WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
On Sunday September 8th, workshops will take in the Davos Congress Center from 10:15-18:00 expect for course W1, which starts already at 9:00
You can book a workshop/short course when you register for the congress. If you have already registered for the congress, log into your congress account and add a workshop/short course to your booking.
In addition to these workshops/short courses on Sunday, there is a also a pre-congress course on “Inversion, Uncertainty Analysis and Problem Decomposition in Decision-Support Modelling” by John Doherty at the Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics in Neuchâtel (September 2-6).
W1) Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling:
Tools and Techniques
Building B, Room Parsenn (meeting point congress entrance)
Starts already at 9:00
Hobson Adam; In-Situ; United States
Smith, Kayleigh; In-Situ: United States
Full day; maximum 40 participants
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks):
Regular: 300 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 200 CHF
Topic and objectives
Topics covered in this course will include:
- An overview of groundwater sampling methods and best practices including fixed volume purge and sampling, low-flow sampling and zero-purge and passive sampling
- Workshops on sample origin, purge volumes and designing sampling plans for a variety of hydrogeologic scenarios
- Equipment demonstrations including water level instruments and meters, pumps and water quality instruments
- An overview of quality control and sampling from the field to lab
Who should attend
This course is designed for those who carry out groundwater sampling and monitoring in the field. We welcome those who are new to groundwater sampling, as well as those seeking to update and refresh their knowledge on the topic.
Previous attendees include experienced hydrogeologists, environmental managers, field technicians and more. Attendees come from all sectors, including environmental and geotechnical consultancies and contractors, academia, industry professionals, government agencies and other institutions involved with research, compliance, regulation and planning.
W2) Innovations and Initiatives in Education and Learning of Hydrogeology
Ferre, Ty; Professor, Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona
Reimann, Thomas; Dr., Researcher and Lecturer; TU Dresden and University of Gothenburg
Full day; Attendees and remote participants
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks):
Regular: 250 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 150 CHF
Topic and objectives
The workshop deals with education and learning of Hydrogeology. Groundwater education requires a high degree of abstraction and a large variety of competencies, ranging from applied field and laboratory methods to quantitative analysis involving advanced mathematical and physical concepts. Accordingly, the workshop aims to deliver applied knowledge and experiences of innovative teaching methods and materials for hydrogeology, such as interactive documents, various types of assessments, and collections of books and videos. The workshop not only aims to share experiences but also intends to discuss ways of future cooperation to form larger pools of educational materials.
In the second part, the workshop will engage attendees and remote participants in an open discussion of ways forward in defining a community-wide core curriculum, delivering this curriculum, and using this common definition to better promote hydrogeology to potential students. Additionally, we intend to provide an online option to join the second part remotely.
Who should attend
The workshop is intended for people who have an interest in teaching and knowledge transfer in Hydrogeology. This includes all groups from student assistants to faculty. There is no specific knowledge required to attend the workshop.
Course Overview
Groundwater education requires a high degree of abstraction and a large variety of competencies, ranging from applied field and laboratory methods to quantitative analysis involving advanced mathematical and physical concepts. Worldwide, we are facing a problem with stagnant or declining enrollments and shrinking or disappearing programs. We see some related needs to address this problem. First, we need to come together as a community to define the core content of an MS curriculum – what should every MS graduate know? Then, we need to follow a wide range of approaches to deliver this content, ranging from traditional in-person programs to online education and everything in between to provide primary education and continuing education to serve the all student needs.
With a general tendency towards digitalization and media-enriched learning, groundwater education is rapidly evolving a large pool of innovative methods and didactics, such as interactive documents, videos, and electronic questions for various assessments. Combined with a philosophy of openness and accessibility, the quality and outreach of groundwater education can be enhanced. Despite wide acceptance of the promise of new ways of delivering content, our field needs leadership in developing open, collaborative, workable approaches to use these tools effectively in the service of a standard core curriculum.
The first part of the workshop will share applied knowledge about recent and innovative advances in groundwater education. We will introduce methods and workflows in a practical way so that attendees can easily incorporate them into their own teaching. The methods and materials that the workshop will cover comprise, for example, (1) interactive documents based on Jupyter Notebook, (2) electronic assessments with different platforms for classroom- and individual use, (3) instructional videos ranging from screencasts to laboratory and field demonstrations, (4) implementation of measured real-world field data for applied education, and more.
