Select Page

Reuben Dandurand, P.Geo.

Reuben Dandurand, P.Geo.
Scientist

Reuben Dandurand, P.Geo.

Scientist

Mr. Reuben Dandurand is a hydrogeologist with 6 years of experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting hydrogeological data to support decision-makers for municipal, state, and federal regulatory agencies as well as various industry clients.  His experience as a numerical groundwater modeler is extensive, and he has analyzed fate and migration of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as well as inorganic and organic contaminants. Mr. Dandurand has applied a variety of advanced conceptual and groundwater flow modeling software to tackle challenging and atypical questions. His field experience includes drilling oversight on air-rotary, mud-rotary, diam...

Mr. Reuben Dandurand is a hydrogeologist with 6 years of experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting hydrogeological data to support decision-makers for municipal, state, and federal regulatory agencies as well as various industry clients.  His experience as a numerical groundwater modeler is extensive, and he has analyzed fate and migration of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as well as inorganic and organic contaminants. Mr. Dandurand has applied a variety of advanced conceptual and groundwater flow modeling software to tackle challenging and atypical questions. His field experience includes drilling oversight on air-rotary, mud-rotary, diamond, sonic, and auger rigs, performing televiewer surveys and providing oversight on well installations and various hydraulic testing methods. He has also planned and supervised field activities with multiple simultaneous operations.

Read More    Read Less   

PFAS

Vadose Zone Contaminant Transport Modeling of Municipal Biosolid Amended Soils, Michigan Developed a conceptual geologic model and transient vadose zone contaminant transport model to evaluate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations in municipal biosolid amended soils and the resultant concentration in water that reaches the water table. The model was developed to investigate the influence of transient conditions and transport mechanisms specific to PFOA and PFOS.
Literature Review and Model Capability Evaluation, Michigan Technical lead conducting a review of the numerical modeling codes for the purpose of modeling PFAS fate and migration in the vadose zone. In support of this effort, also conducted a thorough literature review on the physicochemical behavior of PFOS and PFOA in the vadose zone. Evaluated the numerical modeling software (codes) on the basis of being able to model PFAS contaminant transport in the vadose zone.  Code selection criteria, code recommendations, and modeling methodology were presented to the client. Special consideration was given to the code being able to model transport mechanisms specific to PFOS and PFOA (e.g., adsorption to the air–water interface).

Fate and Transport

Conceptual Site Model (CSM) Development/Refinement, Arsenic Fate and Transport Modeling, and Remedial Options Evaluation, British Columbia Developed a conceptual hydrogeological model and a transient groundwater and contaminant transport model to evaluate proposed remedial options for arsenic contamination in the benthic zone. The model was developed to investigate the necessity of a geotextile barrier and compare different methodologies for capping the arsenic contaminated mine tailings. Reported and presented findings to the regulating authority and First Nations stakeholders.
CSM Development, Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fate and Transport Modeling, British Columbia Technical lead conducting SAT/UNSAT (saturated/unsaturated) modeling of a complex flow regime with variable history of contaminant releases in an urban environment with perched aquifers. Part of this work also required rebuilding the conceptual hydrogeological model and fieldwork for site characterization.  Petroleum hydrocarbon fate and transport was modeled as part of a risk assessment and to support litigation. Documented model results and reported to the client, regulating authority, and stakeholders.
CSM Development, Ammonium Fate and Transport Modeling, Alberta Developed a conceptual geologic model and groundwater flow model to evaluate the effectiveness of current remedial activities and future remedial options at a munitions manufacturing facility. The model was developed to investigate flow directions, discharge or recharge to/from surface water features, water balance, contaminant travel pathways and the capture zone for current and proposed interceptor trench. Model results were documented and reported to the client and provided guidance for ongoing remedial activities at an operational site.
CSM Development and Fate and Transport Modeling, Kitimat, British Columbia Developed a hydrogeological conceptual model and numerical groundwater model to interpret leachate migration pathways and flux to stream receptors. The steady-state groundwater model was calibrated to quarterly monitoring data for a shallow unconfined aquifer. Model results were documented and reported to the client and provided guidance for remedial activities to ensure protection of streams and freshwater resources.

