2. Presentation Overview
Introductions - Who is 4 Peaks Engineering Services, Inc.?
An Overview of Groundwater
Origin / Occurrence of Groundwater
Some Basic Definitions
Hydrologic Cycle
Groundwater Movement
Depletion from Over Pumping
Susceptible to Contamination
Importance as a Resource
Open Discussion (Question and Answers)
Introductions - Who is 4 Peaks Engineering Services, Inc.?
An Overview of Groundwater
Origin / Occurrence of Groundwater
Some Basic Definitions
Hydrologic Cycle
Groundwater Movement
Depletion from Over Pumping
Susceptible to Contamination
Importance as a Resource
Open Discussion (Question and Answers)
3. Who is 4 Peaks?
An Arizona based small engineering and environmental
firm with office in the metro Phoenix area;
Our key staff / project managers have extensive experience
with small utilities throughout Arizona;
4 Peaks specializes in Provides engineering services that
include but are not limited to design and permitting of
infrastructure improvements, feasibility studies, master
planning, construction management/oversight, water
quality and treatment, technical reporting and project
management / coordination.
An Arizona based small engineering and environmental
firm with office in the metro Phoenix area;
Our key staff / project managers have extensive experience
with small utilities throughout Arizona;
4 Peaks specializes in Provides engineering services that
include but are not limited to design and permitting of
infrastructure improvements, feasibility studies, master
planning, construction management/oversight, water
quality and treatment, technical reporting and project
management / coordination.
4. An Overview of Groundwater
Groundwater is the water that occurs beneath the earths’
surface.
When precipitation falls on the land surface, it:
Evaporates;
Runs over land surface (runoff) into streams, rivers, lakes,
oceans etc.;
Infiltrates into the ground and percolates downward and
becomes groundwater.
Most of Arizona’s groundwater occurs in materials
deposited by rivers and streams, called alluvium.
Groundwater is the water that occurs beneath the earths’
surface.
When precipitation falls on the land surface, it:
Evaporates;
Runs over land surface (runoff) into streams, rivers, lakes,
oceans etc.;
Infiltrates into the ground and percolates downward and
becomes groundwater.
Most of Arizona’s groundwater occurs in materials
deposited by rivers and streams, called alluvium.
5. An Overview of Groundwater
Climate (precipitation) controls the availability of
water in an area
Geology (rock type and structure / unconsolidated
sediments) controls the capacity to store and facilitate
groundwater movement in the subsurface.
Climate (precipitation) controls the availability of
water in an area
Geology (rock type and structure / unconsolidated
sediments) controls the capacity to store and facilitate
groundwater movement in the subsurface.
8. Some Basic Definitions
An Aquifer is a body of rock or sediment that yields
significant amounts of groundwater to wells or springs
An Aquitard is a body of rock or sediment that is capable of
storing groundwater but does not yield it in significant or
economic quantities
An Aquifer is a body of rock or sediment that yields
significant amounts of groundwater to wells or springs
An Aquitard is a body of rock or sediment that is capable of
storing groundwater but does not yield it in significant or
economic quantities
9. Some Basic Definitions
Water Table is the “surface” or top of the water surface in the saturated part of
an aquifer.
10. Some Basic Definitions
Discharge is the volume of water that passes a
given location within a given period of time.
Usually expressed in cubic feet per second.
Permeability is the ease with which fluids can pass
through a body of soil or rock. Permeability varies
over several orders of magnitude. Aquifers are
often referred to as having high or low
permeability.
Discharge is the volume of water that passes a
given location within a given period of time.
Usually expressed in cubic feet per second.
Permeability is the ease with which fluids can pass
through a body of soil or rock. Permeability varies
over several orders of magnitude. Aquifers are
often referred to as having high or low
permeability.
11. Some Basic Definitions
A Groundwater Basin is
defined as an alluvial
aquifer with reasonably
well defined boundaries
12.
13. Some Basic Definitions
Porosity is the space between solid particles of rock or soil
that can be filled by fluids. It is measured in percentage.
Some porosity ranges for various aquifer materials are as
follows:
clay 45-55 %
sand 30-40
sandstone 10-20
shale 1-2
limestone 1-10 (or larger)
Porosity is the space between solid particles of rock or soil
that can be filled by fluids. It is measured in percentage.
Some porosity ranges for various aquifer materials are as
follows:
clay 45-55 %
sand 30-40
sandstone 10-20
shale 1-2
limestone 1-10 (or larger)
14. Some Basic Definitions
Groundwater Withdrawal refers to water that is
pumped or removed from a ground and/or surface-
water source for use. The use can be agricultural,
potable, etc. Depending on the quantity, usually
measured in acre feet per unit time (day, month, year
etc.)
Groundwater Withdrawal refers to water that is
pumped or removed from a ground and/or surface-
water source for use. The use can be agricultural,
potable, etc. Depending on the quantity, usually
measured in acre feet per unit time (day, month, year
etc.)
