StoneHill offers
a wide range of professional consulting services for the development
and management of surface and groundwater resources. As groundwater
withdrawals from aquifers continue to increase, it is becoming more
difficult to locate and permit new water supplies, and protect existing
supplies. Increased demands on groundwater supplies, as well as
decreases in groundwater quality, have resulted in groundwater suppliers
looking to increase withdrawals or drilling new wells to replace
degraded wells. With few shallow well aquifers available, many suppliers
are looking to deep bedrock aquifers to provide the additional supply.
Contaminants such as MTBE and lawsuits over water use rights complicate
the process even further. In addition, many states have extensive
permitting requirements for new water supplies. Permit applications
may involve drilling test wells, testing the aquifer, determining
the land area contributing water to the well, and predicting the
impacts of the proposed pumping on nearby supply wells and water
resources. The permitting process requires the presentation of complex
data in a form that can be understood by the public. The geologists
and hydrogeologists at StoneHill can provide the expertise to locate,
permit and develop new supplies, as well as prepare and implement
wellhead protection plans to preserve existing water supplies. The
water supply development process may include geohydrologic research,
fracture trace and fabric analyses, geophysical surveys, test well
drilling, aquifer pump tests, well recharge area determination,
and groundwater supply permitting. A number of research methods
such as air photo interpretation, field measurements and geophysical
studies are available to aid in bedrock well exploration and an
increase in the success of developing new water supplies. StoneHill
can also develop supplies for groundwater heat pump systems.
The staff at StoneHill consists of individuals
with advanced degrees in the disciplines of geology, hydrology,
soil science, and geochemistry. Through our education and experience
members of the StoneHill team understand the interaction of surface
and groundwater systems that is necessary to effectively manage
the ground water resources. StoneHill prides itself on providing
a multi-disciplinary approach to projects, which leads to practical
and economical solutions to water resource issues
Selected Project Summaries
Well Yield Ordinance
Revision - Windham, NH |
Due to the increased incidence
of residential supply wells with inadequate yields to support
household needs, the Town of Windham retained |
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StoneHill to develop a revised
well yield ordinance. StoneHill did an extensive review of
other town ordinances, researched well yield standards established
by regulatory agencies, and interviewed drilling companies
to understand the realities of installing wells with adequate
yield in the subject town. The ordinance was revised to include
an increased minimum well yield, a pump test requirement,
a well yield formula which properly accounted for available
water storage in a well borehole, and a well yield certification
procedure. The well yield ordinace revisions proposed by StoneHill
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were subsequently adopted by the Town of Windham
as part of their Water Supply Regulations. |
Road Salt Water Impact Studies - Multiple
Sites, NH
StoneHill
has been retained on multiple occasions to investigate the presence
of road salt contamination in water supply wells. A detailed site
inspection is conducted in each case and potential sources if the
salt contamination are identified, such as water softener brine
discharges, roadway salt application or road department salt storage
yards. Simple field testing of supply wells and surface water bodies
is often successful in identifying the source and path of the contamination
movement. A geophysical technique such as an electromagnetic conductivity
survey is also often useful. Based upon the data collected, StoneHill
will often identify the location for a replacement supply well if
required.
Residential Development
Impact on Water Supplies - Windham, NH |
StoneHill
assessed the potential impact of a proposed thirty home subdivision
in existing water supplies at homes adjacent to the subdivision. |
Existing well yield data,
rainfall and recharge data, topography, geology, and hydrology
were considered to evaluate whether the proposed additional
water withdrawals would impact existing supply wells. Based
upon this information and the development location within |
|
the surface water drainage
basin, StoneHill concluded that it was unlikely that the additional
water supply withdrawals would impact existing water supplies. |
600 State Street, Suite 2
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Telephone: 603-433-1935
Toll Free: 1-800-639-4503
Fax: 603-433-1942
info@stonehillenvironmental.com
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