Groundwater Assessment Studies

Electromagnetic Airborne Survey

Some 74% of the earth consists of water. But 99.4% of this water cannot be used because its either saline or locked up in glaciers or ice sheets. Less than 0.01% is present in rivers and lakes. The remaining water is present in soils and rocks as groundwater. In many parts of the world rivers and lakes are either absent or polluted. Groundwater is then the only source of fresh water and is therefore a source that needs to be protected.

Getting supply of groundwater Getting supply of fresh groundwater is world wide major question number 1. You can bring groundwater to the surface by drilling into aquifers and pump the water out. But then you have to know where to drill. Traditionally people went to water diviners to find out if there was groundwater available. Nowadays, if there are no geological surveys available to obtain the necessary information, a water resources assessment study starts with advanced tools from the air. Airborne survey tools are excellent techniques for geological mapping from the surface through the shallow sections and into deeper structures. Airborne survey techniques are an extremely cost effective and efficient way of obtaining regional data and mapping of lithological vertical and lateral boundaries that border aquifers. Integrated with a pilot borehole or an exploratory well, the findings of the airborne survey can be extrapolated. Groundwater modelling and well design When a water bearing aquifer is found, the exploitation of the aquifer largely depends on the natural water resources. Water availability is governed by rainfall distribution in time and space, run-off generation, and topographic and geological features that influence water movement and storage. To assess the current availability and to predict the future availability of groundwater, a state of the art numerical groundwater flow model has to be built.

Irrigation design

For a model design we: develop a (GIS based) data set comprising reliable hydrological information on the rain fall, runoff, groundwater level, soil moisture balance, aquifer hydraulic properties and characteristics of the watershed; develop general (GIS based) procedures for rainfall simulation and for relating rainfall run-off processes to the infiltration recharge processes; carry out field studies (slug tests using Hvorslevs method, pumping tests) and theoretical reviews to support the development of the model and the integration within a GIS framework. analyse the groundwater flow regime through detailed monitoring and studying of existing or new piezometric records. Depending on the information available, calibration of model parameters will improve model results. To continuously improve the model we recommend to examine post-calibration model performance (validation).

Groundwater Protection After a well field is established, it is necessary to control groundwater quality. Although it is usually more difficult to pollute groundwater than rivers and lakes, many of our activities have an impact on groundwater quality. As a result of groundwater contamination it might be necessary to abandon wells. In rural areas septic tanks (effluent in soakage system) and farmyard activities (silage, dungheaps) can pollute groundwater while in and around urban areas refuse dumps would be just one source of contamination. Monitoring and modelling of groundwater quantity and quality will therefore be needed and will enable the authorities responsible to predict, to intervene or to prevent with the necessary sufficient remedial measures. Fugros hydrological expertise Because of the world-wide Fugro activities the hydrology departments benefit not only from their national knowledge but have also been able to extend this to an international level, and thus acquired a broad experience in the following fields: Water availability and resources studies, water system analysis; Hydrological field studies and investigations (piezometers, borehole logs, pump-tests); 2D and 3D Ground- and groundwater quantity and quality modelling. Rural and Urban water- and storm-water management; Contamination transport, dispersion and in situ groundwater remedial treatment; Construction dewatering for major infrastructural and civil works; These activities require a team of technical, legal and institutional experts. Fugros hydrogeologists and chemical and water quality experts offer a comprehensive approach to the activities as listed above.

Hydrological field testing

Well (field) design To determine the capacity of the well (field) the requirements have to be calculated. The type of well(s) and well screen design will depend on the depth to the water table and the aquifer characteristics. Once the well is drilled and the yield and the quality of the water tested, the well is sealed against pollution and disinfected. Well drilling is supervised by an experienced hydrologist.
Fugro Ingenieursbureau B.V.

Hydrology Department Veurse Achterweg 10, P.O. Box 63 2260 AB Leidschendam, The Netherlands Phone: 31-70-311 14 14 Fax: 31-70-311 14 02 E-mail: geohydrologie@fugro.nl www.fugro.com
Fugro Ingenieursbureau B.V. is part of the Fugro Group with offices all over the world March 2006 0159