Anthropogenic Impacts on Groundwater Quality in Sydney – Practical Considerations for Dewatering Management
Presented by David Harris
Date: Tuesday 12th March 2024
Time: 17:30 for an 18:00 start
Where: Level 26, 680 George Street, Sydney
Online: Teams link
Abstract: Understanding subsurface conditions is essential to identifying the risks and appropriate management options with respect to subsurface dewatering. This is particularly so in urban environments where anthropogenic influences can have profound effects on groundwater chemistry, and where dewatering can result in significant geotechnical risks. Extensive infrastructure development in Sydney in recent years has offered a unique opportunity to characterise subsurface conditions at a catchment scale, and provide insight into the key risks and appropriate management measures with respect to the varying conditions that have been encountered. This presentation will provide a review of the anthropogenic impacts to groundwater in the Sydney Basin Central Groundwater Source, and the practical considerations for dewatering management. The presentation provides insight from publicly available sources associated with historical studies, and investigations and management actions undertaken during planning and construction of recent major infrastructure projects in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
Bio: David Harris is a consultant hydrogeologist and water management specialist in based in Sydney, New South Wales. David earned his Masters in Geology at the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2009, and completed an MSc in Hydrogeology at Newcastle University (UK) in 2010. Since 2010, David has worked throughout the UK and Australia on a broad range of projects including mining, infrastructure, housing, regional development, catchment management, water resource definition, and contamination remediation. Over the past several years David has been involved closely with planning and construction of a number of State Significant Infrastructure Projects, and State Significant Developments in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area, from which he has gained unique insight into the key challenges associated with construction dewatering and responsible environmental management in heavily urbanised areas.
