The hydrogeologists of the Geological Survey of Estonia have accomplished in the beginning of this April thematic maps of hydrogeology and groundwater protection status of the Rapla and Järvakandi base maps, together with an explanation to the maps. These publications portray the groundwater of this region and topics related to its dynamics.
The brand new hydrogeological maps characterize the properties of the topmost groundwater aquifer system beneath the ground surface, i.e. the groundwater aquifer system of the Silurian-Ordovician bedrock: drainage properties and chemical composition (mineral content and regions with elevated concentration of iron). They also define the piezometric groundwater level both within the Silurian-Ordovician and Ordovician-Cambrian groundwater aquifer systems. In addition, the maps depict the major water intakes, groundwater intakes with confirmed resources, springs and karst areas.
The head of the Department of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Andres Marandi: „The maps available at the web page of the Geological Survey of Estonia are above all necessary for planning the use of groundwater in these regions, but also a basis for making various environmental decisions requiring information on the groundwater protection status.“
The groundwater protection status maps describe the protection status of the topmost bedrock groundwater aquifer system from surface contamination. The Rapla and Järvakandi region is divided into five categories on the basis of sediment thickness of the Quaternary cover, lithology and filtration properties: unprotected areas, weakly protected areas, areas of medium protection, relatively protected areas and protected areas.
The new maps can be found at the EGT web page. If desired, there is also a possibility to download the spatial data that are the basis of these maps.
