News

OCE-supported Panel Issues Report on Sustainable Water Well Infrastructure

On March 9, 2006, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. hosted the release of the Sustainable Water Well Infrastructure (SWWI) Expert Panel report entitled: Water Well Sustainability in Ontario.

The SWWI project was launched by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to improve the sustainability of water well infrastructure in the province. The SWWI project’s mandate was to investigate, plan and execute innovative approaches to well maintenance and monitoring in order to extend the integrity of water well infrastructure in Ontario.

OCE -- through our Centre for Earth and Environmental Technologies -- was asked by the Ontario Ministry of Environment to assemble and support an independent, multidisciplinary expert panel to carry out the study. The Panel’s report is comprehensive in its research, analysis and recommendations (click here to download the report as a PDF file).

“By and large the water supply from private and municipal wells appears to be abundant and safe. We believe that this report provides opportunities for Ontario to further improve the longevity of water wells through education programs aimed at well owners and better enforcement of existing regulations,” said Dr. Novakowski, Panel Chair.

OCE was pleased with the outcome of the Expert Panel.

“This report is another example of what collaboration can achieve and illustrates the ability of OCE to come up with appropriate solutions. OCE is often approached because it is a third-party, objective entity that can make things happen,” said Dr. Dan McGillivray, Managing Director, Centre for Earth and Environmental Technologies, OCE. “It is able to do this because of its expertise, knowledge and comprehensive network within academia, government and industry.”

The SWWI Panel and the program were launched in September 2003 at the Grand River Water Forum. Panel members were selected based on the Royal Society of Canada’s criterion that includes independence, a balanced perspective and broad and relevant sector experience. The Panel members are:

Dr. Kent Novakowski, Panel Chair, PhD (Hydrogeology), MSc (Hydrogeology), BSc (Geological Sciences), Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Queens University. Panel Specialty: hydrogeology, microbiological interactions in a well environment.

Brian Beatty, BSc (Water Resources Engineering), President, WB Beatty & Associates Limited. Panel Specialty: hydrogeology/groundwater resources.

Dr. Mary Jane Conboy, PhD (Land Resource Science), MSc (Geology), BSc (Biology and Geology), Water Resources Researcher, Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Panel Specialty: rural water wells, bacterial transport.

John Lebedin, MSc (Hydrogeology), BSc (Geological Engineering), Manager, Earth Sciences Unit for PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Panel Specialty: sustainability of water well infrastructure.