of electric tape in upper right, closeup of probe in middle 

photo, and closeup of tape in bottom photo. 
23

Figure 8. The anchor part of the tape length test apparatus. Upper photo: Two steel tapes in the 

apparatus. Lower left photo: aligning tape graduations in the apparatus. Lower right photo: Closeup 

of two tapes in the apparatus, and the blade of the machinist’s square used to align them. 
24

Figure 9. The tensioner part of the tape-length test apparatus. Upper photo: Two steel tapes in 

the apparatus attached to scales. Lower left photo: Tape graduations being compared using a 

magnifying glass and the Vernier scale. Lower right photo: Closeup of a steel tape (upper) and an 

electric tape (lower) on the Vernier scale. 
25

 

Figure 10. Three photos of probe-activation test apparatus. Left photo shows the apparatus with the 

water cup removed. Middle photo shows the apparatus with a tape installed and an inset photo of the 

hook gages at the water surface. Right photo shows measurement being made between two of the 

slide-assembly reference surfaces. 
26

Figure 11. Cumulative error between 100-ft electric-tape segment and a steel reference tape over an electric-tape 

length of 300 ft. Electric tapes tested at their in-use tension and steel reference tape at its reference tension 

(sn=serial number).

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE ERROR BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCE 

TAPE IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

In-Situ (sn 26330)

In-Situ (sn 26331)

In-Situ (sn 26332)

Solinst (sn 200806)

Solinst (sn 200808)

Solinst (sn 200793)

EXPLANATION

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE ERROR BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCE 

TAPE IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Geotech (sn 4184)

Geotech (sn 4185)

Geotech (sn 4189)

Heron (sn 26328)

Heron (sn 26327)

Heron (sn 26329)

EXPLANATION

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE ERROR BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCE 

TAPE IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Waterline (sn 14671)

Waterline (sn 14681)

Waterline (sn 00003)

Durham Geo (sn 29057)

Durham Geo (sn 29058)

Durham Geo (sn 29056)

EXPLANATION
27

Figure 12. Probe-activation zero offset in feet for water with various specific conductance values. Zero offset is 

positive for probes that activate lower and is negative for probes that activate higher than the zero end of the tape 

(sn=serial number). 

-0.018

-0.012

-0.006

0.000

0.006

0.012

10 100 1000 10000 100000

ZERO OFFSET IN FEET

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF WATER 

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER

In-Situ (sn 26330)

In-Situ (sn 26331)

In-Situ (sn 26332)

Solinst (sn 200806)

Solinst (sn 200793)

Solinst (sn 200808)

-0.018

-0.012

-0.006

0.000

0.006

0.012

10 100 1000 10000 100000

ZERO OFFSET IN FEET

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF WATER 

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER

Geotech (sn 4184)

Geotech (sn 4185)

Geotech (sn 4189)

Heron (sn 26328)

Heron (sn 26329)

Heron (sn 26327)

-0.018

-0.012

-0.006

0.000

0.006

0.012

10 100 1000 10000 100000

ZERO OFFSET IN FEET

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF WATER 

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER

Waterline (sn 14671)

Waterline (sn 14681)

Waterline (sn 00003)

Durham Geo (sn 29057)

Durham Geo (sn 29056)

Durham Geo (sn 29058)
28

 

Figure 13. Closeup photos of the Geotech contact pin just at and after water contact. Note the small 

change in water height when the pin makes contact. 

 

 

Figure 14. Closeup photos of the Solinst contact pin just before and just after water contact. Note the 

large change in water height when the pin makes contact.
29

Figure 15. The volume of water, in cubic inches, displaced by each probe when lowered to its activation 

point in water solutions with various specific conductance values (sn=serial number). 

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

10 100 1000 10000 100000

DISPLACED VOLUME

IN CUBIC INCHES

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF WATER 

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER

In-Situ (sn 26330)

In-Situ (sn 26331)

In-Situ (sn 26332)

Solinst (sn 200806)

Solinst (sn 200793)

Solinst (sn 200808)

EXPLANATION

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

10 100 1000 10000 100000

DISPLACED VOLUME 

IN CUBIC INCHES

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF WATER 

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER

Geotech (sn 4184)

Geotech (sn 4185)

Geotech (sn 4189)

Heron (sn 26328)

Heron (sn 26329)

Heron (sn 26327)

EXPLANATION

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

10 100 1000 10000 100000

DISPLACED VOLUME 

IN CUBIC INCHES

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF WATER 

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER

Waterline (sn 14671)

Waterline (sn 14681)

Waterline (sn 00003)

Durham Geo (sn 29057)

Durham Geo (sn 29056)

Durham Geo (sn 29058)

EXPLANATION
30

Figure 16. Well water-level rise with trend lines based on averaged probe-displacement volumes for 

six electric-tape models for averaged water sample specific conductance. 

Figure 17. Model average, maximum, and minimum values for the tape-length accuracy for six different 

models of electric groundwater tape. 

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

WELL WATER LEVEL RISE IN FEET

WELL DIAMETER IN INCHES

Durham Geo

GeoTech

Heron Dipper-T

In-Situ Rugged

Solinst 101

Waterline without weights

Waterline with weights

EXPLANATION

-0.06

-0.05

-0.04

-0.03

-0.02

-0.01

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

DIFFERENCE PER 100-FT SEGMENT 

IN FEET

Group Maximum

Group Average

Group Minimum

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION
31

Figure 18. Model average, maximum, and minimum values for the zero offset for six different models of 

electric groundwater tape. 

-0.06

-0.04

-0.02

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

PROBE, ZERO OFFSET IN FEET 

Group Maximum

Group Average

Group Minimum

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION
32

 

 

Figure 19. Cumulative average differences between electric-tape models and reference measurements 

over an electric-tape length of 300 ft that include checks for tape-length accuracy and for probe zero offset. 

Three tapes per model are averaged. Electric tapes tested at its in-use tension. Error bars are the average 

difference for the tape with the maximum or minimum difference of the three model units tested. 

-0.20

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCES IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON 

ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

In-Situ

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION

-0.20

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCES IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON 

ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Solinst

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION

-0.20

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCES IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON 

ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Geotech

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION

-0.20

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCES IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON 

ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Heron

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION

-0.20

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCES IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON 

ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Waterline

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION

-0.20

-0.16

-0.12

-0.08

-0.04

0.00

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0 100 200 300 400

CUMULATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

ELECTRIC TAPE AND REFERENCES IN FEET

INDICATED DISTANCE ON 

ELECTRIC TAPE IN FEET

Durham Geo

0.01-ft Accuracy

EXPLANATION
ISSN 2331-1258 (online)

http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141236