The second part of the workshop will engage attendees and remote participants in an open discussion of ways forward in defining a community-wide core curriculum, in delivering this curriculum, and in using this common definition to better promote hydrogeology to potential students. One concrete outcome of the workshop will be an electronic survey that will be open throughout the IAH conference to begin to gather information to form a common curriculum and to strategize approaches to deliver and promote it.
Required materials and Hand-outs
Attendees are not required to bring specific materials. However, a smartphone or tablet would be useful to experience the teaching materials in an applied way.
We will provide access to notes, teaching materials (open source), and further useful resources.
W3) Evaluating Well Performance, Deterioration and Corrective Actions
Building A, Room R6 Wisshorn (meeting point at congress entrance)
Hanna, Thomas; Technical Director/Hydrogeologists, Johnson Screens, USA
Schnieders, Mike; Lead Hydrogeologist and President of Water Systems Engineering, Inc.
Full day
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks, text book):
Regular: 350 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 250 CHF
Topic and objectives
Evaluating well performance and determining corrective actions can be accomplished with a methodology to guide when rehabilitation needs to be done to reduce operational costs. Wells, depending on their environment, will deteriorate at varying rates depending on many factors including: well design, hydrogeology, operations, water chemistry, microbiology, rehabilitation history and well usage. Water wells should be operated and maintained so that they are economical and the deterioration is not irreversible or detrimental to any downstream equipment or water user. Changes that occur during the life cycle are different for every water well and are dependent on a number of factors. Some of the changes in water wells are reversible with maintenance, some wells will need the replacement of equipment or structural repair and cleaning while in some cases the expense of maintenance and repair is not worth the investment and the well will need to be replaced. By creating a baseline, changes in the operating parameters of the well can be monitored and a determination can be made as to when and what type of corrective action needs to be done.
Who should attend
The workshop will be of benefit to water-well professionals that are engaged in the design, operation and ownership of water-supply wells. A basic understanding of water well design and operations will be beneficial, but not required.
Course Overview
10:15-10:25 Part 1 – Introduction/Operational Stage of a Well (Hanna)
Overview: how to determine well aging and time to rehabilitate
10:25– 11:10 Part 2 – Chemical Changes in Well Systems (Schnieders)
Key parameters to monitor and what those changes mean
11:10–11:30 Part 3 – Wire to Water Efficiency (Hanna)
Monitoring pump and motor efficiency
11:30–11:45 Break
11:45–12:30 Part 4 – Microbiological Changes in Well Systems (Schnieders)
Microbiology of a well system, parameters to monitor
12:30–13:15 Part 5 – Physical degradation of well systems (Hanna)
Corrosion and structural failure
13:15–14:30 Lunch
14:45–15:30 Part 6 – Monitoring changes in well systems (Schnieders)
Data collection and evaluation
15:30–16:15 Part 7 – Chemical Selection and Application for Well Cleaning (Schnieders)
Types and volumes of chemistries used to clean a well
16:15–16:30 Break
16:30–17:00 Part 8 – Equipment, Handling of Chemicals and Disposal (Hanna)
Methods of cleaning and placement of well cleaning chemistry
17:00–17:30 Part 9 – Coliforms – Control and Disinfection (Schnieders)
Proper methods for well disinfection
17:30–18:00 Part 10 – Well Economic (Analysis Hanna)
Hand-outs
Text Book: Operational Stage of the Well – Evaluating the forms of well deterioration and developing corrective actions, 2016, Hanna, T.M, Schnieders, M.J. and Schnieders, J.H.
Printouts of the PowerPoint presentations for note taking.
Lecturer Bios
Thomas Hanna is employed as a the Technical Director/Hydrogeologist for Johnson Screens where he works in areas of well design, construction, rehabilitation and development. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Michigan State University and Master of Science Degree in Geology from Western Michigan University. He is a Register Professional Geologist in the states of Arizona, Kentucky and Wyoming.
Before working for Johnson Screens Mr. Hanna worked over 15 years as a hydrogeologist for several ground-water consulting firms including Hydrologic Consultants, Inc., Papadopulos Associates, and Golder Associates. His experiences include hydrogeologic investigations, design and optimization of well efficiencies for mine dewatering and water supply investigations.
Mr. Hanna has authored the Operational Stage of the Well, tree chapters of the 3rd Edition of Ground Water and Wells, and numerous technical papers. He has been an instructor and invited lecturer for many ground-water organizations and universities.
