More precise mapping of subsurface heterogeneity through hydraulic tomography analysis of municipal pumping and water level records

水力层析成像(HT)是一种新的现场成像技术，可以同时成像地下非均质性的水力传导性(K)和比容(SS)。特别是，HT涉及在井网上进行顺序抽水测试，并联合分析数据集，以获得对K和SS分布的一致解释。先前的研究已经表明，通过在小规模现场进行试点研究，HT可以产生可靠的结果。然而，迫切需要研究的是，由于市政井场的抽水/注水作业，高温能否从现有的水位记录中获得准确的参数。在这样的地点，井之间的距离大，数据稀疏，这给HT技术的应用带来了新的和挑战。本项目的总体目标是研究利用现有的市政井田数据，与滑铁卢和Aquanty公司合作，绘制滑铁卢Moraine地区各种含水层/含水层单元的K和SS图的可行性。具体目标是：1)证明HT在估计K和SS的空间分布方面优于传统方法；2)研究HT结果是否可以通过整合地质数据产生非均质性的更精细的尺度细节；3)为城市井数据的HT分析提供指导；4)探索HT技术在加拿大市政水和装水市场的应用；5)培训高素质人才(HQP)。该项目预计将为加拿大工业带来的主要好处是开发了一种新方法，通过对市政井场现有水位记录的创新分析来描绘水力参数的地下非均质性，而这些记录通常不会被分析。如果研究成功，就可以确定含水层参数的特征，而无需进行专门的抽水试验，从而节省大量费用。此外，这项研究应该会提高地下水流动和传输模型的可靠性，最终导致更好的决策。

Hydraulic tomography (HT) has emerged as a new field technology to image the subsurface heterogeneity for both hydraulic conductivity (K) and specific storage (Ss). In particular, HT involves conducting sequential pumping tests over a well network and jointly analyzing the data set to obtain a consistent interpretation of K and Ss distributions. Prior research has shown that HT yields reliable results through pilot studies at small-scale field sites. However, research is critically needed to investigate whether HT can yield accurate parameters from existing water level records due to pumping/injection operations at municipal wellfields. At such sites, distances among wells are large and data are sparse making the application of HT technology new and challenging.The overall goal of this project is to examine the feasibility of utilizing existing data from a municipal wellfield to map the K and Ss of various aquifer/aquitard units of the Waterloo Moraine in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and Aquanty, Inc. Specific objectives are: 1) to demonstrate that HT is superior to conventional methods for estimating the spatial distribution of K and Ss; 2) to investigate whether HT results can yield finer scale details to heterogeneity through the integration of geological data; 3) to develop guidance for HT analysis of municipal well data; 4) to explore the utility of HT technology in the Canadian municipal water and water bottling markets; and 5) to train highly qualified personnel (HQP).The main benefit from this project that is expected to accrue to the Canadian industry is the development of a new method to delineate subsurface heterogeneity in hydraulic parameters through the innovative analysis of existing water level records from municipal wellfields that are typically not analyzed. If the research is successful, aquifer parameters could be characterized without the conduct of dedicated pumping tests which would result in substantial cost savings. In addition, this research should lead to improved reliability of groundwater flow and transport models, ultimately leading to better decision making.