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

水力层析成像（HT）已经成为一种新的油田技术，可以对地下非均质性进行成像，包括水力导电性(K)和比储量（Ss）。特别的是，高温测试包括在井网上进行连续泵送测试，并联合分析数据集，以获得对K和Ss分布的一致解释。先前的研究表明，高温疗法通过在小规模现场进行的试点研究产生了可靠的结果。然而，迫切需要研究高温测井能否从市政井田的抽水/注水作业中获得准确的水位参数。在这些地方，井间距离大，数据稀疏，使得高温技术的应用变得新颖而具有挑战性。该项目的总体目标是与滑铁卢地区和Aquanty公司合作，研究利用市政井场现有数据绘制滑铁卢冰碛不同含水层/含水层单元的K和s的可行性。具体目标是：1)证明HT在估算K和Ss的空间分布方面优于传统方法；2)通过对地质数据的整合，探讨高温成像结果是否能获得更精细的非均质性尺度细节；3)制定市政井资料高温分析指导意见；4)探索HT技术在加拿大市政用水和瓶装水市场的应用；培养高素质人才（HQP）。该项目预计将为加拿大行业带来的主要好处是，通过对市政井田现有水位记录的创新分析，开发出一种新的方法来描述水力参数的地下非均质性，而这些数据通常是不被分析的。如果研究成功，无需进行专门的抽水测试就可以表征含水层参数，这将大大节省成本。此外，该研究还将提高地下水流动和输送模型的可靠性，最终实现更好的决策。

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.