M. Sanderson’s research while affiliated with University of Waterloo and other places

Since groundwater is of scientific interest to many disciplines, research into groundwater contamination must also be multi-disciplinary. In this project, earth scientists conducted field work in the geology and hydrogeology of the Kitchener-Waterloo region, planners investigated the past and present land use in the area, civil engineers constructed models of contaminant flow, and geographers examined a case of groundwater contamination in Elmira, just north of Kitchener-Waterloo. The article summarizes the lengthy reports of the various components of the research to the Ministry of Environment and Energy. It provides a case study into the susceptibility of groundwater to contamination in an area that depends heavily on groundwater for its drinking water supply. Research on the hydrogeology of the area indicated that the sand core of the Waterloo Moraine, the area’s principal aquifer, is particularly vulnerable to contamination. The land use research identified some 800 sites which could be potential sources of contamination and indicated that the length of time for surface contamination to reach the aquifer could be as little as ten years. Finally, the media study of the Elmira groundwater contamination case indicated that the major government agencies appeared to lack credibility among the local population.