Water is an important resource for all Albertans. Much of our water comes from surface sources, like rivers and lakes, which are easily accessible. Some of our water, however, is accessed from underground sources to support our growing rural population. This water is commonly referred to as groundwater and resides within the soil and rock formation beneath our feet. This water occurs in two principal zones (Figure 1):
In the unsaturated zone, voids or spaces between particles of clay and silt, sand grains and gravel as well as cracks or fractures within otherwise competent bedrock formations contain both air and water. Although a considerable amount of water can be present in the unsaturated zone, this water cannot be pumped by wells because it is held too tightly by capillary forces. The upper part of the unsaturated zone is the soil-water zone. Within the soil zone, infiltration of water from the surface is enhanced by the presences of roots, voids left by decayed roots, desiccation cracks and animal and worm burrows. Soil water is used by plants during their growth, and is either transpired or evaporated directly from the surface to the atmosphere.
In contrast to the unsaturated zone, the voids in the saturated zones are completely filled with water and other fluids like oil and gas. Water in the saturated zone is referred to as groundwater, and the upper surface of the saturated zone represents the water table. Below the water table, the water pressure is great enough to allow water to enter wells, thus permitting groundwater to be withdrawn for use. The depth of the water table is highly variable and can range from zero, when it is at land surface, to great depths beneath some landscapes. Usually, the depth to the water table is small near permanent water bodies of surface water such as streams, lakes and wetlands. An important characteristic of the water table is that its elevation varies seasonally and from year to year. Groundwater recharge and timing of precipitation inherently affect variation of the water table elevation.
Hydrogeology is the study of groundwater, the rock layers that carry groundwater and the interaction of groundwater with surface water. The interaction of groundwater and surface water is also a part of hydrology. Hydrology is the study of surface water and the hydrologic cycle.
Groundwater is a vital part of the hydrologic cycle (see Figure 1).When water infiltrates into the ground it flows through soil and rock layers. Groundwater can be stored in layers called aquifers. The water flowing underground can return to the surface in springs, wetlands, streams, lakes, and oceans.
![Figure 2: The Hydrologic Cycle: The hydrologic cycle, or the water cycle, includes hydrology above ground, and hydrogeology below ground [1].](https://waterportal.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Hydrologic-Cycle.jpg)
[1] ESRD. (2014). State of the Environment. Retrieved from http://esrd.alberta.ca/focus/state-of-the-environment/water/default.aspx
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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.