Alberta
Licensing
The
Groundwater Evaluation Guidelines (PDF) document details the
information required when submitting an application for groundwater
exploration or development activities under the Water Act.
The process
for licencing
agricultural use water wells (less than 10 cubic meters/day) is available at the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Licencing Water Wells for Agricultural Water Use up to 10 cubic meters per Day page.
Well Data
The
Alberta Water Well Information Database website provides information on individual groundwater wells and
associated groundwater data. The data base contains about 500,000
records that have information about individual water well drilling
reports, chemical analysis reports up to the end of 1986, springs,
flowing shot holes, test holes and pump tests conducted on wells.
The Groundwater Observation Well Network (GOWN)is
a network of groundwater wells that are monitored for groundwater
levels and water quality. The network was started in 1957 and 200 wells
are currently monitored. Historical water levels can be extracted and
some wells in the network also monitor a variety of groundwater quality
parameters.
The map Groundwater Well Density in Alberta (2001) (PDF) shows the density of groundwater wells.
Groundwater Studies / Assessments
Regional groundwater assessments have been completed for much of the
province that provide information to
determine the status of the groundwater resources in an area and what
steps should be taken to best manage the resource. They also can be
used to help identify constraints to and opportunities for rural
economic development. Information the Regional
Groundwater Assessment Reports and other studies are available at:
Groundwater Quality
Publications on protecting groundwater from contamination due to
agricultural activities are available on Alberta Agriculture and Rural
Development's
Soils and Water Publications (Soil & Water Conservation section) page. Topics include:
- Managing Nitrogen to Protect Water Quality (FS576-1)
- Managing Phosphorus to Protect Water Quality (FS576-2)
- Managing Feedlot Runoff to Protect Water Quality (FS576-3)
- Managing Cow-Calf Operations to Protect Water Quality (FS576-4)
- Protect Groundwater Quality - Minimize the Risks (FS576-5)
- Manure Management to Protect Water Quality (FS576-6)
- Hog Production and Water Quality: Minimizing the Risks (FS576-1)
Water Quality, Chapter 2.6 of the Best Management Practices, Environmental Manual for Crop Producers in Alberta discusses the transport of agricultural contaminants to surface and groundwater sources.
On their Water Supply Documents page Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has information on dealing with dissolved gases and iron bacteria in wells.
Aquifer Vulnerability
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has information on the
vulnerability of groundwater to contamination from surface sources:
Well Construction and Maintenance Resource Material
The
Water Wells That Last Generations
workbook provides well information in twelve modules starting at understanding
groundwater, through the planning, design and construction phases, to
maintenance and decommissioning.
On their Water Supply Documents page, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has a number of publications related to water systems and wells, including:
- pumps, yard hydrants, pressure tanks
- spring development
- licencing wells for agricultural use
- monitoring wells using an electric sounder
The Alberta Environment Aquifer Pump Tests factsheet discusses the use of pump tests on wells to determine an aquifer's hydraulic parameters.
The Water Well Restoration and Replacement Program
provides funding for the repair or replacement of water sources
damaged by energy related activities. The program is funded
by energy company levies paid to the Energy Resources Conservation
Board.
Groundwater Related Associations
The
Alberta Water Well Drillers Association
website provides technical information related to shock chlorination,
and contact information for the well construction and development
industry.