Waterline is pleased to announce that  Andrew Hinnell  has joined our team as the Vice President of Water Resources. He brings over 25 years of hydrogeology and business experience to the team and strategically helps solidify Waterline’s position as a leader in delivering innovative technical solutions to our client’s water challenges. He has worked in the oil and gas and mining industries and will oversee all aspects of the physical hydrogeology teams. With a Ph.D. on the use of geophysics to improve characterization of hydrogeologic systems he also brings additional geophysics expertise to Waterline.

Calgary or Edmonton, AB JOB DESCRIPTION Waterline is seeking a junior hydrogeologist or environmental consultant based out of Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta. This is a unique opportunity to work with a team of over 80 hydrogeologists, environmental geoscientists, engineers, environmental scientists, GIS specialists, computer programmers, and support staff on hydrogeology projects across Western Canada. Candidates transitioning from exploration geology, well site geology, or other sectors will also be considered. There is no better place to learn and advance your career in hydrogeology or contaminated sites than Waterline Resources. Preference will be given to individuals currently residing in Alberta or BC. QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate must have a university degree and be a critical thinker with highly developed problem-solving skills. We are seeking specific qualifications as follows: Graduate or undergraduate degree in hydrogeology, geology, geological engineering, engineering geology, environmental engineering or related discipline. None to four years of relevant consulting and/or industry experience. Professional designation or eligibility confirmed with APEGA, EGBC, AIA or ASPB. Interested in a primarily field-based role with some office work for at least the first two to five years at Waterline so that new employees can become well practiced in the fundamentals of hydrogeology and environmental consulting. Strong work ethic with well-developed organizational and time management skills. Detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Experience with drilling techniques, installation of monitoring and production wells and soil and groundwater sampling procedures. Experience with environmental site assessments, remediation and/or reclamation. Experience using water level meters, data loggers, EC meters, electronic submersible pumps, etc. to gather hydrogeological and environmental data. Experience designing and implementing slug test and aquifer pumping testing programs. Practical experience or course work in data manipulation using data management tools such as Excel, MS Access, and QGIS. Required to have or be able to obtain standard oilfield tickets (e.g., H2S Alive, First Aid, and Ground Disturbance, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, etc.). Candidates must be comfortable working in field settings, including remote locations and winter weather. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions. Preference will be given to candidates with Western Canada relevant work experience. JOB DUTIES The job will involve execution of projects related to environmental monitoring and assessment, remediation, water supply development, and other environmental applications. The job duties include the following: Interacting with and reporting to clients and intermediate and senior project managers at Waterline. Completing Phase I, II, and III environmental site assessments, remediation, and reclamation. Supervising field drilling, well installation, and water quality sampling. Setting up and conducting/monitoring short and long-term well and aquifer tests. Compiling field notes and preparing report-ready graphs, figures, and tables. Proposal and report writing. OTHER This is your opportunity to collaborate with our community of technical experts, including Principal and Senior environmental scientists, hydrogeologists and engineers, who each have between 10 to 35 years of experience. The position offers: Flexible and friendly working environment based on a healthy work/life balance. Formal mentorship program. Full-time employment. Competitive base salary. Investment allowance. Field and office bonuses to top performers. Comprehensive benefits package that includes a health spending account and life insurance. In keeping with our Health & Safety Policy, individuals in safety sensitive positions are subject to pre-employment, pre-access (and in some client cases, random) alcohol & drug testing as well as driver’s abstract reviews. Waterline offers a comprehensive compensation package. We are also committed to flexible work hours and schedules, team-based work, training opportunities, and rewarding our star performers. While we appreciate all applications we receive, please be advised that only candidates that meet the qualification requirements will be contacted. Job Type: Full-time Salary: $30 per hour Benefits: Casual dress Dental care Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance Paid time off Vision care Schedule: Monday to Friday Supplemental pay types: Bonus pay Ability to commute/relocate: Calgary, AB T2G 3A5: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred) Edmonton, AB T5S 2J9: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred) Application question(s): Are you legally permitted to work in Canada? Do you have a degree in geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, environmental science, or geoscience? Waterline is not seeking chemical or mechanical engineering candidates. Do you have a valid driver's license? Education: Bachelor's Degree (required) Willingness to travel: 50% (required) Work Location: Calgary, AB T2G 3A5 or Edmonton, AB T5S 2J9

