Hydrogeology / Contaminant Hydrogeology

The study of ground water continues to be an evolving science and a central theme for all environmental assessments. Ground water forms an integral part of the water cycle, discharging to wetlands and streams as well as recharging aquifers. There is a dichotomy between ground water’s role as a renewable natural resource and it’s natural heritage function.

Azimuth evaluates site-specific ground water conditions by first defining the physical geological conditions and their hydraulic characteristics. These conditions control the direction and rate of flow, as well as the ground water quantity and quality.

These factors are important regardless of whether the assessment is addressing a new municipal well supply, an ARA license application, property development influences, landfill impacts, contaminants from a brownfield site, evaluations of potential road salt impacts from highway applications or a peer review of another consultant’s technical report.

Azimuth and our environmental professionals are certified by the Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) and the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).

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Road Salt Evaluations

Salt investigations conducted by Azimuth have included assessments of road salt related impacts to both commercial and residential ground water sources. Typically investigations are conducted in response to ground water users making a claim to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) when they feel their well has been impacted by the addition of road salt on a neighbouring roadway, however similar investigations have been completed for Townships. As part of the investigation, Azimuth conducts a site visit which includes an assessment of the hydrogeological conditions at the site based on such things as surficial soils, topography, hydrology, hydrogeology and local geology. In addition, a water sample and / or a pump test is conducted to assess the current ground water quality and hydraulic properties of the well / aquifer. Once this field data has been collected a more thorough review is completed using additional information such as well records and the resulting geochemical data. From all of this information, it is determined whether the source of the claimant’s issues is anthropogenic (addition of road salt), natural (brackish water) or a combination of the two. In the event road salt is found to be the issue, solutions such as treatment, well rehabilitation or construction of a new well may be suggested to the client. In some instances, the client requires the collection of baseline data as part of future road re-alignment projects. As such, similar site investigations are conducted to collect pre-construction data. These investigations are conducted in a similar manor as those described above, however the data is only reviewed in the event a claim is made in the future.

Salt investigations are typically required by the MTO, however, at times municipalities request pre-construction monitoring such that they can determine background ground water quality in case future well claims are made. As examples, Azimuth has completed numerous pre-construction well testing projects for the MTO for highway re-alignment projects along Highways 6, 10, 141, 400, 401 and 518. In addition, similar projects have also been completed for the township of the Archipelago and Seguin.

The completion of a salt investigation can require the expertise of Azimuth’s hydrogeologists, geochemists and engineers, whom can all be involved in both the site visits and report preparation.

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Peer Review

Peer review is a technical critique of another consultant’s report to determine if the report addresses all the scientific and technical requirements of the applicable approval process. The benefit of utilizing peer review is the ability to apply a high level of expertise to evaluate a report or technical problem on an as required basis.

We undertake peer reviews for clients that lack the in-house technical expertise or qualifications to evaluate a report for compliance with the applicable statutes, policies or guidelines in order to obtain approval for the project. Municipalities and government agencies utilize our peer review service for complex projects or when the volume of reports requiring review does not warrant hiring full time staff.

Azimuth’s approach to peer review in hydrogeology is to review the technical data (ground water levels, type and depth of overburden, water well records) used by the author to establish the conceptual model that defines ground water flow through the area. If the conceptual model is incorrect the analysis will be flawed. Upon confirming the accuracy of the conceptual model Azimuth hydrogeologists review the associated findings and recommendations to ensure they are consistent with the interpretation of the conceptual ground water flow model and the established scientific principles. The report is reviewed for the author’s use of all available and applicable data sources, compliance with the applicable statutes, policies or guidelines. If the report is fundamentally flawed (e.g., ground water elevation show water flowing uphill) we immediately inform our client, providing suggestions on how to correct the situation, rather than spending the entire budget only to reject the findings. This approach minimizes the peer review cost and provides positive feedback on how to correct the report.

The nature of the report defines the technical disciplines required. Azimuth assigns our technical staff based on the expertise required. Typically if it is a natural heritage review we would assign terrestrial and aquatic biologists to address flora and fauna and a hydrogeologist to review the ground water contribution to the ecosystem. Infrastructure components (sewage disposal, water supply) would be reviewed by our environmental engineers and hydrogeologists. Generally the review is assigned to one senior staff member who would consult with other disciplines as required.

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