Investigation of groundwater conditions and fate of fuel spills in subsurface, Wrigley, NWT
Principal Investigator: Van Stempvoort, Dale R. (1)
Licence Number: 13836
Organization: National Water Research Institute
Licensed Year(s): 2005
Issued: Jun 08, 2005

Project Description: The objectives of this study are to 1) address information gaps with respect to groundwater quality and quantity along the proposed pipeline corridor; 2)gather groundwater information along the corridor between Fort Simpson and Great Bear Lake; 3) examine remediation processes for, and results of, petroleum spills in the north; and 4) help the Department of Transportation investigate potential groundwater contamination as a result of historic fuel spills at Wrigley Airport. The researcher has made an initial site visit to evaluate worksite conditions at the Wrigley Airport and prepare a plan for the field work. In order to establish a ground water research site at Wrigley Airport, 10-15 boreholes will be drilled with a truck-mounted drilling system. Monitoring wells and thermistors will be installed to examine groundwater flow conditions, specifically groundwater quality in the vicinity of fuel spills and at 'pristine' locations at the airport site. The boreholes are scheduled to be drilled sometime in July or August, followed by the installation of the groundwater wells and the thermistors. This process will take approximately 10-14 days. The groundwater wells and the thermistors will be monitored by technicians for three years. Transportation to the site by the field staff and equipment will be primarily by road. The data collected by the study will be submitted to the Department of Transportation. During the course of the field work, there will need to be a First Nations contact to assist with the logistical support for out-of-province field staff. The study will be conducted at Wrigley Airport from June 9 to November 30, 2005.