University of Guelph — College of Engineering
Dr. Beth Parker, hydrogeologist at the University of Guelph, has revolutionized how we protect Canada’s most vital freshwater resource—groundwater—by probing deep into the earth to research contaminant movement in fractured bedrock aquifers.
Parker has reshaped scientific understanding of how contaminants, such as dense non-aqueous phase liquids, migrate through fractured rock, where they often persist for decades, or longer. Her discovery of diffusion and how pollutants stored in low-permeability zones slowly re-enter groundwater, explains why traditional cleanup methods often fail. This breakthrough has led to smarter, more sustainable remediation strategies used globally.
Parker developed several innovative tools and workflows, including COREDFN and the “golden spike” approach, two advancements that allow high-resolution monitoring and predictive modelling of groundwater systems. Her methods are now used by municipalities, engineers, and policymakers to assess risks, guide remediation, and safeguard drinking water, especially in rural and Indigenous communities.
As climate change and urbanization intensify pressure on aquifers, Parker’s fundamental discoveries and innovative research will continue to guide effective groundwater protection, ensuring clean water for generations to come.
University of Guelph
City of Guelph, WSP, Matrix Solutions Inc.
University Partnerships
Guelph is one of the largest cities in Canada that is totally dependent on groundwater for drinking water. Unfortunately, threats of contamination, climate change and a rising demand from Guelph and its neighbours are putting the sustainability of their shared aquifer at risk. An innovative partnership between Dr. Beth Parker, the City of Guelph and two environmental engineering firms is managing risks to the City’s water supply by building an innovative multi-level monitoring well network and developing novel characterization and forecasting methods for the management and protection of bedrock groundwater flow systems.
The water supply aquifer, a dolomite bedrock formation, is one of the largest in the country and one of the most difficult to study due to its fractured bedrock structure. Responding to the City’s urgent need to understand and develop a risk management plan for contaminated sites, Parker and her team of collaborators transformed Guelph into a real-world groundwater protection field laboratory to develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to predict the magnitude and timing of potential impacts to the water supplies. This partnership has promoted and disseminated knowledge of effective, high-resolution methods for characterizing groundwater and contaminant behaviour in fractured bedrock to scientists, practitioners, and the community.
The results from Parker’s research and the City’s efforts have supported the continued safe operation of Guelph’s water supply wells, saved the City millions of dollars in potential water infrastructure costs, and made significant advancements for the protection of groundwater locally, nationally and globally.