Michael (Mike) Schnieders is the lead hydrogeologist and president of Water Systems Engineering, Inc., a diagnostic laboratory and consulting firm in Ottawa, Kansas. Mike received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Kansas State University and a Master of Science in Geology from Wichita State University. Mike is a Registered Professional Geologist and a Professional Hydrologist with a distinction in groundwater.
Mike co-authored the Operational Stage of the Well along with numerous technical papers on water resources, well fouling, and water testing. Mike was the National Ground Water Association’s 2017 McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer in Water Well Technology.
W4) Particle Transport in the Subsurface:
New Findings and Novel Instruments
Building B, Room Jakobshorn (meeting point congress entrance)
Goeppert, Nadine; Professor, Freie Universität Berlin
Hasenmueller, Elizabeth; WATER Institute and Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, Missouri, USA
Baraza, Teresa; WATER Institute and Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, Missouri, USA
Grimmeisen, Felix; Okeanos Smart Data Solutions GmbH, Bochum, Germany
Klotz, Markus; Markus Klotz GmbH, Bad Liebenzell, Germany
Stein, Andreas; Enviplan Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Lichtenau. Henglarn, Germany
Vogl, Wolfgang; VWMs GmbH, Austria
Full day, 20-25 Participants
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks):
Regular: 300 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 200 CHF
Topic and objectives
Particle transport in the subsurface: New findings and novel instruments
Artificial tracing techniques and the use of environmental tracers are among the most conclusive methods in hydrogeology and are therefore among the most important tools – not only in research but also for applied questions. Tracer tests can provide clear evidence of underground connections. In addition, flow and transport parameters such as flow velocity, residence time, and dispersion can be quantitatively determined. Soluble fluorescent tracers are still the most important tracer substances. However, particle tracers are of interest for questions related to the transport and behaviour of pathogenic microorganisms and particulate contaminants in groundwater. This workshop teaches the basics and presents innovations in particle tracing technology – from preparation, analysis, and quantitative evaluation to specific practical examples.
Special focus is given to the transport of microorganisms, DNA, sediment particles, and microplastics in the introductory session. In the afternoon analytics session, practical experience in handling state-of-the art instruments will be provided.
Who should attend
No prior knowledge on the topics required
Course Overview
Morning session (10:15-13:15) Presentations
Nadine Goeppert: Introduction to artificial tracing techniques and the use of environmental tracers
Jan Willem Foppen: DNA tracers and transport of viruses and bacteria
Elizabeth Hasenmueller & Teresa Baraza: Analysis and transport of microplastics
Wolfgang Vogl: Enzymatic determination of E. coli in water
Afternoon session (14:30-18:00) Presentations of instruments and applications
Topic: Background to measurement methods, analytical protocols and instruments including on-site presentation of instruments (in parallel session dependent on participant number)
Felix Grimmeisen: Turbidity
Vivian Hauss: Cell counting
Markus Klotz: Particle counting
Andreas Stein: Microflotation for water purification
Wolfgang Vogl: Enzyme measurements for E. coli determination
Hand-outs
PDF files of presentations
W5) Stable Isotope Hydrology
Applications of H and O
Building B, Room Strela (meeting point congress entrance)
Diamond, Roger; BIOGRIP, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Full day, 40 Participants
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks):
Regular: 300 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 200 CHF
Topic and objectives
Stable isotopes of H and O have been used for decades to trace the flow of water through natural systems. Initially these applications were on a global scale, but as measurement methods have improved so the range of applications now includes ocean and atmosphere studies, biological sciences, and of course hydrogeology. This workshop will refresh attendees on basic principles like fractionation and distillation, cover calculation of meteoric water lines, mass balance and hydrograph separation, and then deal with topics like recharge area, groundwater-surface water interaction and plant waters in more detail. Lectures will be complemented with practical exercises where the attendees will be given small datasets and guided through calculations and presentation of findings.
Who should attend
This course is aimed at water researchers or professionals who have some knowledge of chemistry or isotopes and want to know how to work with H and O isotope data.
Anyone is welcome, but it will likely benefit postgraduates (MSc to PhD) or early to mid-career hydrogeologists. Although the theory will be covered as a refresher, the emphasis will be on being able to work with data, calculate equations, plot lines and graphs and interpret the data.
Participants need to be able to work with small datasets in a spreadsheet and plot graphs with line and point data. The presenter will provide data in .csv, .xls, or similar formats.
Course Overview
10h15 – 10h45 — Welcome and Introduction
10h45 – 12h00 — Fundamentals: fractionation, distillation, isotopic hydrological cycle, MWLs, global patterns, isotope effects, D-excess
12h00 – 12h30 — Break
12h30 – 13h30 — Applications: paleowaters, hydrograph separation, mass balance, etc.
