Canwell 2004Canwell 2004

Kelowna, April 24, 2004

Overview of groundwater information found on the Ministry of Water, Land and

Air Protection web site

ByKevin Ronneseth

Water, Air, Climate Change BranchMinistry of Water, Land and Air Protection

OutlineOutline• BC’s groundwater web site

• Water well data (and data entry)

• Groundwater reference library

• Observation Well and Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring networks

• Fact Sheets

• Aquifers and the Internet Mapping Application

BC’s Groundwater Web Site Over ViewBC’s Groundwater Web Site Over View

• Provincial database initiated in the 1960’s• Province started using the Web to display

groundwater information in the mid 1990’s• The key web address to note is:

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wat/gws/gwis.html• Today, Web strategy and e-government

are key service plan objectives of the Province’s mandate

Water Well DataWater Well Data

• Water well data input– Free software (well drilling data capture system) to

enter groundwater data into a database

• Water well data output– Using word search criteria to access water well data– Using maps to access water well data

Water Well Data InputWater Well Data Input

• The Well Drilling Data Capture System– designed to provide drillers with a database that is

compatible with the Province’s database,– developed with the cooperation and assistance of the

British Columbia Groundwater Association,– drillers are able to organize and maintain their own

water well data, print out water well records for customers and export data selected by the driller to the WELL database.

    

The Well The Well Drilling Drilling

Data Data Capture Capture SystemSystem

Number of Wells on FileNumber of Wells on File

• To date, over 80,000 wells entered in the Wells Data base

• ≈ 65,000 with a geographic location

• ≈ 1800 new wells drilled each year

How to Access the Water Well Data

Different types of word search criteria are used to access water well data

– Well Tag Number,

– BCGS Number,

– Geo Reference (e.g. Street, Legal),

– BCGS Geographic Grid,

The BCGS Map Grid is used to Identify the The BCGS Map Grid is used to Identify the Area of Interest in the ProvinceArea of Interest in the Province

Then further refine the search by identifying Then further refine the search by identifying the 1:20,000 map sheet (e.g. 82E.083)the 1:20,000 map sheet (e.g. 82E.083)

Other Types of Geo-referencing Include: Other Types of Geo-referencing Include: Street Names and Legal DescriptionsStreet Names and Legal Descriptions

Water Well Data OutputWater Well Data Output

Water well data can be printed out in the following formats:

– Summaries of well logs

– Detailed well logs

– Lithology of well logs

– Specialty outputs

Well Log SummaryWell Log Summary

Well Log LithologyWell Log Lithology

Detailed Well LogDetailed Well Log

Water Well Data Output by BCGS NumberWater Well Data Output by BCGS Number

Specialized output for Aquifer Classification StudiesSpecialized output for Aquifer Classification Studies

Specialized Lithology Output for Aquifer Specialized Lithology Output for Aquifer

Vulnerability StudiesVulnerability Studies

Water Well Data OutputWater Well Data OutputMapped BasedMapped Based

• Aquifer and water wells web site: http://maps.gov.bc.ca/apps/wlap_aquifer/

Aquifers and Water WellsAquifers and Water Wells

Detailed Well LogDetailed Well Log

• Groundwater Reference Library

Groundwater Reference LibraryGroundwater Reference Library

Example ReferencesExample References

• Code of Practice for Construction, Testing, Maintenance and Closure of Wells, BC

• Evaluating Long-Term Well Capacity for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

• Glossary of Hydrogeologic Terms

• Guide to using the Aquifer Classification Maps for the Protection and Management of Groundwater in BC

• Framework for a Hydrogeologic Study in support of an Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate under the Environmental Assessment Act and Regulations

• Unit Conversion Table

Groundwater Reference Library

• Groundwater Report NTS Filing System– for listing of Groundwater Reports on File with

the Water, Air and Climate Change Branch in Victoria.

• NTS.082, NTS.092, NTS.093, NTS.094 NTS.102, NTS.103, NTS.104 NTS Consultants Reports

Observation Well and Observation Well and Ambient Groundwater Quality Ambient Groundwater Quality

Monitoring NetworksMonitoring Networks

Observation Well and Ambient Groundwater Observation Well and Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring NetworksQuality Monitoring Networks

• Groundwater levels monitored by the Observation Well Network (established in 1961).

• Many Observation Wells also periodically (every few years) sampled for baseline water chemistry.

• Ambient groundwater quality monitored in developed, highly vulnerable aquifers by the Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network (initiated in 1986).

• Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (Water, Air, Climate Change Branch responsible for groundwater monitoring in BC).

Observation Well NetworkObservation Well Network

• Since 1960, 350 observation wells have been established. Today, there are 163 active observation wells in the Network; some Observation Wells have close to 50 years of record.

• Observation Wells classified into three categories:

– Monitoring groundwater levels in developed aquifers,

– Specific engineering and research projects, and

– Monitoring for forecasting and baseline data.

Observation Well Network: Observation Well Network: DistributionDistribution

•Most Observation Wells located in the southern half of BC, in major groundwater regions.

•3/4 monitor sand and gravel aquifers; 1/4 monitor bedrock aquifers.

