What Is a Hydrogeological Site Assessment?
A hydrogeological assessment evaluates groundwater conditions, aquifer characteristics, surface water connections, and potential impacts to water resources. It helps property owners, developers, municipalities, and project teams understand how water moves through a site and how that movement may affect design, permitting, construction, and long-term management.
Active Earth’s hydrogeology team includes four highly qualified hydrogeologists with more than 100 years of combined experience throughout Western Canada. Our team supports groundwater supply projects, geoexchange projects, stormwater management, excavation dewatering, aquifer studies, and environmental impact studies for releases to ground and surface water.
Why Groundwater Information Matters
Groundwater can influence project feasibility, construction methods, water supply planning, and environmental compliance. Understanding groundwater conditions early helps reduce uncertainty and avoid costly changes later.
A clear hydrogeological assessment can help you:
- Understand groundwater flow direction and seasonal water table behaviour
- Evaluate water quality and potential treatment needs
- Identify connections between groundwater and surface water
- Support subdivision, development, or permitting requirements
- Plan excavation dewatering and stormwater infiltration
- Assess potential risks to nearby wells, aquifers, streams, or wetlands
This information gives your project team the data needed to make practical design and management decisions.
Our Proven Hydrogeological Process
Active Earth provides hydrogeological services that are clear, efficient, and suited to each project’s purpose. We develop the scope based on site condition, regulatory requirements, access, available data, and the questions that need to be answered.
Background Review and Scope Development
We begin by reviewing available information, including mapping, nearby wells, geology, land use, watercourses, previous studies, and project plans. This helps define the purpose of the work and identify the right level of investigation.
Field Investigation and Testing
Where needed, our team completes field programs that may include drilling, borehole logging, groundwater monitoring wells, water level measurements, hydraulic testing, and water quality sampling. We use these results to assess aquifer conditions and the movement of groundwater through soil and rock.
Data Review and Interpretation
We interpret field data in the context of the local geology, groundwater flow, surface water connections, and project requirements. This may include evaluation of hydraulic conductivity, groundwater gradients, infiltration potential, geochemical conditions, and contaminant transport pathways where applicable.
Reporting and Recommendations
Our reports provide clear findings, practical recommendations, and supporting information for design, permitting, and environmental management. We focus on the decisions your team needs to make, not unnecessary technical detail.
Water Supply, Water Quality, and Aquifer Review
Active Earth has extensive experience assessing groundwater supply potential and water quality in both overburden and bedrock settings. Our hydrogeologists support well siting, well design, drilling supervision, pumping test analysis, geochemical analysis, and recommendations for water treatment.
These assessments may consider:
- Groundwater supply potential
- Well yield and long-term performance
- Drawdown effects on nearby wells
- Water quality for intended use
- Bacteriological, chemical, and physical water parameters
- Groundwater Protection Regulation and Water Sustainability Act requirements
- Municipal reporting needs
A reliable groundwater review helps confirm whether the water source is suitable for the intended use and whether additional management or treatment is required.
Groundwater, Surface Water, and Environmental Considerations
Groundwater and surface water are often connected. Active Earth assesses these connections for water supply projects, wastewater disposal studies, environmental impact studies, contaminated sites, and construction planning.
Our work may include evaluation of:
- Groundwater flow models
- Aquifer recharge and discharge conditions
- Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water
- Groundwater at risk of containing pathogens
- Contaminant plume stability
- Fate and transport through soil, rock, and water
- Potential impacts to nearby streams, wetlands, or surface water bodies
This environmental review supports responsible development while helping protect water resources.
Construction Dewatering and Water Management
Many development projects involve excavation below or near the water table. These projects require careful coordination between the hydrogeologist, geotechnical engineer, contractor, and project owner.
Active Earth supports construction water management by evaluating groundwater ingress, hydrostatic pressure, dewatering needs, discharge requirements, and potential treatment requirements. We also assist with approvals under the Water Sustainability Act where short-term groundwater diversion or related works are required.
Our recommendations help project teams manage water safely, reduce construction risk, and keep work moving.
Stormwater, Wastewater, and Infiltration Studies
Hydrogeological studies are often required when a project relies on infiltration, wastewater disposal, or stormwater management. Active Earth assesses infiltration rates, groundwater mounding, groundwater travel times, dilution, and sorption capacity where these factors are relevant.
These services support:
- Stormwater infiltration design
- Wastewater disposal environmental impact studies
- Groundwater mounding review
- Surface water protection
- Practical mitigation measures
- Environmental management practices for groundwater and surface water resources
This work helps confirm whether the ground can accept water safely and whether additional design or monitoring measures are needed.
Our Experience in Action
Active Earth’s hydrogeological services support a wide range of projects across Western Canada, including:
- Groundwater supply development
- Community, domestic, industrial, and irrigation wells
- Geoexchange projects
- Aquifer studies
- Stormwater management projects
- Excavation dewatering
- Wastewater disposal studies
- Environmental impact studies
- Contaminated sites and plume assessment
- First Nations water supply and wastewater projects
Our multidisciplinary team connects hydrogeology with environmental assessment, permitting, remediation, engineering, and construction support when projects require more than one technical discipline.
Why Choose Active Earth for Hydrogeological Services?
Experienced hydrogeologists. Our team brings more than 100 years of combined hydrogeological experience across Western Canada.
Practical recommendations. We translate technical water, aquifer, and groundwater data into clear guidance that supports design and planning.
Integrated services. Active Earth connects hydrogeological services with environmental permitting, site investigation, remediation, water management, and biology services.
Regulatory understanding. We understand Water Sustainability Act requirements, municipal expectations, and the reporting needs that often apply to groundwater and surface water projects.
Field-to-report continuity. Our staff understand the goals of each project, collect defensible data, and prepare reports that help clients move forward with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a hydrogeological assessment?
When is a hydrogeological review required?
How does groundwater affect construction?
Can Active Earth assess water quality?
Can Active Earth help with Water Sustainability Act approvals?
Contact Us for Hydrogeological Support
If your project requires groundwater review, water quality testing, aquifer evaluation, dewatering support, or water management planning, Active Earth is ready to help. We will define the right scope, collect the right data, and provide clear recommendations that support your project decisions.
Call us today or request a quote online to get started.