Calgary or Edmonton, AB JOB DESCRIPTION Waterline is seeking an intermediate to senior contaminant hydrogeologist, environmental scientist, risk assessor or environmental engineer based out of Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta. Experienced candidates living in other locations in Western Canada will also be considered. This is a unique opportunity to work with a team of over 80 hydrogeologists, environmental geoscientists, engineers, environmental scientists, GIS specialists, computer programmers, and support staff on complex contaminated site projects across Western Canada that are experts in risk assessment, hydrogeology, environmental site assessments, remediation and reclamation. Waterline’s senior staff with 10 years to over 35 years of experience are dedicated to guiding and mentoring our staff. There is no better place to advance your career in environmental consulting than Waterline Resources. QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate must have a university degree and be a critical thinker with highly developed problem-solving and project management skills. Specific qualifications are: Graduate or undergraduate degree in hydrogeology, geology, geological engineering, engineering geology, environmental engineering, biology, environmental science or related discipline with relevant work experience. 4 to 12 years of relevant consulting and/or industry experience, including reporting and project management. Professional designation (APEGA, EGBC, AIA, or ASPB). Interested in a technical lead and/or project management role that is primarily office-based. Strong work ethic with well-developed organizational and time management skills. Detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Working knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation in Western Canada. Prior field experience. A strong understanding in environmental sampling (groundwater and soil), reporting and technical writing. Experience with Phase I and II environmental site assessments, and/or groundwater monitoring, risk assessment (Tier 2 guideline development, SST, etc.), soil remediation, and/or reclamation. Experience with a variety of drilling techniques, soil and groundwater sampling, hydraulic conductivity testing, and/or monitoring well installation. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions. Preference will be given to candidates with Western Canada relevant work experience. JOB DUTIES The job involves managing projects and/or being a technical lead for contaminated site projects. The job duties include the following: Developing work plans and cost estimates based on client’s project scope and manage scope change appropriately. Proactively project managing to ensure projects are completed in a timely, efficient manner, satisfying the clients’ needs (scope, budget, deadline, etc.). Assist project staff with field and office-based tasks. Interacting with and reporting to clients and senior managers at Waterline. Report writing. Participating in technical meetings with clients, regulators, and stakeholders. OTHER This is your opportunity to collaborate with our community of technical experts, including Principal and Senior environmental scientists, hydrogeologists and engineers, who each have between 10 to 35 years of experience. The position offers: Flexible and friendly working environment based on a healthy work/life balance. Formal mentorship program. Full-time employment. Competitive base salary. Investment allowance. Field and office bonuses to top performers. Comprehensive benefits package that includes a health spending account and life insurance. Waterline offers a comprehensive compensation package. We are also committed to flexible work hours and schedules, team-based work, training opportunities, and rewarding our star performers. While we appreciate all applications we receive, please be advised that only candidates that meet the qualification requirements will be contacted. Job Type: Full-time Salary: From $40.00 per hour Benefits: Casual dress code Dental care Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance Paid time off Vision care Schedule: Monday to Friday Supplemental pay types: Bonus pay Ability to commute/relocate: Calgary, AB T2G 3A5 or Edmonton, AB TS5 1S7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (latter option is preferred). Application question(s): Are you legally permitted to work in Canada? Do you have a degree in geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, environmental science, or geoscience? Waterline is not currently seeking chemical or mechanical engineering candidates. Do you have a valid driver's license? Education: Bachelor's Degree (required) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Calgary or Edmonton, AB.

