Drawing upon our global expertise to streamline the process for groundwater modelling and assessments

Groundwater Modelling Toolbox

When the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment wanted to streamline its process for assessing groundwater models of impacts from major projects, it reached out to us.

Combining our experience with hydrogeology, groundwater modelling, and impact assessments with in-depth local knowledge of environmental settings, our geoscience team provided the Department with a suite of tools and a technical guide that outlines the minimum requirements for groundwater modelling of significant development and infrastructure projects. We also prepared a paper comparing global approaches for assessing cumulative groundwater impacts. Additionally, we developed a set of internal procedures and tools for the Department to use when reviewing groundwater models along with an online refresher on groundwater modelling for its hydrogeologists.

Now, major project proponents have a better understanding of the requirements for groundwater models supporting their applications. At the same time, the Department is better equipped to confidently evaluate groundwater impacts and models for major projects in their region.