ID: 2117
Presenting Author: Melissa Bunn
Session: 678 - Advancing government approaches to effective science communication in Impact Assessment
Status: pending
Communicating Groundwater Science across disciplines and communities.
Groundwater is a key component of the water cycle, comprising about 30% of Canada’s freshwater supply. Yet, as a largely invisible resource, it remains less understood by the public relative to surface water. Hydrogeologists, scientists who study groundwater, require unique communication skills to make the invisible visible. This challenge is compounded by specialized terminology, integration with geology, reliance on complex numerical models, early applications of machine learning, and the inherent uncertainty of the science, which can erode public confidence if poorly conveyed.
Within impact assessments, hydrogeologists play a critical role, as groundwater effects influence surface water quality and quantity, fish habitat, access to drinking water, and Indigenous rights. Ensuring these effects are properly evaluated demands clear communication of technical information to stakeholders, rights holders, and interested parties. Among technical specialists, this often involves developing a shared vocabulary, since terms can have different, or even opposite, meanings across disciplines. Maps also play a powerful role, helping experts visualize data consistently, identify key areas of interaction, and focus assessment discussions. For external audiences, early communication using plain language can help align the technical review with local knowledge and community priorities. This dialogue builds trust and ensures that site-specific insights are meaningfully incorporated into the assessment.
Although uncertainty is a defining feature of groundwater science, it is rarely qua
Melissa Bunn is a research scientist at Natural Resources Canada, and the Geological Survey of Canada. Their experience in impact assessment spans more than a decade between industry and government.