Groundwater 2019

There is growing concern about the occurrence of a diverse array of anthropogenic organic contaminants in the aquatic environment. This concern extends to groundwater which is a critical drinking water resource. Current monitoring and regulation only covers a small fraction of anthropogenic substances that could pollute groundwater. Monitoring for unregulated substances is currently very limited or not carried out at all and as a result, the evidence base with which to inform policy development in this area is currently inadequate. Due to the high cost of monitoring, a coordinated European-wide approach is needed to identify priority substances, or groups of substances, that have the potential to pollute groundwater.

This talk describes recent progress made by the European Working Group on Groundwater to establish the first voluntary groundwater watch list (GWWL) for substances of emerging concern. The process for developing the GWWL is one that has brought together researchers, regulators and industry and is briefly described. A summary of the key principles behind the GWWL methodology is presented as well as results from pilot studies using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and pharmaceuticals.

Dan Lapworth

Principal Hydrogeochemist, British Geological Survey

• New techniques for characterising groundwater quality and pollutant fate in the sub-surface:
• better understanding sub-surface contaminant distribution
• assessing the impact of heterogeneity on groundwater flow
• Advances in digitalisation of the collection, presentation and use of groundwater data – enabling real-time data in a usable format
• Developing robust Conceptual Site Models which support and justify risk assessment decisions

Ben Le Grice

Senior Environmental Consultant, Arcadis

Examining what techniques are being used in practice for contaminant source and plume zone characterisation to inform remedial strategies. This presentation, illustrated with case studies, will draw on 20 years of research and practice to reveal recent advances in site characterization methods and present an evaluation of which methods provide the best return on investment.

Dr Gary Wealthall

Managing Director, and Adjunct Professor (Toronto), Geosyntec Consultants Ltd

This presentation will provide insight into effectively calculating the NSZD rate, understanding the natural process and the effect it has on groundwater plumes, as well as applying it in groundwater models.

Presentation co-authored by Rob Sweeney, Project Director, CL:AIRE

Dr Michael Rivett

Director, GroundH2O plus Ltd & Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde

• Understanding how NAPL behaves as it moves from source to aquifer and the impact of source zone depletion
• Best practice in understanding and modelling NAPL and plume migration over time

Ben Fretwell

Associate Director, Wood Environment & Infrastructure

This presentation will give an insight into current laboratory analysis capabilities and their suitability for different contaminants, particularly those with low EQS targets. By better understanding which analysis techniques achieve the best characterisation, you can select the most appropriate for your site and achieve optimum results within budgetary constraints.

Hazel Davidson

Technical Marketing Manager, Derwentside Environmental Testing Services (DETS)

• Determining what information you need, and what to do with it, to get suitable outputs for effective decision-making
• Developing robust Conceptual Site Models which support and justify risk assessment decisions:
  • emphasising a lines of evidence approach to justify remediation decisions

Dr Anna Hitchmough

Associate Technical Director, RSK

• Introducing the principle of flux measurements and their applicability to contaminated land and groundwater projects
• Outlining the Regulatory view on this new groundwater monitoring technique
• Project case studies

Tim Op 't Eyndt

Managing Director, iFLUX

• Examining the extent to which mains water leakage is a significant source of phosphorus and nitrogen to groundwater and how this will change in the future
• Can we trace nitrogen and phosphorus associated with mains water leakage?
• Exploring if abstraction for public water supply is a significant nitrogen sink

Matthew Ascott

Hydrogeologist, British Geological Survey

• Determining when bio-remediation can be used effectively and the costs, benefits and practicalities of it as a remedial solution
• Examining how it can be demonstrated to have a consistent approach appropriate for regulatory sign-off

James Cartwright

Technical Director, Geostream UK