Attendees enjoyed the presentation by Steve Holysh and Rick Gerber of the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition. They presented work being done for the Region’s unique groundwater management program. Rapid growth and expansion on the Moraine triggered the program into action about 20 years ago, to more fully understand the extent, quality and movement of the groundwater resource.
Steve began the presentation with a look at where and what types of data are collected as part of the program. Water levels from wells across the region have been collected, many from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Conservation Authority network, as well as their own network.
Hydrogeological field tests are performed to estimate groundwater parameters, and groundwater samples collected and tested for chemistry. Geological data is also an imperative part of the program; historical maps, outcrop studies, and drill records provide insight into subsurface features such as tunnel channels.
Rick continued the presentation with a discussion of how these integrated data sets are incorporated into numerical and site conceptual models, and how they are used to test estimates of hydrogeological parameters. As more data is added to these models, the more representative they become, allowing better management decisions to be made. Overall, their presentation stressed the importance of collecting and organizing detailed data sets, and sharing the information.
For more information about the work Steve & Rick are involved with, visit: http://www.ypdt-camc.ca/
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Steve Holysh, M.Sc.
Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Management Program
Steve graduated with an M.Sc. degree in hydrogeology from the University of Alberta. Upon graduation, consulting was the way to go and Steve spent 5 years with Gartner Lee Ltd. in their Markham, Ontario Office before moving to the Regional Municipality of Halton just outside of Toronto. At the Region, Steve developed the Region’s Aquifer Management Plan, a comprehensive regional plan to understand and manage the groundwater resource across Halton. In 2001 Steve moved to the Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition consisting of nine CAs with jurisdiction on the Oak Ridges Moraine. In this position, Steve is primarily focused on the York Peel Durham Toronto groundwater program, a program to more fully understand and manage the groundwater resource across the Oak Ridges Moraine area.
Steve has also served:
- as the former president of the Canadian Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists;
- on the Technical Experts Committee to set up the direction for the Province’s source water protection program;
- on the Council of Canadian Academies’ panel to prepare the paper “The Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Canada” for the Federal Government.
Rick Gerber, Ph.D., P.Geo.
Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Management Program
Rick is currently a Senior Hydrogeologist (Oak Ridges Moraine Hydrogeology Program) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto at Scarborough (renewal pending). He obtained his undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences at the University of Waterloo and graduate degrees in Hydrogeology at the University of Toronto. His expertise gained through research and consulting activities focuses on:
- groundwater flow and solute transport characteristics of relatively low-permeability porous media (aquitards);
- delineation and quantification of regional groundwater flow systems;
- groundwater recharge; and
- groundwater-surface water interaction.
Present projects involve understanding and quantifying the flow system for watersheds situated within south-central Ontario on behalf of various levels of government including conservation authorities, regional municipalities, the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario. This regional flow system understanding provides the foundation for water resources planning, particularly as related to the requirements of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Ontario Clean Water Act.