Calgary or Edmonton, AB JOB DESCRIPTION Waterline is seeking an intermediate to senior hydrogeologist or hydrogeological engineer based out of Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta. Experienced candidates living in other locations in Western Canada will also be considered. This is a unique opportunity to work with a team of over 80 hydrogeologists, environmental geoscientists, engineers, environmental scientists, GIS specialists, computer programmers, and support staff on hydrogeology projects across Western Canada. There is no better place to advance your career in hydrogeology than Waterline Resources. QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate must have a university degree and be a critical thinker with highly developed problem-solving and project management skills. Specific qualifications are as follows: Graduate or undergraduate degree in hydrogeology, geology, geological engineering or engineering geology. 4 to 12 years of relevant consulting and/or industry experience, including reporting and project management. Professional designation with APEGA and/or EGBC. Interested in a technical lead and/or project management role that is primarily office-based. Detail-oriented with excellent communication and organizational skills. Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Working knowledge and understanding of groundwater legislation in Western Canada. Demonstrated project experience working on complex hydrogeological assessments, and/or conceptual site model development. Proficiency in water well drilling, depressurization wells, pumping/injection testing, and/or regional monitoring programs. Prior field experience is required. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions. Preference will be given to candidates with Alberta or BC relevant work experience.   JOB DUTIES The job involves managing and/or being a technical lead for groundwater assessment and monitoring programs for municipal, oilsands mining and/or thermal oilsands clients. The job duties include the following: Develop work plans and cost estimates based on client’s project scope and managing scope change appropriately. Project manage proactively to ensure projects are completed in a timely, efficient manner, satisfying the clients’ needs (scope, budget, deadline, etc.). Assist project staff with field and office-based tasks. Interact with and report to clients and senior managers at Waterline. Proposal and report writing. Participate in technical meetings with clients, regulators, and stakeholders. OTHER This is your opportunity to collaborate with our community of technical experts, including Principal and Senior hydrogeologists and hydrogeological engineer with 10 to 35 years of experience. The position offers: Flexible and friendly working environment based on a healthy work/life balance. Formal mentorship program. Full-time employment. Competitive base salary. Investment allowance. Field and office bonuses to top performers. Comprehensive benefits package that includes a health spending account and life insurance. Waterline offers a comprehensive compensation package. We are also committed to flexible work hours and schedules, team-based work, training opportunities, and rewarding our star performers. While we appreciate all applications we receive, please be advised that only candidates that meet the qualification requirements will be contacted. Job Type: Full-time Salary: From $40.00 per hour Benefits: Casual dress Dental care Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance Paid time off Vision care Schedule: Monday to Friday Supplemental pay types: Bonus pay Ability to commute/relocate: Calgary, AB T2G 3A5 or Edmonton, AB TS5 1S7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred) Application question(s): Are you legally permitted to work in Canada? Do you have a degree in hydrogeology, geology, geological engineering or engineering geology? Waterline is not seeking chemical or mechanical engineering candidates. Do you have a valid driver's license? Education: Bachelor's Degree (required) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Calgary or Edmonton, AB.

Calgary, AB JOB DESCRIPTON Waterline is seeking a senior hydrogeologist with a background or interest in geochemistry, to support and expand our services group in Western Canada. This is an opportunity for a self-motivated individual to take ownership of their career and move it to the next level with a team of highly experienced hydrogeologists, engineers, and environmental scientists. The successful candidate should be able to support existing projects that require groundwater pathway evaluations that include geochemical and hydro-geochemical analysis. This is a full-time permanent position based out of our Calgary office. QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE The successful candidate must be a strong technical reviewer and self-motivated, with highly developed communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the following qualifications: An undergraduate (master’s preferred) degree from recognized University in hydrogeology, ideally with practical training or courses related to aqueous geochemistry; A minimum of 10 years of relevant industry experience and associated professional designation (P.Geo.); Working knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation in Western Canada; Experience with senior technical review including review of third-party technical reports; Leading and participating in technical and project management related client meetings; Interest or experience with technically challenging projects, sensitive stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and technical collaboration with multidisciplinary experts; Demonstrated project experience working on complex hydrogeological assessments involving source-pathway-receptor evaluation. Experience working with geochemical characterization of mine waste, surface water and groundwater quality evaluations would be a definite asset but is not required; Experience working on regional scale hydrogeological assessments; Strong work ethic with well-developed organizational and time management skills; Excellent written and oral communication; Proven ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team environment; Project management experience would be a definite asset, and; Experience in groundwater modelling would be a definite asset. JOB DUTIES Work as part of Waterline’s team of hydrogeologists, geoscientists, engineers, and environmental specialists on existing open pit mining projects in Alberta and BC; Provide technical input and advice, and review of hydrogeological reports regarding source pathway-receptor assessments relating to mine waste and water management; Project management, and project support for existing project managers in the planning, execution, and delivery of projects meeting client objectives; Participate in technical meetings with clients, regulators, and stakeholders; Support the development of work plans and cost-estimates, and; Provide mentorship to junior and intermediate level staff. WORKING ENVIRONMENT and COMPENSATION This is your opportunity to collaborate with our team of technical experts, including our Principal and Senior environmental scientists, hydrogeologists, and engineers, who each have 10-35 years of experience. The position offers: Flexible and friendly working environment; Flexible work hours and schedules, team-based collaboration, formal mentorship program and training opportunities; Waterline offers a comprehensive compensation package and compensation is commensurate with experience and performance and includes: Competitive base salary; Investment allowance; Field and office bonuses for top performers, and; Comprehensive benefits package that includes a health spending account and life insurance. In keeping with our Health & Safety Policy, individuals in safety sensitive positions are subject to pre-employment, pre-access alcohol & drug testing as well as drivers abstract reviews. While we appreciate all applications we receive, please be advised that only candidates that meet the qualification requirements will be contacted.

