Provincial Observation Well Network Review British Columbia
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Provincial Observation Well Network Review British Columbia Volume II of II APPENDICES A to K and O prepared for Water Stewardship Division BC Ministry of Environment Hy-Geo Consulting Hodge Hydrogeology Consulting Azar & Associates Victoria, British Columbia August 15, 2009 FILE NO. MOE-OWNR-2008 CWSEN09025 APPENDIX A. Vision Statement and Monitoring Objectives Vision Statement and Monitoring Objectives for British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment Groundwater Observation Well Network Vision: An effective observation well network that monitors the water level and groundwater chemistry of aquifers and basins to support management, protection and sustainability of our groundwater resource. Monitoring Objectives 1) Understand local and regional hydrogeological processes and characteristics including: a) Monitoring groundwater/surface water relationships, recharge and discharge mechanisms/rates/timing in lowland and upland areas and impact of drought and flooding on groundwater, b) Fundamental aquifer or basin characteristics (e.g. groundwater levels, temporal trends, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity and storativity values, water chemistry, etc.), c) Monitoring impact of short and long term effects of climate and climate change on groundwater levels. 2) Support effective use of the resource and minimize groundwater conflicts between users by: a) Helping to assess the impact of groundwater withdrawals in specific areas to determine if further ground water development is possible without adversely affecting sustainability of the resource, b) Helping to resolve water use conflicts, such as interference between wells and ground water withdrawal near fully allocated lakes and streams, c) Assessing the long-term and short-term effects of human-induced activities such as pumping and construction of drainage works on ground water levels, both locally and regionally. Appendix A p. 1 of 1 APPENDIX B. Project Deliverables APPENDIX B p. 1 of 3 APPENDIX B p. 2 of 3 APPENDIX B p. 3 of 3 APPENDIX C. Contact List Allard, R., Golder Associates, Kelowna Lepitre, M., WSD Andzans, P., City of Abbotsford Lyons. L., WSD Azar, J., Azar & Associates Mackie, D., SRK Consulting Inc., Ballek, C., WMAR Vancouver Bennett, K., WSD Magee, L., Vancouver Island Health Betcher, B.,Manitoba Water Authority Stewardship McKay, A., Laura Point WWD, Mayne Cannon, A,, EC, Vancouver Norlin, I., Interior Health Authority Carmichael, V., WSD Lee, C., WMAR Carriou, T., BC Groundwater Consulting Pupek, D., New Brunswick Department Carver, M., MOHL&S of Environment Cooper, M., Mayne Island Integrated Reed, H., Hugh Reed Consulting, Water Systems Society Vancouver Clark, J., Clark Drilling Rivard, C., GSC, Quebec City Dixon-Warren, A., TWP of Langley Rivera, A., GSC, Quebec City Doucette, R., Town of Osoyoos Rojem, M., Glenmore Irrigation District Drage, J., Nova Scotia Environment Ronneseth, K., WSD Earle, S., Vancouver Island University Rush, M., Hy-Geo Consulting Engelberts, J., City of Williams Lake Sexton, M., Vancouver Island Health Fishwick, D., MOHL&S Authority Fyfe, J., Fyfe’s Well Drilling Shaheen, N., Saskatchewan Watershed Gallo, M., EBA Engineering, Nanaimo Authority Garies, L., Town of Qualicum Beach Sigalet, E., Interior Health Authority Gilleland, R., Mt. Belcher ID, Saltspring Simpson, M., WSD Graham, G., EC, Canada, Vancouver Slade, D., Drillwell Enterprises, Duncan Graham, M., WMAR Squire, M., City of Parksville Hardy, R., WSD Staplin, S., WSD Harvey, J., Bennet Bay WWD, Mayne Suchy, M., Env. Canada, Vancouver Henderson, G., WSD Tamblyn, D., WSD Heslop, K., EPD Thompson, D., WMAR Hodge, W., Hodge Hydrogeology Wallace, S., Alberta Environment Ingimundson, B., Thurber Engineering, Wei, M., WSD Victoria White, T., WMAR Ivanov, O., WSD Wendling, G., GW Solutions, Nanaimo Kalwij, I., GW Solutions, Nanaimo Zimmerman, R., WMAR Kelly, J., WSD Zubel, M., Fraser Valley Health Lapcevic, P., WSD Authority Appendix C p. 1 of 1 Groundwater Observation Well Network Workshop 24 October 2008 Radisson Airport Hotel, Cambie Room Workshop Report As at: 25 November 2008 Contents: Workshop Purpose, Outcomes and Process Breakout Session Summaries Appendices: A. Participants List B. Breakout Groups C. Breakout Session (Raw) Feedback www.canopygroup.com John W. Azar 2630 Avebury Avenue, Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 3W2 Canopy Management Group Tel: (250) 5953407 Fax: (250) 5950305 www.canopygroup.com Email: [email protected] Appendix D Provincial Groundwater Observation Well Network Workshop Report 25 November 2008 This document is a summary of the material gathered at the 24 October 2008 groundwater observation well network workshop. The report was compiled from information presented on breakout