WSA Pilot Butte South

As part of the Regina Aquifer Management Plan, observation well WSA Pilot Butte South was constructed in 1987 to a depth of 39.47 metres in Upper Floral Formation sands forming the Zehner aquifer.  The well is located adjacent to WSA Pilot Butte North, which monitors the overlyng Condie Zehner aquifer.  The two aquifers are separated by about seven metres of glacial till. 

The water levels trends in WSA Pilot Butte North and South closely follow each other, but are generally around three metres higher in Pilot Butte South.  Consequently, there is a clear upward gradient from the Zehner aquifer up into the Condie aquifer at this location.  Water levels in Pilot Butte South began to increase in the early 1990’s after the City of Regina ceased groundwater withdrawals from the Zehner aquifer.  Since 1997, the characteristics of the hydrograph suggest that the well is being influenced by an unknown pumping source.  Following strong recharge in 2011 and 2012, water levels reached a record high level of about 613.6 metres in 2012.  Water levels currently remain at very high.   

Water from WSA Pilot Butte South has a sum of ions concentration of 1341 mg/L and is of the calcium-bicarbonate/sulphate type.