Rakaia-Ashburton Groundwater Flow Project
November 17, 2009
MEDIA STATEMENT
Environment Canterbury has started a piezometric* survey to better understand the three-dimensional water flows in the aquifer system beneath the Rakaia-Ashburton Plains area.
Geology student Clare Webster has been employed
from November to February 2010 to work on the project, which
is being managed by groundwater hydrologist Mike Thorley as
part of Environment Canterbury’s investigations and
monitoring work.
“The project involves identifying
and assessing suitable wells and then surveying their water
levels,” says Mike Thorley.
“Clare’s initial
task will be checking well information and accessibility,
which will also involve site visits to check location and
owner details.”
The project will need access to some
wells on private land to ensure a good spread of data
points. Land-owners will be notified prior to Clare or
other Environment Canterbury staff visiting their
properties.
“The survey of well pressure will give
us a snap-shot of groundwater conditions and allow us to
develop a three-dimensional model of the flows under the
Rakaia-Ashburton district,” says Mike
Thorley.
“Our aim is to understand where groundwater
comes from and how it moves through Canterbury’s aquifers,
so we can better manage the freshwater
resource.”
Clare Webster, who has recently completed
her third year at Otago University, says she finds the
Canterbury groundwater system very interesting, and is
really looking forward to working on the project.
“I
completed a research project in hydrology this year as part
of my studies, and appreciate the opportunity to gain
valuable experience working at Environment Canterbury
helping to investigate the nature of the groundwater
resource.”
“If people think they may have a well
that will provide good information please contact us and let
us know the details.”
Clare’s work will also
involve setting up the piezometric survey, which is
scheduled for March or April next year, and a follow-up
survey scheduled for August or September.
*
Piezometric – the hydrostatic pressure level of the water
in the
aquifer.
ENDS