Hydrogeological Investigation in Urban Land Development Projects

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret and apply regulatory requirements and guidelines governing hydrogeological investigations for urban land development in Ontario
• Plan and evaluate hydrogeological field investigations and characterize subsurface and groundwater conditions using field data and hydrogeological principles
• Apply groundwater flow concepts and water balance analyses to assess pre‑ and post-development impacts on aquifers, groundwater users, and groundwater-dependent features
• Design and evaluate construction and long-term groundwater management and dewatering strategies, and contribute to clear, defensible hydrogeological investigation reporting

Description
Urban land development projects often involve complex groundwater conditions that affect construction feasibility, regulatory approvals, environmental protection, and long-term site performance. Poorly planned hydrogeological investigations can lead to delays, regulatory non-compliance, adverse impacts on neighbouring properties, and costly redesigns. As a result, professionals are frequently required to make groundwater-related decisions under uncertainty while balancing technical, regulatory, and project constraints.

This course provides a practical, structured approach to planning, executing, and interpreting hydrogeological investigations for urban land development projects. Participants will learn how to characterize subsurface and groundwater conditions, assess development-related impacts, and evaluate groundwater management and mitigation strategies, including construction and long-term dewatering, in alignment with Ontario regulatory frameworks.

Through applied examples and a representative case study, participants will strengthen their ability to translate hydrogeological data into defensible engineering assessments and clear professional reporting that support development approvals, construction planning, and informed groundwater-related decision-making.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Engineering consultants involved in land development projects
• Hydrogeologists and hydrologists working in urban or regulated environments
• Environmental and stormwater management professionals
• Planners and design professionals supporting development approvals
• Construction and project managers responsible for groundwater control and dewatering
• Early‑ to mid‑career professionals seeking practical exposure to hydrogeological investigations in land development

Participants should have a basic understanding of hydrogeology and hydrology concepts. Key principles will be reviewed briefly to ensure a common foundation, but the course is primarily focused on applied professional practice.

Day 1

Session 1:

• Overview of Hydrogeological Investigation in the Context of Urban Development Projects
• Applicable Regulatory Frameworks and Guidelines

Session 2:

• Basic Principles of Hydrogeology
• Soil and Infiltration Characterization
• Aquifer and Groundwater Characterization

Session 3:

• Field Investigation Methodology
• Monitoring wells
• Groundwater elevation measurement
• Hydraulic conductivity tests

Session 4:

• Understanding Water Balance (infiltration, runoff, evapotranspiration)
• Pre and Post-Development Water Balance Calculation Methodology

Day 2

Session 1

• Concept of Dewatering
• Short-term (construction) dewatering
• Long-term (permanent) dewatering
• Methods for effectively managing groundwater during construction projects
• Calculation methodologies for determining pumping rates, flow rates, radius of influence etc.
• Regulatory frameworks and guidelines

Session 2

• Permit to Take Water
• Required information for submission
• Short-term and long-term dewatering applications
• Relevant discharge policies (such as foundation drainage policy (e.g. City of Toronto)

Session 3

• Impact Assessment of the Development on
• Groundwater/aquifer, infiltration rates and recharge
• Surrounding groundwater users
• Other water bodies interacting with the subject groundwater
• Mitigation Measures
• Introduction to Low Impact Developments (general description)

Session 4

• Case Example and Discussions