Groundwater is not a static entity as it flows from a high hydraulic potential to low high hydraulic potential under the influence of gravity. Simply put, the water that falls on an upland area and does not directly run off the landscape will recharge the subsurface and move from that topographic high to the adjacent lower lying areas typically frequented by stream, rivers, lakes and wetlands.
The diagram provides an example of how this works. As well, the amount of time that it takes for water to move through the subsurface is highly variable and dependant on the nature of the sediments it is flowing through and the magnitude of the hydraulic potential.
In some cases, groundwater can move from an upland area, to a receiving water body in a matter of days. In other instances, it can take years, decades or even thousands to millions of years to move large distances. As such, the water that is coming out of one’s well can be older than you may think.
Because the groundwater system is dynamic and replenished annually by recharge, one can consider groundwater as a renewable resource. This does not mean that it can be exploited without having good knowledge of how much is going in, how much is coming out, and what the cumulative effects of withdrawal may be having on dependant ecosystems. Managing groundwater in a sustainable manner comes down to understanding the role it plays in the hydrologic cycle.
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Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.