IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i14p7695-d591484.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impacts of Event-Based Recharge on the Vulnerability of Public Supply Wells

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew J. Wiebe

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • David L. Rudolph

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Ehsan Pasha

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    Les Services EXP Inc., Montréal, QC H1Z 4J2, Canada)

  • Jacqueline M. Brook

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Kitchener, ON N2G 4Y9, Canada)

  • Mike Christie

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    Hamilton Water, Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3, Canada)

  • Paul G. Menkveld

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    Golder Associates Ltd., Cambridge, ON N1T 1A8, Canada)

Abstract

Dynamic recharge events related to extreme rainfall or snowmelt are becoming more common due to climate change. The vulnerability of public supply wells to water quality degradation may temporarily increase during these types of events. The Walkerton, ON, Canada, tragedy (2000) highlighted the threat to human health associated with the rapid transport of microbial pathogens to public supply wells during dynamic recharge events. Field research at the Thornton (Woodstock, ON, Canada) and Mannheim West (Kitchener, ON, Canada) well fields, situated in glacial overburden aquifers, identified a potential increase in vulnerability due to event-based recharge phenomena. Ephemeral surface water flow and local ponding containing microbial pathogen indicator species were observed and monitored within the capture zones of public supply wells following heavy rain and/or snowmelt. Elevated recharge rates beneath these temporary surface water features were estimated to range between 40 and 710 mm over two-week periods using analytical and numerical modelling based on the water level, soil moisture, and temperature data. Modelling also suggested that such events could reduce contaminant travel times to a supply well, increasing vulnerability to water quality degradation. These studies suggest that event-based recharge processes occurring close to public supply wells may enhance the vulnerability of the wells to surface-sourced contaminants.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew J. Wiebe & David L. Rudolph & Ehsan Pasha & Jacqueline M. Brook & Mike Christie & Paul G. Menkveld, 2021. "Impacts of Event-Based Recharge on the Vulnerability of Public Supply Wells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7695-:d:591484
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/14/7695/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/14/7695/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Curriero, F.C. & Patz, J.A. & Rose, J.B. & Lele, S., 2001. "The association between extreme precipitation and waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States, 1948-1994," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(8), pages 1194-1199.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wuxia Bi & Baisha Weng & Zhe Yuan & Yuheng Yang & Ting Xu & Dengming Yan & Jun Ma, 2019. "Evolution of Drought–Flood Abrupt Alternation and Its Impacts on Surface Water Quality from 2020 to 2050 in the Luanhe River Basin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Supachai Nakapan & Nitin Kumar Tripathi & Taravudh Tipdecho & Marc Souris, 2012. "Spatial Diffusion of Influenza Outbreak-Related Climate Factors in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Richard Harvey & Heather Murphy & Edward McBean & Bahram Gharabaghi, 2015. "Using Data Mining to Understand Drinking Water Advisories in Small Water Systems: a Case Study of Ontario First Nations Drinking Water Supplies," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(14), pages 5129-5139, November.
    4. Karel Mulder, 2019. "Future Options for Sewage and Drainage Systems Three Scenarios for Transitions and Continuity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Kathleen F. Bush & Cheryl L. Fossani & Shi Li & Bhramar Mukherjee & Carina J. Gronlund & Marie S. O'Neill, 2014. "Extreme Precipitation and Beach Closures in the Great Lakes Region: Evaluating Risk among the Elderly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Zhiwei Xu & Perry E. Sheffield & Wenbiao Hu & Hong Su & Weiwei Yu & Xin Qi & Shilu Tong, 2012. "Climate Change and Children’s Health—A Call for Research on What Works to Protect Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-19, September.
    7. Wuxia Bi & Baisha Weng & Zhe Yuan & Mao Ye & Cheng Zhang & Yu Zhao & Dengming Yan & Ting Xu, 2018. "Evolution Characteristics of Surface Water Quality Due to Climate Change and LUCC under Scenario Simulations: A Case Study in the Luanhe River Basin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, August.
    8. Jean C. Bikomeye & Sima Namin & Chima Anyanwu & Caitlin S. Rublee & Jamie Ferschinger & Ken Leinbach & Patricia Lindquist & August Hoppe & Lawrence Hoffman & Justin Hegarty & Dwayne Sperber & Kirsten , 2021. "Resilience and Equity in a Time of Crises: Investing in Public Urban Greenspace Is Now More Essential Than Ever in the US and Beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-39, August.
    9. Yohann Moanahere Chiu & Fateh Chebana & Belkacem Abdous & Diane Bélanger & Pierre Gosselin, 2021. "Cardiovascular Health Peaks and Meteorological Conditions: A Quantile Regression Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Gordon L. Nichols & Yvonne Andersson & Elisabet Lindgren & Isabelle Devaux & Jan C. Semenza, 2014. "European Monitoring Systems and Data for Assessing Environmental and Climate Impacts on Human Infectious Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-43, April.
    11. Yee, Susan H. & Paulukonis, E. & Simmons, C. & Russell, M. & Fulford, R. & Harwell, L. & Smith, L.M., 2021. "Projecting effects of land use change on human well-being through changes in ecosystem services," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 440(C).
    12. Mahin Al Nahian, 2023. "Public Health Impact and Health System Preparedness within a Changing Climate in Bangladesh: A Scoping Review," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-28, January.
    13. Kathleen A. Alexander & Marcos Carzolio & Douglas Goodin & Eric Vance, 2013. "Climate Change is Likely to Worsen the Public Health Threat of Diarrheal Disease in Botswana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-29, March.
    14. Aude-Valérie Jung & Pierre Le Cann & Benoit Roig & Olivier Thomas & Estelle Baurès & Marie-Florence Thomas, 2014. "Microbial Contamination Detection in Water Resources: Interest of Current Optical Methods, Trends and Needs in the Context of Climate Change," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, April.
    15. Wang, Limin & Kanji, Shireen & Bandyopadhyay, Sushenjit, 2009. "The health impact of extreme weather events in Sub-Saharan Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4979, The World Bank.
    16. Brian Stone & Jessica L Bullen, 2006. "Urban Form and Watershed Management: How Zoning Influences Residential Stormwater Volumes," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 33(1), pages 21-37, February.
    17. Chris J. Barton & Qingqing Wang & Derrick M. Anderson & Drew A. Callow, 2021. "Synchronizing the Logic of Inquiry with the Logic of Action: The Case of Urban Climate Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-16, September.
    18. Guoshuai Qin & Jianwei Liu & Shiguo Xu & Ya Sun, 2021. "Pollution Source Apportionment and Water Quality Risk Evaluation of a Drinking Water Reservoir during Flood Seasons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    19. Sana Syal & Robyn Wilson & J. Crawford & Jonathan Lutz, 2011. "Climate change and human health—what influences the adoption of adaptation programming in the United States public health system?," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 16(8), pages 911-924, December.
    20. Ianis Delpla & Donald T. Monteith & Chris Freeman & Joris Haftka & Joop Hermens & Timothy G. Jones & Estelle Baurès & Aude-Valérie Jung & Olivier Thomas, 2014. "A Decision Support System for Drinking Water Production Integrating Health Risks Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-22, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7695-:d:591484. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.