•Typically establish 1- 3 new Observation Wells per year.

•Policy to establish an Observation Well in all “IA” aquifers.

Observation Well Network:Observation Well Network:Data collectionData collection

• 2/3 of the Observation Wells are equipped with recorders; 1/3 of are manually read on a monthly basis.

• Currently converting Stevens F68 recorders to Thalimedes data loggers; storage of data in the Ministry’s WIDM database.

• Historic chart data in hard copy format.

• Historic charts for 26 Observation Wells have been digitized by Environment Canada in 2002.

• All month-end reading (recorders and manual) are entered into Excel.

• Data from Observation Wells reported in numerous ways

Data from Obs Wells are used to Characterize Data from Obs Wells are used to Characterize

Groundwater Conditions in British ColumbiaGroundwater Conditions in British Columbia

Observation Well Data are Reported in the Provincial Snow Survey Bulletin

•10 Key Observation Wells reported regularly in the Snow Survey Bulletin for flood and drought forecasting.

•Web site: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/rfc/river_forecast/bulletin.htm

Reporting of Observation Well data:Snow Survey Bulletin (continued)

Observation Well No. 2Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer

Observation Well Data are Reporting in the Observation Well Data are Reporting in the Province’s State Of Environment ReportsProvince’s State Of Environment Reports

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1965-1970

1970-1975

1975-1980

1980-1985

1985-1990

1990-1995

1995-2000

5-year period

%

% wells reflecting naturalseasonal fluctuations

% wells reflecting humanimpacts

% wells reflecting humanimpacts & with decliningtrends

Status and Trends in Groundwater Supply: (http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/soerpt/7groundwater/wellsglance.html)

Access to Month-end DataAccess to Month-end Data

• View hydrographs on the web.

• Download month-end groundwater level data from web.

• Web site: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wat/gws/obswell/wellindex.html

Monitoring Monitoring groundwater groundwater

levels has levels has identified extent identified extent of temporal and of temporal and spatial declining spatial declining

regional regional groundwater groundwater levels in the levels in the

Lower Fraser Lower Fraser ValleyValley

Monitoring groundwater Monitoring groundwater levels has allowed a levels has allowed a

better ubetter understanding of nderstanding of pumping behaviour in pumping behaviour in

sand and gravel as well as sand and gravel as well as fractured bedrock fractured bedrock aquifers, to allow aquifers, to allow

development of provincial development of provincial well testing guidelineswell testing guidelines

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wat/gws/gwdocs/eval_well/toc.html

Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring in British Columbia: Objectivesin British Columbia: Objectives

• Examine groundwater quality concerns in the province and monitor trends with time.

• Groundwater Quality Concerns in BC :– Nitrates and phosphates

– Synthetic organic compounds including pesticides

– Coliform bacteria

– Heavy metals

– Hydrocarbons including gasoline

– Landfill leachate

– Saltwater including seawater intrusion

Regional Water Quality Issues and Areas

• VANCOUVER ISLAND - saltwater, fluoride, hydrogen sulphide, bacteria

• LOWER MAINLAND - nitrates, saltwater, fluoride

• KOOTENAY- heavy metals, sulphate

• NORTHERN BC - arsenic, radioactivity

• SOUTERN INTERIOR - nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, sulphate, uranium, mercury

Criteria for Selecting Areas for Criteria for Selecting Areas for Ambient Water Quality MonitoringAmbient Water Quality Monitoring

• Groundwater used as water supply.

• Areas with large community wells.

• Large amounts of groundwater extraction.

• Significant land use activities.

• Shallow water table aquifers vulnerable to contamination.

• Alternative water sources not readily available.

• Groundwater contamination discharging to surface water.

AGWM location

Surveyed area

Monitoring and Survey Areas Prior to 2002

Cowichan Estuary Lower Fraser Valley

Osoyoos

GrandForksArmstrong

MerrittKeremeos

Oliver

Identify Patterns of Concern (NO3-N, NaCl)

Monitoring of ambient groundwater quality has identified significant water quality trends

0

5

10

15

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Date

NO

3-N

(m

g/L)

Drinking guideline = 10 mg/L NO3-N

NO3-N versus time, Site A 100-foot monitoring well, Grand Forks, BC

Monitoring of ambient groundwater quality has Monitoring of ambient groundwater quality has allowed better understanding of the occurrence allowed better understanding of the occurrence

and distribution of NOand distribution of NO33-N in this aquifer-N in this aquifer

NO3-N > 30 mg/L

NO3-N > 10 - 30 mg/L

NO3-N distributionin the Grand Forks Aquifer

NO3-N = 3 – 10 mg/L

NO3-N < 3 mg/L

Current enhancement of the Ambient Groundwater Current enhancement of the Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network : Expanding to all IA Aquifers *Monitoring Network : Expanding to all IA Aquifers *

• In 2002, increase existing AGWQM Network from Lower Fraser Valley, Osoyoos and Grand Forks to other parts of BC.

• Use BC Aquifer Classification System to identify high priority aquifers; expand AGWQM Network to all IA aquifers.

• Establish a handful of monitoring sites in each IA aquifer.

