Developing a water balance is an important step for most projects that involve water withdrawal, use and discharge—whether in construction or in operating industrial processes. This balance can be quantitative or qualitative, or both. This exercise provides a clear picture of available and expected water needs and estimates the impacts of operations on groundwater and surface water. It’s then used to establish and implement mitigation measures, which is why the right methods and reliable instruments are needed to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Keep an eye on hydrometeorological risks

In Québec, as elsewhere in Canada, spring and fall flooding can pose enormous management challenges and significant risks to structures that haven’t been properly designed or have been designed to respond only to normal conditions. That’s why it’s necessary to be proactive by preparing contingency and continuity plans for problematic situations to minimize impacts.

Use detailed forecasts to manage your water efficiently

Using hydrological expertise allows you to plan the capacity of your hydrological system and its limits so you can set up rigorous mitigation and monitoring measures. Today, hydrological forecasting and prediction have become indispensable, and public platforms make it easier to access this valuable data, which helps enhance current analysis and modelling practices.

Ensure worker and structural safety

Properly managing groundwater and surface water on the construction site helps ensure work can be carried out in a dry environment and safeguards structural integrity, which thus improves worker and equipment safety. Additionally, if you’re operating a mine, you need to ensure that rock walls are depressurized and water doesn’t seep through.