Panel Sessions

Environmental Impact Statements require assessment of the expected and potential impacts to groundwater and groundwater-reliant receptors (e.g. water supplies, groundwater-dependent ecosystems). In this context, faults and fractures may, or may not, create significant pathways between the groundwater source and the groundwater asset or may, or may not, significantly impact the local and regional flow of groundwater. 

Recognising that faults and fractures are ubiquitous in the subsurface and can be described and analysed scientifically; acknowledging the uncertainty and heterogeneity and recognising the sometimes emotive and biased response from scientists and public alike, the question posed to this Panel is: 

How do we objectively incorporate faults and fractures into the groundwater impact assessment process?

Key discussion points will include:

• What is required to adequately characterise the role of faults and fractures for groundwater impact assessments?

• How can they best be incorporated into numerical groundwater flow models?

• How do we communicate the science and outcomes of fault and fracture analysis?

From this, we might then ask: What can we learn from groundwater-related studies that can be translated to CO2 sequestration projects?

Our panellists will put their slant on these questions and thoughts to guide current and future groundwater impact assessments.