* for information on IA aquifers and the BC Aquifer Classification System, see: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wat/aquifers/index.html

Access and Reporting of Ambient Access and Reporting of Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring DataGroundwater Quality Monitoring Data • Technical reports and conference papers

• Development of water reporting strategy

• Water Quality Trends in Selected British Columbia Waterbodies

Development of restricted web access to EMS

Summary of Well Monitoring NetworksSummary of Well Monitoring Networks

• Groundwater level monitoring – Observation Well Network.

• Groundwater quality monitoring – Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network.

• Importance of networks in understanding human and natural impacts on aquifers and developing policies to manage and protect them.

• Issues: data assurance, storage, access and analysis and reporting; new business needs, staff training.

Groundwater Quality Groundwater Quality Fact Sheets

• There are seven fact sheets that provide general groundwater quality information on:

– total and fecal coliform bacteria;– nitrate;– arsenic;– fluoride;– sodium;– iron and manganese; and– hardness.

Location of Groundwater Quality Fact Sheets

Contents of the Nitrate Fact Sheet

• What is nitrate?• What are the known sources of nitrate?• What are the environmental health concerns?• Where have high nitrate levels been found in BC

well water?• What can well owners and water purveyors do

about nitrate contamination of well water?• Well water testing and source protection, and • Other government information sources on

Nitrates.

Example of a Groundwater Quality Fact Sheet

Aquifers and the Internet Mapping Application

• BC’s Aquifer Classification Mapping Program was developed in 1994,

• Search for aquifers by using aquifer characteristics developed,

• Gif. files of individual aquifers established,

• Aquifers available in an internet map based format in 2002

BC’s Aquifers Classification Mapping System

• Turn data into information for decision makers to use

• Build an inventory of aquifers in BC

• Develop map-based products so others can “see” aquifers

• Use the information to assist in management and protection of the resource

BC Aquifer Classification SystemBC Aquifer Classification System

Level of Vulnerability

Level of Development

Classification Component

Ranking Component

Aquifer Classification

System

Inventory

of

Aquifers

Level of Vulnerability

I II III

A IA - heavily developed;high vulnerability

IIA - moderatelydeveloped; highvulnerability

IIIA - lightlydeveloped; highvulnerability

B IB - heavily developed;moderate vulnerability

IIB - moderatelydeveloped; moderatevulnerability

IIIB - lightlydeveloped; moderatevulnerability

C IC - heavily developed;low vulnerability

IIC - moderatelydeveloped; lowvulnerability

IIIC - lightlydeveloped; lowvulnerability

Classification ComponentLevel of Development

Lev

el o

f V

uln

erab

ilit

y

Ranking Value Component1 2 3

Productivity low moderate high

Vulnerability low moderate high

Size < 5 Km2 5 – 25 Km2 > 25 Km2

Demand low moderate high

Type of Use non-drinking water drinking water multiple

Quality Concerns isolated local regional

Quantity Concerns isolated local regional

Example Applications of Aquifer Classification

System• As a local government, where should we

be most careful to ensure rural development and use of septic systems do not impact groundwater quality?

• As a health official, which areas are most susceptible to nitrate contamination in groundwater used for drinking water?

• As a home owner, can I develop a well water supply?

What the Aquifer Classification System does

not do• Does not provide specific information about

groundwater availability, direction or rate of flow nor aquifer capacity

• Does not show variability of properties across an aquifer (e.g., productivity, vulnerability)

• Does not reveal interactions with surface water

• Does not show trends over time (static)

Status of Aquifer Mapping

• 608 aquifers currently completed

• Approximately 660 aquifers by the Summer of 2004

StatusOf

AquiferMapping

MappingMappingthe the

Aquifers Aquifers around the around the Chemainus Chemainus

RiverRiver

Guide to Using the BC Aquifer Classification Maps

• Assist people in interpreting and using the maps,

• Explains the System,• Discusses assumptions

underlying its design, the interpretation of the info. presented, and the appropriate use of the maps.

Main Aquifer Web Page

Web Page for Conducting Aquifer Enquiries

Web Page for Displaying a Graphic file of an Aquifers

Example of

Bedrock Aquifer #124 .gif

file

Web Page for the Internet Aquifer Mapping WEB Site

Future Mapping on this Internet Site will Include Future Mapping on this Internet Site will Include Aquifer Characterization Maps (e.g. the occurrence and Aquifer Characterization Maps (e.g. the occurrence and

distribution of NOdistribution of NO33-N in the Grand Forks Aquifers-N in the Grand Forks Aquifers

NO3-N > 30 mg/L

NO3-N > 10 - 30 mg/L

NO3-N distributionin the Grand Forks Aquifer

NO3-N = 3 – 10 mg/L

NO3-N < 3 mg/L

Future Mapping on this Internet Site will Include Cross Future Mapping on this Internet Site will Include Cross Sections and other Information for Specific AquifersSections and other Information for Specific Aquifers

Summary

• The provincial web sites will increasingly become a valuable source for more groundwater information;

• More of the existing groundwater data will become groundwater information and posted on the provincial web sites;

• The provincial web sites are to become more user friendly.