Approximately one in four Canadians relies on groundwater as a source of potable water, yet few measures are in place to protect the quality of these groundwater sources. In North America, as in many other parts of the world, remediation of contaminated groundwater has become a major issue, with cost estimates approaching one trillion dollars in the U.S. alone.

Studies undertaken within this research theme sought to better understand the extent of contamination of Canadian aquifers, the processes by which they become contaminated and the ways in which prevention and remediation can be achieved.

Passive treatment using permeable reactive barriers is a promising method for removing various contaminants from groundwater at costs much less than traditional pump-and-treat technologies. These barriers were investigated for effectiveness and applicability under various conditions. Their development has been largely a Canadian effort with strong potential for both environmental and economic benefit for Canadians.

Groundwater and sediment, protection and remediation projects

• Contaminant fate and transport in integrated fractured rock subsurface and surface water systems, led by Dr. Ed Sudicky, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo
• Coupling between river and alluvial and fractured bedrock groundwater flow systems, led by Dr. Kerry MacQuarrie, Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Brunswick
• Permeable reactive barriers for treatment of dissolved metals, led by Dr. David Blowes, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo