Workshops

Date: Saturday - October 9, 2010

Additional registration required. Lunch and refreshments provided.

Aquifer Storage Recovery: How to Identify and Tackle Technical Issues

David Pyne, ASR Systems LLC, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Time: Morning in Al Muraijib Hall

This workshop will walk you through the key technical issues, performance considerations, and scientific considerations that successful ASR applications have encountered to achieve reliable and sustainable water supply. Using audience examples and participation along with selected case studies, you will learn about the following:

• Determine the reliability and sustainability of an ASR application.
• How to unravel the technical issues related to ASR well, wellhead and wellfield design and operation.
• Recognize the practical considerations such as the target storage volume; recovery efficiency; well clogging and redevelopment; monitor wells and water quality issues.
• Understand the scientific considerations such as aquifer hydraulics, mobilization and attenuation of selected water quality constituents, and associated geochemistry.

State of the Art Techniques in Identifying and Characterizing Optimum Surface Spreading Groundwater Recharge Projects

Michael A. Milczarek, GeoSystems Analysis

Time: Afternoon in Al Muraijib Hall

Successful site selection and design of surface spreading groundwater recharge operations are highly dependent on subsurface geologic conditions, source water quality, land availability and nearby land use. This course is designed to present, discuss and evaluate the best tools for site evaluation and subsurface characterization and the application of these tools for feasibility studies and recharge system design. A brief overview of modeling and monitoring tools will also be presented. A spectrum of case studies will be presented to illustrate the application of these tools and interpretation of data. Specific topics to be covered include:

• Defining recharge site goals and criteria for selecting an optimum recharge site
• Phased approaches to site characterization and site selection
• Near-surface field methods for hydraulic characterization
• Deep sub-surface field methods for hydraulic characterization and monitoring
• Modeling of recharge basin performance
• Integration of characterization, monitoring and modeling

The objective of the course is to provide participants with knowledge of the best tools and exposure to real-life conditions to ensure success in siting, characterizing, designing and monitoring surface spreading groundwater recharge operations.

The course is designed for consulting and government scientists, engineers and managers who are or will be involved in groundwater recharge studies and operations. A background in the physical sciences or engineering is desirable.

The applications of advanced bore-hole geophysical logging & Interpretations for water wells

Ibrahim Shawky, Geo-science Consultancy

Time: Morning in Al- Fehaidi Hall

This workshop will address the different approaches for characterizing aquifer rocks through bore-hole geophysics; participants will be taken through the different geophysical measurements and their direct or indirect relationships to the specific rock property. Fit for purpose measurements will be discussed, walking through scientific procedures for logging program optimization. Audience will be encouraged to bring up their own challenges for discussion during the work shop. The following topics will be demonstrated and practiced;

• Measurement/ calculation of aquifer storage capacity.
• Prediction of different layer injectivity/productivity.
• Investigating the elemental composition of aquifer rocks, and its favorable or adverse effect on aquifer performance.
• Accurate water salinity calculation from bore hole geophysics
• Understanding the lateral and vertical extension of an aquifer with special emphasis on water movement barriers.

Case histories, where the advanced bore-hole geophysics has been critical to the success of the project, will be brought up and discussed.

Integrated Field to Office Technologies for Aquifer Storage and Recovery Projects

Schlumberger Water Services

Time: Afternoon in Al- Fehaidi Hall

The success of any engineering project is often determined by the available technologies, and ASR projects are no exception. In this workshop, we will walk you through typical phases of ASR projects and demonstrate key technologies that will make your project a success. Site selection and characterization, pilot testing, and full-scale operation each require detailed groundwater and hydrogeological monitoring data obtained through the use of reliable instrumentation and sensors. Software applications provide you with the tools to manage, analyze, and report the data. The resulting data are incorporated into conceptual models and groundwater simulations of the potential site, in order for you to optimize the efficiency of your ASR operations.

This workshop will demonstrate the following technologies: Multilevel monitoring and characterization (Westbay System), Groundwater dataloggers (Divers), Data Management Software (HydroManager), and modeling and simulation tools (Petrel-Eclipse H2O). Case studies demonstrating historical successes will also be presented, with emphasis on the ASR operations in United Arab Emirates.

Where is MAR the best option for securing drinking water supplies, and how?

Chaired by Peter Dillon, Ian Gale (IAH Commission on MAR) and a representative of UNESCO

Keynote speaker: Albert Tuinhof or Arjen de Vries (representing GW-MATE)

Time: Morning in Maziad Hall

Note: This workshop is free of charge

This is an open meeting of all who wish to discover and be part of the MAR-NET network, which is aimed at developing knowledge and capabilities to use MAR to produce safe and secure drinking water supplies where they are lacking. MAR-NET has already established in China and India and this workshop is an opportunity for discussion and formation of new regional nodes and sub-networks of MAR-NET where it can be of value.

This meeting will include brief reports on progress of progress of MAR-NET activities in China and India, and on projects such as mapping of MAR opportunities in Africa, and demonstration projects in Vietnam, Spain, Middle East, island countries and elsewhere. The workshop will also inform on three key topics listed below. These will each be 20 minute talks to allow plenty of time for discussion.

Key topic 1 : Albert Tuinhof or Arjen de Vries (Acacia and Meta/Meta, Netherlands) will give a breakdown of the countries and regions where UNMDG for Drinking Water Supplies has most work to do, the sectors that are least well serviced by traditional water supply options, and the potential for MAR to contribute most efficiently to water supplies in these areas.

Key topic 2: Peter Dillon or Declan Page (CSIRO, Australia) will give an expose of new Australian Guidelines for protection of human health and the environment in MAR operations, including for drinking water supplies from poor quality water sources.

Key topic 3: Ian Gale (BGS) or a senior collaborator from Asia or Africa will give a review of methods for identifying prospective areas for MAR, based on remote sensing, regional geology, hydrogeological maps, groundwater quality and availability of surface water sources.