Groundswell Community Based Groundwater Monitoring Network
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4/8/2017 Groundswell Community Based Groundwater Monitoring Network By: Jenna Jones and Makayla Jamieson SR. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS, NSCC WATERFRONT CAMPUS Jenna Jones, Makayla Jamieson NSCC ENTG Students 401-17 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1H1 (778)-918-2824, (902)-483-4625 September 13, 2016 NSCC, Waterfront Campus 80 Mawiomi Place Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5 Faculty of the Environmental Engineering Program: Groundwater is a very sensitive part of the hydrologic cycle, particularly in Nova Scotia. Currently in Nova Scotia, information and analysis on ground water is remarkably limited. This information is vital when considering the population that is dependent on groundwater. Currently one program dedicated to the monitoring of groundwater is the Groundswell program, run by the Ecology Action Center. By partnering with the EAC to work on Groundswell, we will uncover more information on HRM’s groundwater. Groundswell is a community based groundwater monitoring network that enables the community to monitor groundwater levels from 8 different wells in the HRM. Data from these wells gets collected by community groups and volunteers, and is then processed. This data can be used to find trends, and used for industrial and domestic development plans. Currently the program has de-escalated; data is not being loaded or processed, wells are not being assessed, and the EAC lacks the man power for these tasks. Larissa Holman, freshwater project coordinator of the EAC has agreed to offer assistance in our study and contribution to the Groundswell program. We met to discuss the program, which involves bringing it back to life, enriching current information, performing well inspections, and adding more QAQC controls to the program. For the completion of our work in Groundswell, the wells have been visited and assessed, and data from the wells was downloaded for processing, and interpretation. We are excited to be a part of the Groundswell program, and uncover information about our groundwater resources. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jenna Jones or Makayla Jamieson at [email protected] and [email protected] . Sincerely, Jenna Jones, Makayla Jamieson; NSCC Environmental Engineering Students 1 Executive Summary The NSCC Senior Environmental Engineering Technology (ENTG) students, Jenna Jones, and Makayla Jamieson, partnered with the Ecology Action Center (EAC) to complete work in the groundwater level monitoring program, Groundswell. Groundswell monitors 8 Groundwater Observation wells located in middle-eastern Nova Scotia for the purpose of increasing knowledge on groundwater, as currently in Nova Scotia, there is limited data available on groundwater. Information on groundwater levels in Nova Scotia is extremely minute and this program has enabled communities access to this information To conduct research in Groundswell, the 8 well sites were visited, data was downloaded directly from the data loggers that remain in the wells themselves, a brief well assessment was conducted, and the data was later processed and interpreted. The research found that there is a long-term trend of groundwater levels being lowered over the past 5 years. Significantly, the summer of 2016 has seen the lowest groundwater levels on record with the Groundswell program. This is caused by the drought conditions experienced by the province during that summer. Climate change presents to us longer bouts of wet and dry spells and is something that will continue to happen in the province. By monitoring these trends Nova Scotia can make better decisions when it comes to land use and the use of groundwater. Recommendations for further work in Groundswell are as follows: - Improve QAQC - Add more monitoring wells to the Groundswell database - Have available and reliable transportation for well site visits - Learn and understand how to update applicable software, and maintain equipment The NSCC ENTG Program is now an integral part of the Ecology Action Centres Groundswell program. With this partnership students have the opportunity to obtain firsthand experience with groundwater monitoring in Nova Scotia. As the first students to take on the program we hope that future students will take the baton and continue this important research. 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Purpose............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 Background ....................................................................................................................... 5 2.0 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 6 Site Visit....................................................................................................................................... 6 Data Processing ........................................................................................................................... 6 3.0 Setting ....................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Geology ................................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Well Site Descriptions ........................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Well Site Measurements ..................................................................................................... 11 4.0 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Groundwater Elevations ..................................................................................................... 12 GS 101 Valley Gate/South Uniacke ....................................................................................... 12 GS 102 Fall River ................................................................................................................... 13 GS 103 Waverley ................................................................................................................... 14 GS 104 Beaver Bank .............................................................................................................. 15 GS 105 Glen Arbour .............................................................................................................. 16 GS 106 Milford ...................................................................................................................... 17 GS 107 Halifax ....................................................................................................................... 18 GS 108 New Ross................................................................................................................... 19 GS 109 Lahave ....................................................................................................................... 20 NSCC Woodside .................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 Groundwater Elevation Summary ...................................................................................... 20 4.3 Precipitation ........................................................................................................................ 21 Water Level Recovery ........................................................................................................... 22 5.0 Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 23 Software updates and Equipment Maintenance .................................................................. 23 Loggers .................................................................................................................................. 23 Transportation ...................................................................................................................... 23 3 6.0 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 24 References .................................................................................................................................... 25 4 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Purpose Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Students Jenna Jones and Makayla Jamieson have conducted this report to increase knowledge on groundwater resources in Nova Scotia. The study was completed as part of Applied Research Project II course requirements in the Environmental Engineering Technology Diploma Program at NSCC. Groundwater is a very sensitive part of the hydrologic cycle, particularly in Nova Scotia. Currently in Nova Scotia, information and analysis on ground water is limited. This information is vital when considering the large population that is dependent on groundwater. Currently one program dedicated to the monitoring of groundwater is the Groundswell program, run by the Ecology Action Center (EAC). We have partnered with the EAC to work on Groundswell as our Applied Research project. Through this