Waterline Resources Inc. Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following changes to the management structure effective December 7, 2022. These changes are part of a deliberate transition strategy along with the evolution of Waterline into an employee-owned corporation. Michelle Taylor will assume the role of President and will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s performance. Michelle brings extensive knowledge to this position that includes greater than 25 years of experience in both industry and consulting. While Michelle’s technical practice has focussed predominantly on liability management, with specific areas of experience covering environmental site assessment, risk management, remediation, regulatory approval and compliance, her transition into a corporate and business management role over the last several years makes Michelle highly qualified as Waterline’s next President. Eric Pringle will be assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) with his responsibilities encompassing operations across all groups. Eric brings extensive knowledge to this position that includes greater than 30 years of experience in consulting, providing hydrogeologic and environmental engineering services. Eric joined Waterline in 2007. In 2010, Eric became the first new shareholder in Waterline following the founding partners. As such, Eric has become instrumental in advancing the company, specifically through his technical skills, professional practice management, and health and safety. Steve Foley continues to be a technical resource and an active board member. Darren David remains as the Vice President of British Columbia operations focusing on continued growth and diversity, as well as an active board member.

In Canada, 8.9 Million people rely on groundwater for domestic use. Our groundwater supply, and your domestic water supply are incredibly important to many Canadians. We take the time to maintain our homes and cars regularly. Our groundwater wells also need an annual checkup as well. Learn more about what you can do to maintain your groundwater well in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

Waterline is excited to announce the evolution and expansion of ownership in the company. Since the three founders, Steve Foley, Darren David, and Jamie Wills started Waterline in 2000, it was always their goal to expand ownership to the employees. In 2010, Eric Pringle and Andrzej Slawinski became the first shareholders outside the founders group. Although Andrzej has recently reduced his role as a Technical Director, Eric has become a Principal leader and a primary shareholder in the corporation. In 2019 and 2020, twelve senior members of the company joined the ownership group, and this week, an additional thirteen staff will also join that group. “As a founder, I am extremely proud of the contribution and development of our staff throughout the history of Waterline, and I consider the transition in ownership to employees that have been essential to our success as our greatest accomplishment.” Steve Foley, President and Principal Hydrogeologist. Waterline is a mid-sized hydrogeology and environmental consulting firm built on the foundation of physical and contaminant hydrogeology expertise operating in Western Canada. Our team of highly qualified geoscientists, soil and reclamation scientists, and engineers are industry leaders in providing environmental consulting services and regulatory support.

To all of our friends in B.C. dealing with yet another natural disaster that will undoubtedly extend well into the future, we want to send you a heart felt "you are strong enough to get through this". Hand in hand we can all persevere in these trying times. The BC government has compiled a list of helpful links and resources to help aid all of the people with drinking water affected by the floods. We hope that this one small but important piece of the puzzle will help in the path of recovery. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0205-002215

Step 1: Is my water for domestic or non-domestic use? Do I need to license my groundwater use? Domestic use does not need to be licensed. To determine if you meet the criteria of a domestic user please see the list of definitions in the Water Sustainability Act. Step 2: Am I an existing groundwater user or a new groundwater user? Existing groundwater users are determined based on the first date of water use. Did you start using water before March 1, 2016 or after? Find more information on the government website about existing and new users. Step 3: I am a Non-Domestic user so how do I license my (New or Existing) groundwater use? You will need to assemble information about your groundwater use specific to the property. You may choose to consult with a professional who can help you find the information you require or complete the process on your own. Either way, the resources are available and we can help. Waterline is a hydrogeology-focused consulting company that is in the business of navigating water-related issues and the groundwater licensing process. We would be happy to assist you with the licensing process and can provide a free consultation to get your application started. For more information on how we can help, please contact our Water Sustainability Coordinator Steph Righi at 250-585-0801 or srighi@waterlineresources.com #waterlicence #applicationfees #waterfees #firstintimefirstinright #groundwaterlicensing