13h30 – 14h30 — lunch
14h30 – 17h00 — Exercises: MWL calculation, isotope effect gradient, mixing
17h00 – 17h30 — Discussion: field sampling
Hand-outs
All presented material will be available digitally as .pdf files, including the lectures and practical exercises.
W6) Groundwater Modelling: Successes, Disasters and Misplaced Expectations
Building B, Room Pischa (meeting point congress entrance)
Doherty, John; Groundwater Modelling Decision Support Initiative (GMDSI)
While, Jeremy;
Full day
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks):
Regular: 300 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 200 CHF
Topic and objectives
Why is groundwater modelling so often still treated with scepticism? Are modellers doing something wrong? Or are expectations misplaced?
Hydrogeologists have an eye for detail, which they would like to see represented in a model. But modellers need numbers – numbers that encapsulate what a hydrogeologist knows and, just as importantly, numbers that encapsulate what a hydrogeologist does not know but cannot dismiss until further investigations are undertaken.
Managers want numbers too, but are they asking for the numbers that matters most? If a manager wants to put a number on the risk that he/she is taking, then models can oblige. If stakeholders want numbers that reflect model predictive credibility, this too can be accommodated.
The chain between site characterisation and the making of important decisions often has a broken link. This link is groundwater modelling. This workshop addresses how this link can be repaired. Its role is one of scientific community-building.
Who should attend
Hydrogeologists, modellers, decision-makers and stakeholders.
Course Overview
In the morning, John Doherty and Jeremy White (authors of PEST and PEST++) will review existing and emerging technologies that can enable quantitative expression of hydrogeological intuition better than in the past. They will also discuss simulator-value-added software that can address the needs of decision-makers and stakeholders while playing a didactic role for all decision participants. Tasks performed by this software include:
• tracking the flow of information from data to decisions,
• quantifying the decision repercussions of information insufficiency,
• identifying what may go wrong if a certain course of management action is pursued,
• optimising management in the face of uncertainty,
• determining data acquisition strategies that can provide early warning of management failure.
The premise of these talks will be that modelling should not be automatically considered as the decision-support tool of choice. Instead, it must earn its place at the decision-making table. The metrics for “earn” should be clearly defined, so that expectations are realistic. Meanwhile, modelling should also provide a focus for scientific collaboration from which participants can learn much about a site, at the same time as they learn about modern ways of extracting information from data, and understand the decision implications of information deficits.
The afternoon’s audience-participatory discussion will be lead by a number of highly experienced personnel from consulting companies, academia and research institutions. It will focus on real-world examples – including modelling horror stories and modelling success stories. It will also include a collaborative worked example. The atmosphere will be light-hearted and informal. The session will seek to build bridges between hydrogeologists, modellers, decision-makers and stakeholders by broadening their awareness of what groundwater modelling can, and cannot, provide to those who participate in the decision-making process.
W7) Introduction to modeling hydraulic head time series with Pastas
Building B, Room Rinerhorn (meeting point congress entrance)
Collenter, Raoul; Collenter HydroConsult
Vonk, Martin; Artesia/ Delft University of Technology
Bakker, Mark; Delft University of Technology
Full day
Price (including lunch, coffee breaks):
Regular: 400 CHF
Low Income Country/Students: 300 CHF
Topic and objectives
Time series modeling has become an increasingly popular method to solve groundwater problems. This workshop provides a theoretical and practical introduction into time series modeling, with hands-on exercises using the open source modeling software Pastas and Jupyter Notebooks. We focus lumped-parameter models using impulse response functions to describe groundwater level fluctuations. This data-driven method can for example be used to investigate which hydrological forcings (e.g., precipitation, evaporation) influence the groundwater levels, but also to quantify groundwater recharge and the effect of groundwater pumping.
This workshop is aimed at groundwater researchers and practitioners interested in using time series models in their hydrogeological studies. No previous experience with time series modeling is required, but some familiarity with Python is highly recommended to successfully complete the in-class exercises performed in Jupyter Notebooks. During the day there will be a number of example case studies and plenty of opportunities for discussions. After this course participants will be able to identify when the approach can be helpful, and apply simple time series models to solve real-world groundwater problems.
Who should attend
Basic familiarity with the Python syntax is recommended. Participants need to bring their own laptops with Python installed. Instructions will be sent in advance.