Selkirk College students explore Groundwater Monitoring

Students with the Selkirk College School of Environment and Geomatics participate in a groundwater monitoring field lab at the College. LLC Photos.

A collaboration between Living Lakes Canada (LLC) and Selkirk College’s School of Environment and Geomatics has given first year students a glimpse into the world of groundwater monitoring.

In November 2021, with funding from Columbia Basin Trust and TD Friends of the Environment, two LLC team members, Carol Luttmer, Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program Manager, and Santiago Botero, Applied Innovation and Technology Manager, helped to facilitate a number of student labs for the Selkirk College hydrology class as well as establish a Volunteer Observation Well on the college campus in Castlegar.

With these labs students received valuable training and hands-on experience in methods used to monitor volunteer observation wells, groundwater movement, and hydraulic connectivity. 

Santiago, former Selkirk student, shares his enthusiasm for the project,

As a recent Selkirk Graduate, I was very excited for the chance to return to Selkirk to help train and educate current students on important issues, techniques, and theory around groundwater monitoring. The experience was really rewarding for me as a water and environmental professional as it served me as an opportunity to test and apply my knowledge while teaching others. 

– Santiago Botero, Applied Innovation and Technology Manager

Small lab groups of students were first walked through safety and monitoring procedures, including proper data notation. Students then were instructed in the use of the technology, such as Bluetooth sensors, that allow for prompt and effective retrieval of monitoring data.

Facilitators shared with students the challenges and opportunities around the use of equipment such as sensors for environmental monitoring, and how these data can bring better situational awareness of what is happening in our aquifers.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn from Carol and Santiago. They were able to explain first-hand how the topics we are learning about in class are applicable to environmental projects both locally and across B.C. I especially appreciated the opportunity to meet Santiago, a graduate of the Integrated Environmental Planning Program, and learn about the innovative ways he is using his education.

– Jess Oundjian, 1st year School of Environment and Geomatics Student

LLC has provided equipment and training to Selkirk faculty so that students in future years can continue to monitor groundwater and collect data from the on-campus observation well, which is now part of the Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program. The Program tracks groundwater levels in aquifers throughout the Columbia Basin and shares the data publicly to support the effective management, protection, and sustainable use of groundwater for the benefit of the people and ecosystems that rely on this resource.