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

水力层析成像（HT）作为一种新的现场技术出现，用于成像地下非均质性的水力传导率（K）和比存储（Ss）。特别是，HT涉及在井网上进行连续抽水试验，并联合分析数据集，以获得K和Ss分布的一致解释。先前的研究表明，HT通过在小规模现场进行试点研究得出可靠的结果。然而，研究是非常必要的，以调查HT是否可以产生准确的参数，从现有的水位记录，由于在市政井场泵/注入操作。在这些地点，威尔斯之间的距离很大，数据稀少，使得HT技术的应用成为新的挑战。**本项目的总体目标是与滑铁卢地区和Aquanty公司合作，研究利用市政井场的现有数据绘制滑铁卢冰碛各含水层/弱透水层单位K和S的可行性。具体目标是：1）证明HT在估计K和Ss的空间分布方面上级传统方法; 2）调查HT结果是否可以通过地质数据的整合产生更精细的尺度细节; 3）制定市政井数据HT分析指南; 4）探索HT技术在加拿大市政水和瓶装水市场中的实用性;（5）培养高素质人才。预计该项目将为加拿大工业带来的主要好处是开发了一种新方法，通过对通常不进行分析的市政井场现有水位记录进行创新分析，来描述水力参数中的地下异质性。如果研究成功，就可以确定含水层参数，而不需要进行专门的抽水试验，这将节省大量费用。此外，这项研究还将提高地下水流动和运输模型的可靠性，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.