Baseline Hydrogeological Assessment Construction Upgrades – Trans-Canada Highway

The objective of the assessment was to establish the pre-construction condition of water supply wells in the area, as part of efforts to prevent domestic water users from being adversely affected by construction processes.

We identified all wells within the construction area and evaluated the current water quality and quantity for each well to provide a baseline for future comparisons. The team collected two sets of water quality samples from each well (during low and high water levels) and conducted short-duration constant rate pumping tests to evaluate well productivity. Water quality samples were analyzed for an abbreviated suite of parameters deemed “changeable by construction activity,” and results were compared with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Flow rates and groundwater levels were monitored during the pumping tests, and were used to calculate the specific capacity of each well. These results, along with findings from other assessments, were used to guide construction planning.