When you apply for a groundwater license, or have a professional apply on your behalf, you’ll need to specify the date of first use of the water. This is known as your “date of precedence” or “priority date”. Groundwater users that began using their water at an earlier date (senior licensees) are given priority over more recent users (junior licensees) under the First-in-Time First-in-Right (FITFIR) priority system. Your date of precedence could become important during times of water scarcity or drought, or if a new user proposes to withdraw water at a rate and volume that could affect your water needs. The BC provincial government can apply a number of regulatory options to protect the rights of water users. The date of precedence establishes who’s allowed their full allocation of water first during times of water scarcity or drought. If you’re an existing user and you apply for a water license before March 1, 2022, you’ll be granted a date of precedence based on the date you began using groundwater, as determined by evidence submitted with your groundwater license application. Evidence could include: A well log or record provided by the driller. Waterline is often able to locate well records online if applicants don’t have copies; Other records and invoices related to the construction of your well or related infrastructure (pump, treatment etc.); Well maintenance records; and, Photographs. In the event you don’t have any evidence to support your date of first use, Waterline can discuss with the government on your behalf to come up with an alternative solution. If you wait until after March 1, 2022 to apply, you’ll be treated as a new applicant and given a junior priority date based on the date of your application. If you are interested in having a professional create and submit an application package to the government on your behalf, please contact: Steph Righi, Waterline's Water Sustainability Coordinator at: Phone: 1-844-585-0802 Ext. 112 Email : wsa@waterlineresources.com #watersustainabilityact #bcwaterlicense #waterapplication #waterpermitting #wsa #groundwater #waterlicensing