15. A Watershed is a defined land area that
drains water to a particular stream, river, or
lake. It is a land feature that can be
identified by tracing a line along the highest
elevations between two areas on a map,
often a ridge. Large watersheds, like the
Mississippi River basin contain thousands
of smaller watersheds
A Watershed is a defined land area that
drains water to a particular stream, river, or
lake. It is a land feature that can be
identified by tracing a line along the highest
elevations between two areas on a map,
often a ridge. Large watersheds, like the
Mississippi River basin contain thousands
of smaller watersheds
16. Some Basic Definitions
When groundwater is pumped from a well, the water
table around the well is typically drawn down around
the well into a depression shaped like an inverted
cone. This draw down of water table is referred to as
the Cone of Depression
When groundwater is pumped from a well, the water
table around the well is typically drawn down around
the well into a depression shaped like an inverted
cone. This draw down of water table is referred to as
the Cone of Depression
18. Some Basic Definitions
The difference in groundwater elevations or head
between two points / wells, divided by the distance
between the two points / wells is referred to as the
Hydraulic Gradient. In this instance: (h2-h1)/L.
The difference in groundwater elevations or head
between two points / wells, divided by the distance
between the two points / wells is referred to as the
Hydraulic Gradient. In this instance: (h2-h1)/L.
19. Hydrologic Cycle
The Hydrologic Cycle is the circuit of water movement from the oceans to the
atmosphere and to the Earth and return to the atmosphere through various
stages or processes such as precipitation, interception, runoff, infiltration,
percolation, storage, evaporation, and transportation.
20. Groundwater Movement
Groundwater moves in response to gravity. Flows from
a high point to a low point or elevation.
Rate of travel or movement is dependent on the
steepness or gradient and the permeability of the
aquifer.
Groundwater flow paths vary greatly in length, depth
and travel time
Groundwater pumped from wells can be days to
thousands of years old.
Groundwater moves in response to gravity. Flows from
a high point to a low point or elevation.
Rate of travel or movement is dependent on the
steepness or gradient and the permeability of the
aquifer.
Groundwater flow paths vary greatly in length, depth
and travel time
Groundwater pumped from wells can be days to
thousands of years old.
25. Depletion from Over Pumping
Since the 1950s groundwater pumping has
doubled.
In Arizona, land subsidence or “earth fissures” are
common and widespread more than most people
are aware of. ADWR has a whole series of maps
delineating such areas.
Land subsidence from over pumping reduces
aquifer-system storage capacity
Restricts land use
Damages infrastructure such as water conveyance
systems, highways, roads, bridges etc.
Since the 1950s groundwater pumping has
doubled.
In Arizona, land subsidence or “earth fissures” are
common and widespread more than most people
are aware of. ADWR has a whole series of maps
delineating such areas.
Land subsidence from over pumping reduces
aquifer-system storage capacity
Restricts land use
Damages infrastructure such as water conveyance
systems, highways, roads, bridges etc.
27. Depletion from Over Pumping
The amount of water pumped exceeds the amount of
water recharged over a period of years causes
compaction of the aquifer materials and land
subsidence. This is also known as Groundwater
Overdraft.
The amount of water pumped exceeds the amount of
water recharged over a period of years causes
compaction of the aquifer materials and land
subsidence. This is also known as Groundwater
Overdraft.
29. Susceptible to Contamination
Groundwater is extremely susceptible to contamination .
Contamination can occur naturally within the aquifer
materials such as Arsenic or it can be from man made uses
such as Nitrates from agricultural activities.
Other more complex yet common contaminants that occur
mostly in urban areas include gasoline and diesel
components from leaking underground storage tanks
(benzene, toluene etc.) or chlorinated solvents like TCE,
PCE etc. from industrial activities. These contaminants
can be very cost prohibitive and very expensive to clean up.
Groundwater is extremely susceptible to contamination .
Contamination can occur naturally within the aquifer
materials such as Arsenic or it can be from man made uses
such as Nitrates from agricultural activities.
Other more complex yet common contaminants that occur
mostly in urban areas include gasoline and diesel
components from leaking underground storage tanks
(benzene, toluene etc.) or chlorinated solvents like TCE,
PCE etc. from industrial activities. These contaminants
can be very cost prohibitive and very expensive to clean up.
30. Susceptible to Contamination
Most common rural setting contamination includes
leaking or failing septic systems.
Most common rural setting contamination includes
leaking or failing septic systems.
31. Other sources of contamination in rural areas include mining
activities, landfills, agricultural pesticides and herbicides etc.
32. Importance as a Resource
It represents approximately 96% of our total water
resources.
Serves as drinking water for over 50% of the US population.
In Rural Arizona, roughly 100% of the population relies on
groundwater
More than two third of all groundwater in the US is used
for agricultural purposes.
It represents approximately 96% of our total water
resources.
Serves as drinking water for over 50% of the US population.
In Rural Arizona, roughly 100% of the population relies on
groundwater
More than two third of all groundwater in the US is used
for agricultural purposes.
33. Open Discussion - Closing thoughts?
Overall summary and “take home” pointers
Open discussion
34. Thank you for your time
Contact information:
4 Peaks Engineering Services
Waseem Khan, PG
16810 Ave. of the Fountains, Ste. 204
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.
Phone: 480.889.2328
Email: wkhan@4peakseng.com
Contact information:
4 Peaks Engineering Services
Waseem Khan, PG
16810 Ave. of the Fountains, Ste. 204
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.
Phone: 480.889.2328
Email: wkhan@4peakseng.com