session flip charts and comment sheets with some additional notes taken from participants’ oral comments. The report is not intended to be a verbatim record of discussions or a comprehensive set of recommendations. It is an overview document that will provide input to the broader network review and stimulate participants’ thinking and allow them to provide additional input to the review. Please provide your comments and additional input on the groundwater observation well network to Al Kohut via email at: [email protected] Workshop Purpose, Outcomes and Process On Friday October 24, 2008, 30 people gathered at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Richmond, BC to participate in a one-day workshop related to the review of the BC provincial groundwater observation well network. Ministry of Environment staff were joined by other participants representing the interests of federal, regional district and municipal governments, health authorities and the groundwater consulting sector. Purpose and Desired Outcomes The primary purpose of the workshop was to obtain input on the approach and criteria that should be used to: ! Plan and prioritize areas for ground water monitoring. The desired outcome was to develop a consensus on a general approach and strategy. ! Determine where observation wells should be located. The desired outcome was to develop a list of key criteria for placing observation wells. The workshop also provided the opportunity to identify current and potential issues related to network structure and operational management. Process To achieve the purpose, the workshop was designed around three breakout sessions where the following questions were discussed: John W. Azar 2630 Avebury Avenue, Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 3W2 Canopy Management Group Tel: (250) 5953407 Fax: (250) 5950305 www.canopygroup.com Email: [email protected] Groundwater Workshop Report 2 ! Breakout Session 1: Identify Groundwater Issues and the Need for Data/Information A solid knowledge of groundwater use and related issues is a prerequisite for determining the need for resource management data and information which is a prerequisite for identifying where—and in what numbers—observation wells are required. This session resulted in a comprehensive list of issues and data/information needs for a variety of user groups. ! Breakout Session 2: Identify Planning Criteria and Priorities Planning criteria were developed and priorized based on a sound knowledge of the need for data/information. ! Breakout Session 3: Discuss Processes and Strategies for Network Management and Expansion The effectiveness of the output from individual observation wells and the network as a whole to enable appropriate water management decisions is dependent upon the network management processes and infrastructure. Network management issues were identified so their impact on data/information integrity could be assessed as part of the larger network review project. As it is also quite likely that the funding available for new observations wells may be less than the need, strategies were identified that could be used to encourage and enable network expansion. Breakout Session Summaries The following is a summary of the input provided by workshop participants at each of the three breakout sessions. A detailed listing of the (raw) input from each session is included in Appendix C. ! Breakout Session 1: Groundwater Issues and the Need for Data/Information Questions Q? What are the groundwaterrelated data/information needs of each tier of the community (water user groups; local, provincial and federal governments, consultants and others) and what interest do they have for an adequate observation well network? Q? What are the elements that indicate the number of observation wells needed for specific aquifers and watersheds? Q? What related issues are worth noting? Responses A. Groundwaterrelated data/information needs The responses are summarized in Table 1 on the next page in rough priority order. The columns for User Groups include: Groundwater Workshop Report 3 ! Prime: residents, agriculture groups, water purveyors, light industry, fish hatcheries, landfill authorities, developers, major industry, etc. (and consultants acting on their behalf) ! Other: consultants (research), stewardship groups, university researchers, etc. Table 1: Groundwater issues and the need for data/information Elements User Groups Government Local Province Fed Prime Other Rgns Vic ! Characterizing the resource (incl. gw/sw " " " interactions) ! Baseline data for environmental assessment (EA) " " reviews (e.g., mines, transportation, ski resorts) ! Availability, sustainability and land " " " " " use/development decisions (quality and quantity) ! Trends and early warning on potential issues " " " " ! Conflict prevention and resolution (e.g., well " " interference)