Groundwater Program
Aquifer block diagram. Click to enlarge.
Alberta Geological Survey’s groundwater work is divided into two programs:
- understanding the nonsaline groundwater systems of Alberta; and
- understanding the saline groundwater systems of Alberta.
We also provide geoscience support to other government agencies in support of Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy.
Nonsaline Groundwater Program
We are collaborating with Alberta Environment and Water to map and understand the province’s groundwater resources. Our team of geologists and technologists will
- map the extent of the major nonsaline aquifers;
- characterize the physical properties of aquifers;
- quantify the chemical properties of the water within these aquifers;
- assess current groundwater use associated with these aquifers; and
- predict the long-term effects on groundwater and surface-water resources when using groundwater from these aquifers.
Current Projects
Our first product from the Provincial Groundwater Inventory Program is the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor Groundwater Atlas.
Saline Aquifer Mapping Program
The goal of saline aquifer mapping program is to provide public-domain, digital maps for all of Alberta of the major saline aquifers from the crystalline basement to the lowermost aquifer of the Colorado Group. The aquifers will be mapped in terms of
- extent, thickness, lithology, geology, porosity and permeability;
- groundwater chemistry, pressure, flow and age;
- deeper temperature and geothermal energy potential;
- potential for future water production or storage; and
- intrinsic capacity to safely store liquid or gaseous wastes, like CO2, over long periods.
Current Project
Previous Projects
- Created regional-scale maps of formations hosting groundwater and saline water resources of interest to Alberta’s energy sector, particularly in the Athabasca and Cold Lake oil sands areas.
- Conducted quantitative studies on the effects of produced water disposal and groundwater extraction by the energy industry in both the oil sands and coalbed-methane producing areas of Alberta.
Last modified: September 11, 2012
