CLIMATE CHANGE, GROWTH, AND REGULATIONS SPURRING INVESTIGATIONS FOR GROUNDWATER RESOURCES - STEWIACKE, NOVA SCOTIA

Noseworthy, M., Bachiu, T.

In the proceedings of: GeoNiagara 2021: 74th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 14th joint with IAH-CNC

ABSTRACT: The Town of Stewiacke is located in central Nova Scotia and within the Carboniferous Minas Basin. The Minas Basin is a marine infill sequence of evaporites, limestone and sediments that is not commonly used as a groundwater supply. A limited characterization of the geology and testing of the hydrogeology has resulted in an assumption that the area does not have suitable aquifers to support municipal development. The water supply for the Town of Stewiacke has been the St. Andrews River for decades but increasing regulatory control and effects of climate change are limiting the quantity of water than can be extracted from the river. Water supply is a limiting factor for development in the Town which is well positioned for growth. The need for an alternative water supply to support this growth has motivated the Town to investigate a potential groundwater supply. WSP developed and implemented an investigation program that has identified an aquifer that may support the growth potential of the Town. The investigation program was initiated with diamond drilling to retrieve core, characterize the geology and identify testing target zones. Preliminary testing identified a potential high yield aquifer within the upper sedimentary sequence of the Watering Brook Formation. The drilling and testing of a test well confirmed the potential aquifer; with pumping test results of <15cm of drawdown following a 72-hour pumping test at >400 Lpm. Questions remain regarding the lateral extent of the aquifer and potential changes in water quality with long term extraction. WSP and the Town continue to evaluate the aquifer as a potential water supply to support future growth and development.

Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2021_344

Access this article:
Canadian Geotechnical Society members can access to this article, along with all other Canadian Geotechnical Conference proceedings, in the Member Area. Conference proceedings are also available in many libraries.

Cite this article: