The complex monitoring and modelling system of Ida-Viru County is the first of its kind in Estonia. The system is compiled of 95 monitoring wells with automatic sensors that measure the level of groundwater and conductivity of water, and store data at an interval of every three hours. Fresh data will be uploaded to a database and monitoring models will be made on the basis of these data. It helps to get a constant overview of the state of groundwater and to make more efficient estimations that can be taken into consideration in planning of activities (e.g. extraction, but also regional and local plans) and making decisions. “Due to long-term mining of oil shale, the groundwater problems in Ida-Viru County are the worst in Estonia,” Kaisa Kivila, coordinator of the project and the Chief Specialist of the Water Department of the Ministry of the Environment said. “The latest research shows that the water pumped from the deeper Kambrium-Vendi water layers contains a lot of micro elements (Ba, B) and radionuclides in some places.” Groundwater levels and movement have also changed, since several mines have been closed in recent years and some areas may be subject to flooding. “Constant monitoring is, first and foremost, necessary for local undertakings, local governments, environmental specialists and other people related to the field of groundwater, but also to local residents. Modern and efficient monitoring system helps to maintain and save groundwater that is necessary for life,” Kivila emphasised. “It is also important that several bore wells are located on the territories of mines, thus making them important sources of information for undertakings.” The total cost of the project “Sustainable Groundwater Monitoring System of Ida-Viru County” is EUR 792,000, 85% of which is financed by the provider of foreign aid (Norway’s financial mechanisms) and 15% is co-financed by the Republic of Estonia. From 16–18 March, a seminar will be taking place in Ida-Viru County, at Mäetaguse manor, introducing the project structure, its importance and the results in detail. Presentations are made by the project partners: University of Tartu, the Institute of Geology at Tallinn University of Technology, and Eesti Geoloogiakeskus OÜ. |