Groundwater Modeling

Tailings Storage Facility Decommissioning and Reclamation, Manitoba Developed a regional numerical groundwater model calibrated to current conditions for a large tailings storage facility at a recently closed mine site.
Tailings Storage Facility Operations and Dam Raises, Dominican Republic Developed a numerical groundwater model calibrated to current conditions for a large tailings storage facility. Subsequently modeled predictive scenarios of the groundwater flow regime and pore pressure distribution in response to proposed dam raises to inform tailings dam design criteria for earthquake or other geotechnical assessments. Sensitivity analysis conducted to capture uncertainty in the geologic model and consider worst case material properties at locations with higher than normal measured Lugeon values.
Landfill Leachate Containment for Unlined Landfill, Vancouver Island, British Columbia Developed a hydrogeological conceptual model in a low permeability fracture-flow dominated setting. Subsequently constructed a numerical groundwater model and performed a thorough sensitivity analysis to interpret leachate migration pathways, inform landfill design criteria, and assess vulnerability to climate change.
Mine Permitting and Environmental Impact Assessment, Manitoba Developed a conceptual hydrogeological model and numerical groundwater model to estimate impacts to aquifers and drawdown for proposed subsurface mining of silica sand for an environmental impact assessment. Borehole lithology and groundwater level information were incorporated from a variety of private and public sources including the Groundwater Information Network database. The groundwater model was calibrated to transient data for multiple aquifers using pumping test data from the field investigation and then used to assess the impacts of a new mining technology.
Gold Mine Environmental Assessment, Western Australia Developed a conceptual hydrogeological model and groundwater model to support an Environmental Assessment application for an expanding gold mine in Western Australia. Groundwater inflows to the proposed underground mine workings, reductions in baseflow to nearby surface water receptors, and reductions in groundwater levels at nearby monitoring well locations were estimated during mining, at end of mining, and at closure. Report and model results were compliant with Western Australia’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation guidelines and were used to support the mining proposal and an application to amend the site License to Take Water and provide hydrogeological information to guide future updates to the operating strategy and feasibility engineering designs.
Dewatering and Inflow Assessment, British Columbia Developed a conceptual hydrogeologic model and a series of groundwater flow models to evaluate inflows and dewatered volumes during construction under several dewatering scenarios. The model was used in support of a Water Use Approval application under the British Columbia Water Sustainability Act for open cut excavations of a proposed sewer line in Richmond, British Columbia.

Site Assessment

Preliminary Site Assessments and Data Gap Analysis, Various Sites in British Columbia and Alberta Conducted activities in support of preliminary site assessments including interpreting aerial photographs, gathering historical records and land titles, submitting information requests, reviewing as-built and other construction documents as well as documentation on known contaminant releases, borehole logs, water well records and logs, and records of groundwater or surface water monitoring. Other responsibilities included reviewing available information and regulations to recommend which water use standards were applicable to various sites. Also responsible for proposing soil, groundwater, and vapor sampling locations and specifying monitoring well installation details.

Site Investigation

Site Investigation/Characterization for Environmental Impact Assessment, Manitoba Planned and supervised fieldwork to characterize the hydrostratigraphy at a proposed mine project site. Field activities included mud rotary, air dual-rotary, and diamond tip drilling; borehole lithology logging and rock quality designation analysis; installation of several standpipe piezometers, wells, and vibrating-wire piezometers; and hydraulic testing of the aquifers.
Seepage Recovery System Field Characterization, Alaska Conducted fieldwork to characterize the bedrock hydraulic properties and install water supply wells at the remote project site. Field activities included air dual-rotary drilling; borehole lithology logging; acoustic televiewer surveying; groundwater sampling; and installation of several standpipe piezometers, wells, and vibrating-wire piezometers.

