To drill core wells in the Lower Grand River watershed, southern Ontario

Description

The Geological Survey of Canada of the Geoscience and Earth Monitoring (GEMS) Sector of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is carrying out a hydrogeological characterization project in southern Ontario, in the lower part of the Grand River watershed (~2000 km2). Groundwater flow patterns and the occurrence of poor-quality water are complex across this region, which is affected by different natural and anthropogenic contaminants. The exact number of boreholes and depths to be drilled as part of this contract will be determined in the field based on early results and budget considerations. It is anticipated that boreholes will be core drilled at four (4) sites, with the option of adding three (3) more, and then converted them into environmental monitoring wells. Depending on available budget, sites will comprise either 1) a PQ overburden cored hole and monitoring well screened at the interface between the surficial deposits and bedrock, and another nearby HQ rock cored monitoring well open in its bedrock section, or 2) a HQ rock cored monitoring well open in its bedrock section. The total drilled depth of the wells completed into the bedrock would be approximately 50 m (165 feet), but if budget allows, two of them would be deeper (likely 65 m, i.e. 215 feet) deep. These wells will be used to assess composition and characteristics of the surficial sediment and bedrock units, as well as collect groundwater samples. The drilling work would need to be begin third week of September 2026.