P2014-01
Hydrogeology: Data Management and Characterization of Provincial
Groundwater Resources
Program:
Project Manager:
Project Leader:
Participants:
Environmental Geology
Brian Fisher
Gavin Kennedy
John Drage
Funding Partner(s): NSE
Project Area
Province wide
Rationale
Approximately half of Nova Scotians rely on groundwater for their water supply.
Groundwater is a valuable resource that is linked to human health, ecosystem integrity
and the Province’s sustainable prosperity. In order to manage and protect Nova Scotia’s
groundwater resources, however, we need to answer fundamental questions such as: How
much groundwater do we have? What is its quality?
Because the geology of Nova Scotia is complex, considerable study has to be made of
groundwater resources before sound recommendations can be made to existing and
potential groundwater users. A strong foundation of knowledge is therefore essential for
effective groundwater management.
Time Frame
•
On-going
Objectives:
•
•
•
•
•
To support provincial groundwater management initiatives
To compile, maintain and publish spatial databases of groundwater information;
To generate knowledge and mapping pertaining to groundwater resources, including
groundwater quality, groundwater quality, aquifer vulnerability and recharge,
groundwater use and availability;
To participate in groundwater research activities; and
To communicate project results/groundwater science to the government and clients.
Methodology:
•
•
•
Compile, organize and publish (in a variety of formats) provincial groundwater data,
and expand data collection activities where opportunities arise;
Conduct analyses of existing groundwater data to generate improved knowledge of
the province’s groundwater resources and to develop useful map products; and
Participate in groundwater research activities that contribute to the understanding and
management of groundwater resources in the province, mainly through the provision
of data and technical advice.
Previous Outputs:
•
Multiple - Refer to Annual Report of Activities
(http://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/data/pubs/13re01/13re01_Kennedy_Drage.pdf)
Annual Work Plan:
Groundwater Management
• Provide support towards the expansion of the Groundwater Observation Well
Network (on-going)
• Provide technical support as needed towards the water withdrawal program (ongoing)
• Provide technical support as needed towards EAC groundwater/stormwater
subdivision proposed project (on-going)
• Provide groundwater support to DNR- Wildlife Branch wetland monitoring proposed
program (on-going)
Groundwater Data Management and Access
• Improve efficiencies with respect to collection of groundwater data (on-going)
• Develop template for data submission (water level and pumping tests)(July – August)
• Perform updates/improvements to groundwater databases (on-going, additional
potential projects listed under Annex A)
• Perform updates/improvements to web mapping services (September)
Groundwater Research and Mapping
• Provide technical support to Parks Canada as needed towards the development of a
Sable Island environmental monitoring program (April – May)
• Provide support to Atlantic PATH arsenic in water wells research (attend meetings,
prepare publications, May 2014 Workshop)
• HRM – Complete opportunities and constraints mapping for use by HRM planners
(May - June)
• Provide support to Canada Water Network project on nitrate in bedrock aquifers in
agricultural areas of the Maritimes (attend project meeting on PEI in July 2014,
collaborate on field sites & research topics in NS)
•
•
•
Radon in indoor air – research, & outreach activities (partner with Dalhousie
University on proposal to investigate the association between lung cancer incidence
and radon risk potential in NS) (on-going)
Uranium in groundwater research – collaborate with NS Environment & Dalhousie
University to develop regulatory tools for assessing uranium leaching potential (ongoing)
NSWAP – continued technical support to Dalhousie and NSE on NSWAP project
(on-going)
Outreach
• Develop website content (on-going)
• Conduct seminars to inform consultants of data products and groundwater assessment
toolkit (September)
• Technical presentations
Planned Outputs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Report of Activities
Updates to interactive map/service
Publication of all spatial groundwater layers currently available on interactive map
(e.g. pumping tests, test holes, well logs etc.)
Delivery/publication of groundwater map layers tailored for use by HRM
Reports and/or published articles associated with collaborative projects
Report on 2014 Government Water Forum held in Truro on 21 March 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------
Human Resource Requirements:
Name
Brief Explanation
John Drage
Hydrogeologist for projects listed
above
Hydrogeologist for projects listed
above
Gavin Kennedy
Student
GIS Resources
See PIAP 2014-16
Time
Period
Apr - Mar
Time
(weeks)
20
Apr - Mar
20
4
(4)
Budget Requirements:
Item
Accommodation and food
Equipment
Water analyses
Professional Services
Accommodation and food
Uranium research grant to Dalhousie U.
Equipment
Forecast
$2,000
$500
$1,000
$1,000
$500
$1,000
Total
$6,000
Cost Centre
160045 – 631100
160045 – 763100
160045 – 651100
160045 – 651100
160045 – 631100
160045 – 865100
Annex A:
Potential data management/GIS projects:
1. Approach municipalities for the collection of GIS data pertaining to water
systems (distribution system mapping and source protection zones), and formalize
mechanism for receiving updates.
2. Locate historical water well records based on civic addresses and property online
searches
3. Collect and enter hard copy groundwater chemistry data from registered public
drinking water supplies where digital data is not available (at least one sample per
location). Start with discontinued registrations?
4. Approach federal facilities with regional distribution (post office, RCMP) for
chemistry data?
5. Publish groundwater chemistry atlas for surficial aquifers
6. Conduct analysis of historical baseflow records to investigate long-term trends