What is the primary purpose of a piezometer?

The primary purpose of a piezometer is to provide water pressure readings at specific depths in the soil or in a groundwater system. Piezometers are essential tools in hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering because they help in understanding the behavior of groundwater, such as the pressure exerted by water in the soil. This information is crucial for various applications, including environmental assessments, groundwater resource management, and evaluating soil stability.

By measuring the water pressure at different depths, engineers and environmental scientists can gather vital data that informs construction projects, groundwater flow studies, and contamination assessments. This functionality makes piezometers fundamental in monitoring and managing water resources effectively.

In contrast, while others measure related parameters, they do not fulfill the specific role of providing water pressure readings at various soil depths, which is why they are not the correct options in this context.