Robert George, P.Geol, Water Policy Branch, Alberta Environment April, Groundwater Classification Overview WATERTECH 2009

Transcription

1 Robert George, P.Geol, Water Policy Branch, Alberta Environment April, 2009 Groundwater Classification Overview WATERTECH 2009

2 OUTLINE Aquifer Characterization and Classification Groundwater System Policy and Management Chemistry Sustainability Vulnerability Policy Development process

3 Characterization-Classification-Management Water for life Strategy GOA AGENCIES (AENV, ERCB, ARD, ETC.), WPACS, MUNICIPALITIES (policy, directives, GMUs, licences, approvals, zoning) WFL OUTCOMES GW MANAGEMENT POLICY, PLANNING SPECIALISTS, (provincial policy, basin water management plans) AQUIFER CLASSIFICATION PROFESSIONAL HYDROGEOLOGISTS (mapping, modelling,resource inventory) HYDROGEOLOGY-CHARACTERIZATION

4 Characterization-Classification-Management CLASSIFICATION SCIENCE MANAGEMENT ACTION POLICY GUIDELINES WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT UNITS DIRECTIVES CODES OF PRACTICE LICENCE AND APPROVAL CONDITIONS

5 Groundwater System Groundwater Physical System 1.0 CLIMATE Quantity (storage) Users GEOLOGY FLOW Quality (chem) Human GRAVITY (TOPO) Gw-Sw interaction Impacters Industry WMPs/WPACs Aprovals Effects

6 Groundwater System Groundwater Physical System 1.0 HYDROGEOLOGY-CHARACTERIZATION CLIMATE Quantity (storage) Users GEOLOGY FLOW Quality (chem ) Human GRAVITY (TOPO) Gw-Sw interaction Im pacters Industry WMPs/WPACs Aprovals Effects

7 Groundwater System Groundwater Physical System 1.0 SUSTAINABILITY CLASSIFICATION CLIMATE Quantity (storage) Users QUALITY/BACKISH GEOLOGY FLOW Quality (chem ) Human GRAVITY (TOPO) Gw-Sw interaction Im pacters VULNERABILITY Industry WMPs/WPACs Aprovals Effects

8 Groundwater System Groundwater Physical System 1.0 GW MANAGEMENT WMP GMU LICENCE CLIMATE Quantity (storage) Users GEOLOGY FLOW Quality (chem ) Human GRAVITY (TOPO) Gw-Sw interaction Im pacters Industry WMPs/WPACs Aprovals Effects

9 Groundwater Policy and Management Groundwater Management Units Alberta Environment views GMUs as hydraulicallyconnected groundwater systems in which water management objectives and outcomes are stakeholderbased. GMUs include water users in water management initiatives. Involvement of the water user in the decisionmaking process will improve stakeholder commitments to the decisions that are collectively taken. WPACs play a critical role in water management within its watershed boundaries; this will be also true for groundwater management.

10 Policy and Pressures Resource Competition, Growth, Conflicting Use, Climate Change, Water Resource Limits Policy Drivers Water for Life, Alberta s Strategy For Sustainability The Groundwater Risk Assessment Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee on Coalbed Methane Rosenberg Regional Workshop

11 Policy Changes in the way we and the world views water Water for Life - do not waste useable groundwater led to Oilfield Injection Policy MAC Develop policy for Beneficial use of produced water associated with CBM Rosenberg Re-evaluate the Base of Groundwater Protection

12 Increasing Saline Groundwater Treatment options 2008, U.S. National Academy of Science 2007, PTAC Beneficial Uses Study

13 Aquifer Classification Chemistry and Groundwater Quality

14 Alberta s TDS Aquifer Classification Salinity (TDS) is the only aquifer classification currently in the Water Act (over / under 4,000 mg/l) Multiple chemical parameters (e.g. hydrocarbons) could better reflect usability and management options More comprehensive classification may improve groundwater understanding, protection and management BGWP (saline versus non-saline) is a classification-based management system

15 Alberta Geological Survey TDS versus well depth <1,000 mg/l <1,000 mg/l

16 Aquifer Classification Texas TDS based classification Brackish water

17 Aquifer Classification Utah Class I Ground Water: CLASS IA, CLASS IB, and CLASS IC CLASS IA - PRISTINE GROUND WATER : CLASS IB - IRREPLACEABLE GROUND WATER CLASS IC - ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT GROUND WATER Class II Ground Water - DRINKING WATER QUALITY GROUND WATER

18 Aquifer Classification Utah Class III - LIMITED USE GROUND WATER Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) greater than 3000 mg/l and less than 10,000 mg/l, or; One or more contaminants that exceed the ground water quality standards Brackish water Class IV - SALINE GROUND WATER greater than 10,000 mg/l of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

19 Aquifer Classification Wyoming Class I - Domestic use Class II - Agriculture (irrigation) Class III Livestock Class IIIA Fish Aquatic Life Class IV - Industry Class IVA TDS <10,000 mg/l Class IVB TDS >10,000 mg/l Class V Associated with hydrocarbons, minerals or geothermal resources Class VI Unsuitable for any use Brackish water

20 Brackish Water Outcomes and Objectives 1. Increase brackish water use 2. Increase brackish water treatment 3. Increase conservation and stewardship options (conjunctive use) 4. Improve science (brackish aquifer characterization, chemistry, flow, sustainability) 5. Improve stakeholder knowledge and decisions An Improved Brackish classification will yield better policy and management decisions

