Groundwater

Doudles Folly Creek

Sydney, Australia

Client: Sydney Catchment Authority

Parsons Brinckerhoff Role: Research

Parsons Brinckerhoff conducted an 18-month research project for the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) to assess the sustainability of a potential borefield to provide an alternate potable water source for Sydney during times of drought.

Presently, during times of drought, Sydney may be permitted to take water from the Shoalhaven River. The water is delivered to the Nepean, Avon and Warragamba dams via the Wingecarribee River and Doudles Folly Creek. Groundwater and surface water in the Doudles Folly Creek cathment area also support farms, creeks and springs in the area.

Parsons Brinckerhoff developed a research program for Doudles Folly Creek to determine groundwater-surface water linkages and assessed potential impacts to local and regional water users in the event Doudles Folly Creek was used as an alternate water source. The firm provided drilling and pumping test supervision, water level and water quality monitoring, aquifer characterisation, packer testing, tracer testing, isotope sampling, numerical modelling and sustainability assessment.

The project demonstrated and quantified the importance of fracture flow in Hawkesbury Sandstone when assessing groundwater-surface water connectivity and regional groundwater flow. It also emphasised the importance of understanding the properties of the sandstone rock mass.

The volume and quality of data collected in the study was substantial, and will allow SCA to extrapolate trends for an alternate borefield design and operation on a larger scale. The study provided a framework for assessment of borefield feasibility that ensures development of groundwater resources is sustainably achieved without ongoing impact on valuable nearby water resources. The project received the New South Wales Water Research Merit Award for 2008 from the Australian Water Association.

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Groundwater is an important natural resource that provides a secure and highly reliable source of water for rural and urban communities, industry and the environment. Protecting this valuable natural resource requires effective management of interconnected aquifers and surface water.

Infrastructure projects, such as roads, tunnels and mining, often require groundwater management to supply water for development, and also to understand and manage potential inflow volumes and groundwater quality.

Parsons Brinckerhoff has experienced staff who specialize in providing practical, cost-effective services related to groundwater quality, supply, recharge protection and augmentation, dewatering, monitoring, state and national regulation, planning and policy for approvals, licensing and management controls.