Planning and Permitting

Water Supply Well Permitting, Coquitlam, British Columbia Oversaw drilling, well installation, and hydraulic testing for a new high productivity emergency water supply well. Planned and carried out fieldwork drilling, installation, and testing of the target aquifer and submitted permit application for the client’s now-licensed water supply well.
Silica Mine Permitting, Manitoba Developed a conceptual hydrogeological model, oversaw the site investigation, and used numerical groundwater models to estimate impacts proposed subsurface mining of silica sand to aquifers of local stakeholders. The mine proposal generated intense public interest and is currently under litigation. The fieldwork and modeling work performed withstood the scrutiny of third‑party academic and professional technical review.
Gold Mine Permitting, Western Australia Developed a conceptual hydrogeological model and groundwater model to support an Environmental Assessment application for an expanding gold mine in Western Australia. Groundwater inflows to the proposed underground mine workings, reductions in baseflow to nearby surface water receptors, and reductions in groundwater levels at nearby monitoring well locations were estimated during mining, at end of mining, and at closure. Report and model results were compliant with Western Australia’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation guidelines and were used to support the mining proposal and an application to amend the site License to Take Water and provide hydrogeological information to guide future updates to the operating strategy and feasibility engineering designs.
Tailings Storage Facility Seepage Recovery System Permitting Hydrogeological Characterization, Alaska Conducted fieldwork to characterize the bedrock hydraulic properties in support of seepage recovery system mine permitting.

Groundwater Remediation

Seepage Recovery System Design, Manitoba Hydrogeologist responsible for designing a seepage containment and recovery system for a tailings dam that was not properly containing mine effluent. This time-sensitive project had access and constructability issues that needed to be considered. Several proposed designs were presented and discussed with project staff and the client. Once the preferred design option was selected, the system design was detailed and given to the client for a local contractor to build.
Groundwater Pump and Treat System Evaluation, Alberta Investigated the effectiveness of a groundwater interception trench in mitigating contaminated groundwater discharge to a stream environment. Used numerical groundwater flow models and monitoring data to determine whether the existing trench and curtain drain were effective and made design recommendations for system upgrade.

Geotechnical

Geotechnical Site Investigation, Manitoba Hydrogeologist onsite overseeing a field program that entailed installing multiple piezometers, a water supply well, and nested piezometer used for geotechnical (rock mass strength) characterization of the project site. Field activities included supervising drilling, logging geotechnical cores, and analyzing rock quality designations of rock core.
Construction Inspection and Compaction Testing, Washington Inspected earth fill materials, compaction, and earthworks construction for large housing development site in Washington.
Field Assessment of Compaction, Various Sites, Washington Field technician responsible for density testing and inspecting subgrade materials for many sites in Washington state.
Laboratory Assessment of Geotechnical Material Properties, Various Clients, Washington Collected samples and conducted laboratory testing of material properties such as grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, proctor compaction testing, and uniaxial load or triaxial shear test.
Landslide Assessment near Conrad Yukon, Yukon Geological Survey, Yukon Aided in the field investigation of a landslide near Conrad Yukon.

Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater Monitoring Planning, Installation, and Data Analysis, Various Sites in British Columbia and Alberta Proposed soil, groundwater, and vapor sampling locations and monitoring well installation details for numerous contaminated sites in British Columbia and Alberta. Oversaw drilling using variety of drilling technologies, logged continuous core samples, screened soil using a photoionization detector, collected soil samples, oversaw temporary well installation, collected groundwater samples, and submitted samples for laboratory analysis.  Documented field activities and results in preliminary site investigation and detailed site investigation reports according to the British Columbia Contaminated Sites Regulation.
Groundwater Monitoring for Environmental Impact Assessment, Manitoba Planned and oversaw fieldwork that included extensive monitoring program during well installation and development. Monitoring network consisted of several nested standpipe piezometers as well as vibrating wire piezometer installed/screened in two aquifers and the leaky aquitard that separates them. Monitoring data were collected during well development and a 72-hour pumping test as well as individual rising head and falling head tests. Long-term monitoring data were collected to provide a baseline and support mine permitting. Monitoring data were processed and subsequently used to provide a transient data set for numerical groundwater model calibration.
Fish Hatchery Water Supply Well Assessment, Vancouver, British Columbia Evaluated well performance decline of two highly productive water supply wells used to provide fresh water for a fish hatchery located in a large earth dam. Analyzed records of water levels around the embankment and well performance, conducted site visits, and interviewed operators to understand the issues causing the performance decline. Provided recommendations to the client, oversaw well improvements, and delivered the client the freshwater supply needed to maintain the hatchery.
RETURN TO OUR TEAM PAGE

This site uses cookies to improve the user experience. See our Privacy Policy.