Because water resources are closely linked to our biosphere, the long-term management of a water supply requires the integration of numerous components, including groundwater-surface water interactions, climate change, land use, and changing population.  Since municipal and industrial water supplies are intended to be long-term, and perhaps perpetual, it is important to clearly understand all potential changes that could affect either the quantity or quality of the water supply.  The Jacques Whitford team approach synchronizes application of a number of related skills and disciplines such as:

• Hydrogeology
• Hydrology
• Aquatic and terrestrial ecology
• Geotechnical and environmental engineering
• Land use planning
• GIS mapping and modeling
• Public participation facilitation

Long-term water supply management and protection requires continuous monitoring, maintenance, public education and data review, and is an important part of any municipal land use planning or environmental management system program.  We can draw upon broad technical and geographic resources to respond to unique challenges, and any time- or cost-sensitive requirements. 

Specific services include:

• Water resource delineation
• Aquifer or watershed vulnerability assessment
• Development of water supply monitoring plans
• Aquifer and watershed protection plans
• Environmental management systems
• Wellhead protection planning
• Water quality risk assessment
• Climate change impact assessment
• Development of public education programs