21 Future Policy Direction Brackish Water Management Water Management Plans will include brackish groundwater water resources Groundwater Management Units policy consideration/development (regional to local scale) Brackish water licensing? A future policy decision depending on need for regulation

22 Future Brackish Classification (in progress) CLASS SUBCLASS OBJECTIVES FRESH <4,000 mg/l BRACKISH 4,000-10,000 mg/l SALINE >10,000 mg/l Minimal Treatment (CDWQ Guidelines) Treatable for Human use Readily Treatable for human and industrial use Complex treatment and/or multiple contamination issues Multiple Industrial uses (EOR etc.) Untreatable Dedicated or preferred disposal zones? (Oilfield waste, CO2 storage) Human and livestock consumption, other uses requiring high quality. Aquifer protection and resource conservation for sustainable use. Protect and enhance industrial uses (displace fresh water use) Protect brackish resources for future treatment and use (water short areas) Resolve multiple use conflicts (competition for supply, disposal vs. extraction) Define BGWP formations and management requirements (ERCB Directives) Enable CO2 storage in secure formations. Encourage saline water use Resolve multiple use conflicts (storage vs. EOR, competition)

23 Brackish Water Classification (4,000 10,000 mg/l) Potential Management Changes Potential Oil Industry Impacts Deeper Deep Well disposal Frac Fluid chemistry options diminish Commingling Issues Remedial cementing in older wells? Increased abandonment costs? Increased regulatory costs? Brackish water availability generally unchanged (abundant supply)

24 Present Brackish Water Use Thermal In Situ Oilsands

25 Aquifer Classification Sustainability

26 Approx. 500,000 groundwater wells developed in Alberta Usage is greatest in the central Alberta

27 Aquifer Classification Sustainability, Geology Ireland Karstified bedrock (Rk)» Regionally Important (R) Aquifers Fissured bedrock (Rf) Extensive sand & gravel (Rg)» Locally Important (L) Aquifers Sand & gravel (Lg) Bedrock which is Generally Moderately Productive (Lm) Bedrock which is Moderately Productive only in Local Zones (Ll)» Poor (P) Aquifers Bedrock which is Generally Unproductive except for Local Zones (Pl) Bedrock which is Generally Unproductive (Pu)

28 Aquifer Classification Sustainability South Africa

29 Future Sustainability Classification (in progress) CLASS SUBCLASS OBJECTIVES I Sole Source II Multiple Aquifer / Surface Sources III Future Supplies IA local and low yield aquifers (highest risk) IB large, high yield aquifers (essential water sources) IIA Abundant groundwater supplies and multiple aquifer sources IIB Complex flow systems, groundwater or GW-SW interactions IIIA readily treatable and useable (COSTS) IIIB useable yield, no feasible treatment for consumption. Human and livestock consumption, other uses if sustainable. Water Conservation objectives, conjunctive use. Drinking water, Municipal and Industrial sources. Water Conservation objectives. Monitor aquifer use optimize utilization of sources Water Conservation and Groundwater Management Units (long-term goal). Monitor water use and model flow systems. Conjunctive use and source optimization planning. Resolve multiple use conflicts and source issues in holistic Water Management Plans Evaluate supplies and treatment costs Groundwater Inventory. Protect from contamination. Not protected or evaluated. Non-regulated use (SALINE AQUIFERS, PRODUCED WATER, DISPOSAL ZONES)

30 Aquifer Classification Vulnerability and GW SW Interaction

31 Aquifer Classification Vulnerability and Surface Interaction British Columbia - Aquifer Classification categorizes an aquifer based on its current level of groundwater development (use) and vulnerability to contamination. Vulnerability of an aquifer to contamination, (based on: type, thickness, and extent of geologic materials above the aquifer, depth to water table (or to top of confined aquifer), and type of aquifer materials. Vulnerability may be high, moderate or low.) Demand is the level of groundwater use (the level of reliance on the resource for supply. Demand may be low, moderate or high.) Aquifer Ranking Value (the sum of the point values for each of the following physical criteria: productivity, size, vulnerability, demand, type of use, and documented quality concerns and quantity concerns.)

32 Aquifer Classification British Columbia Vulnerability and Development Pressure

33 Aquifer Classification British Columbia

34 Aquifer Classification U.S. EPA QUALITY, USE AND VULNERABILITY Through the process of classification, groundwater resources are separated into hierarchial categories on the basis of their value to society, use, and vulnerability to contamination. Ground-water classes will be a factor in deciding the level of protection or remediation the resource will be provided.

35 Aquifer Classification U.S. EPA

36 Aquifer Classification Vulnerability Using DRASTIC - Ohio The DRASTIC mapping system allows the pollution potential of any area to be evaluated systematically : D = Depth to Water R = Net Recharge A = Aquifer Media S = Soil Media T = Topography I = Impact of the Vadose Zone Media C = Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer

37 Aquifer Classification Policy Development Process Policy Development Process 1. Information gathering and assessment 2. Input from hydrogeological expertise (AENV, ERCB, AGS etc.) 3. Identify classification options and consequences 4. Identify Classification and Management options 5. Stakeholder Input (Industry sectors, public) 6. Recommendations for groundwater management change 7. Recommendations to GOA Spring 2010?

38 Thank You