Communities that rely on surface water resources via sand and gravel wells are vulnerable to the impacts of drought on water supplies. In 2020, much of New England experienced an extreme drought due to lack of sufficient precipitation from May through September, which resulted in water restrictions across Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island.1 Communities that have both bedrock wells and sand and gravel wells are more resilient during drought because they are able to switch between surface water and groundwater resources as needed in order to mitigate water resource limitations. However, switching between water supply sources comes with its own share of issues that need to be considered.
This webinar provides an in-depth look at how municipalities have mitigated water shortages by balancing the use of bedrock wells and sand and gravel wells. It delves into the potential issues that must be considered when having to switch between groundwater and surface water supplies, including pH, precipitation, and other issues.
This webinar is designed for those involved with well infrastructure, planning and policy decision making, but will be of interest a wide array of stakeholders.
1 Lombard, P.J., Barclay, J.R., and McCarthy, D.E., 2020, 2020 drought in New England (ver. 1.1, February 2021): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1148, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201148.
About the Presenter:
Raymond Talkington, Ph.D., PG, CPG, Principal Hydrogeologist and President, GEOSPHERE Environmental
Dr. Raymond Talkington is the Principal Hydrogeologist and President of GEOSPHERE Environmental Management, Inc. He has over 30 years of experience providing direction to GEOSPHERE’s hydrogeological and geological projects. Typical projects involve groundwater supply exploration and development in sand and gravel and fractured bedrock systems. For over 20 years Dr. Talkington has been a regular instructor for courses on well redevelopment and maintenance, bedrock wells, and helping people understand the ABCs of groundwater, wells, and aquifers. Dr. Talkington was the 2014 President of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and a past Editor of the professional journal “The Professional Geologist,” and the recipient of the Ben H. Parker Memorial Distinguished Service Medal from AIPG and the David M. Erickson Groundwater Award from the NEWWA. He has 50 professional publications including books and chapters in geology laboratory manuals.
CEU Credits
All registrants who attend the entire duration of this webinar will receive 0.1 CEUs from the American Institiute of Professional Geologists.
College Course Participation
A faculty member can register on behalf of a course and/or group of their students to participate in the webinar. With this registration, the faculty member can submit up to 20 participating students for awarding of 0.1 CEUs to each of them by AIPG.