Shallow permeable aquifers have the potential to disrupt and delay infrastructure projects if not properly accounted for in the initial project planning stages. The presence of shallow aquifers and dewatering demands are an often overlooked component in the infrastructure planning phase, whether the project involves a mine pit or an underground structure such as a basement or parking garage. Dewatering is the process of lowering the water table below the lowest excavation depth by means of a pumping well system to allow for a safe and effective excavation procedure by increasing wall stability and eliminating potential groundwater infiltration into the excavation pit. Costs associated with dewatering can spiral a project budget out of control if proper consideration is not given to subsurface assessment and can diminish the economic feasibility of an entire project. Aquifer dewatering is a major concern when the project is proximal to a surface water body such as a river or lake, which generally results in a very shallow water table. Seasonal variations of the water table level can add an extra complexity to project timing, depending on the magnitude of the variations. If your project is close to a surface water body or a sensitive ecological environment, it is advantageous to consult with an experienced hydrogeologist during the project planning or proposal stage to avoid unforeseen and costly oversights. Taking Sediments into Consideration In Alberta, shallow aquifers generally comprise unconsolidated sediments derived from peri-glacial outwash processes resulting in fluvial and lacustrine depositional environments; the unconsolidated sediments can range from a clay till to clean fluvial sand/gravel. In terms of dewatering, both fine and coarser sediments can be problematic. Fine and coarse sediments can be heavily saturated and difficult to dewater due to varying permeability or hydraulic conductivity. Generally speaking, finer sediments cannot sustain larger pumping rates required in dewatering projects. Coarse sediments require greater pumping rates and more demanding groundwater discharge management methods to adequately dewater higher hydraulic conductivity sediments. An understanding of the aquifer sediment size and sorting is crucial because increased groundwater velocities from aggressive pumping can mobilize finer sediments from within the aquifer and create piping (internal erosion) conditions that can lead to ground subsistence and/or pumping equipment destruction. Creating a Conceptual Model A site conceptual model is integral to a successful dewatering plan because without a conceptual model, the appropriate dewatering system cannot be confidently selected. The conceptual model development requires, at minimum, the installation of numerous piezometers around the site. Piezometers provide lithological data (during installation), water table elevation data, and groundwater chemistry data. Although often overlooked, these data can be extracted during a well-planned geotechnical program when completed in consultation with a professional hydrogeologist, and result in considerable cost savings. The lithology of the site generally determines the dewatering method. The two most common shallow dewatering methods are large diameter vertical pumping wells or a wellpoint system (image below). Large diameter pumping wells are appropriate for coarser sediment conditions, where the small proportion of fine sediments can be developed out with a submersible pump, resulting in low turbidity discharge and robust well deliverability. Wellpoint systems are appropriate for finer sediment conditions, where persistent fine sediment production may be an issue. A wellpoint system consists of a series of small diameter wells that are connected by a header pipe to a wellpoint pump and can also incorporate a separator tank into the system for settling fine sediments (see figure below). The pump creates a vacuum in the header pipe drawing water up from the ground, however the dewatering depth cannot exceed six meters below ground (depending on site elevation above sea level) due to inherent vacuum pump limitations. Therefore, vertical wells must be utilized for dewatering to depths greater than six meters below ground. Cost must be considered as part of the dewatering system decision as the design and intricacies of the wellpoint system can be very expensive compared to vertical well installation. A proper understanding of fundamental aquifer properties such as hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, storativity (usually simplified to specific yield in unconfined aquifers), heterogeneity, and anisotropy are critical to the successful design of a dewatering system. Various methods are available to estimate aquifer properties such as slug or bailer tests, pumping tests or even grain size analysis by sieving. The conceptual model should be used to guide the planning process for the selection of a dewatering method (i.e., a slug/bailer test is generally not appropriate for gravel sediments). A slug or bailer test, often conducted as part of the initial geotechnical program, is a simple and cost effective way to estimate hydraulic conductivity but is representative of only a small volume of geological material surrounding the well and may not be a representative elementary volume (REV) of site as a whole. Pumping tests are the preferred method to holistically characterize the aquifer under the site and to provide best estimates of transmissivity and storativity (if observation wells are installed). Transmissivity and storativity estimates from the pumping test can be used to calibrate a predictive forward analytical model to guide dewatering decisions such as dewatering system type (i.e., vertical wells or wellpoint), well quantity, well spacing/distribution, pumping rates, pumping duration and expected volumes. Empirical estimates of heterogeneity and anisotropy are difficult to calculate but a qualified hydrogeologist can estimate these parameters based on lithology and parameterization of analytical models. Adhering to Regulations The dewatering process can require continuous pumping for weeks to months which, depending on the site size, can produce tens to hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of groundwater discharge. Pumping must continue throughout the pre-construction and construction phase. Dealing with such large volumes in tanks or water trucks can be cumbersome and expensive so the most practicable option is to discharge to the surface. However, the dewatering contractor or operator must be cognizant of local regulations and the ecological sensitivity of the area (i.e., national parks, wetlands, fish-bearing streams, etc.) prior to discharging groundwater to the environment. Discharged water cannot be discharged directly to a surface water body without prior regulatory approval or be close enough to a surface water body in which foreign debris or sediment are introduced via erosion. For shallow dewatering sites, it is the utmost importance to discharge groundwater sufficiently distant from the site during dewatering to avoid artificial recharge of the aquifer being dewatered. Special consideration must be given to groundwater quality (chemistry) while dewatering, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. In Banff National Park, for example, limited discharge options are available for dewatering within the Banff town site; the municipal stormwater system is the only viable solution to move such large volumes. However, the stormwater system is routed directly to the Bow River, therefore stringent water quality guidelines to protect aquatic life must be met, such as the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Freshwater Aquatic Life and Environmental Quality Guidelines for Alberta Surface Waters. Consequently, discharge water must be held on site or temporarily trucked off site until three consecutive days of water sampling confirm the compliance and reproducibility of the water quality results with the aforementioned guidelines. A contingency plan should be arranged in the event that the water quality does not meet the relevant guidelines. Similar challenges to meeting discharge criteria occur throughout Alberta and are based on municipal, provincial, and federal regulations. Successful Dewatering Once the aquifer has been sufficiently dewatered and the infrastructure foundation or underground structure has been constructed, permanent dewatering systems may be necessary (where permitted). These permanent dewatering systems can include, but are not limited to, weeping tile and/or a sump. In summary, a successful dewatering program should include: Early engagement with an experienced hydrogeologist, prior to the geotechnical program, to avoid unforeseen and costly oversights and to advise on applicable environmental guidelines to the site; Development of a conceptual site model through a preliminary exploration program including drilling and installing of piezometers – this program can be combined with the geotechnical assessment resulting in considerable cost-savings; Using the conceptual model to select the most appropriate site-specific testing method to estimate aquifer properties pertinent to dewatering; Creation of a calibrated predictive forward analytical model to guide critical dewatering decisions such as dewatering system type, well spacing/distribution, etc.; Having a primary and contingency plan to manage large amounts of fresh or potentially contaminated discharged groundwater; Placement of a permanent dewatering system (if necessary) once the foundation or underground structure has been constructed. Waterline Resources Inc. is a water resource, environmental and information services consulting firm based out of Calgary, AB and Nanaimo, BC, with satellite offices throughout Western Canada. Waterline’s staff includes scientists, engineers, computer scientists and data management technicians that specialize in water well design, water quality analysis and aquifer management. We pride ourselves on exercising scientific principles while working closely with our clients to establish strong relationships for project success. If you have questions about dewatering or require any additional groundwater services, please emails us at info@waterlineresources.com or give us a call at 403-243-5611.