H20 Chelsea Water Research Program - Our Goal: To develop a better understanding of ground and surface water resources in Chelsea that will inform municipal planning and management descisions.

Adopt Our Programs - Water Quantity of Wells

H2O Chelsea has used three different approaches to study well water quantity: a Water Questionnaire, the Water Census, and our Static Level Program. Details of these three programs can be found below.

For a comprehensive overview of our water quantity programs, please see our Municipal Approaches to Groundwater Monitoring and Management manual developped with the generous assistance of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation. The manual describes our water quantity monitoring programs (Census, Questionnaire and Static Level programs) and groundwater policy/management options that have been implemented by Chelsea and other municipalities in North America.

Water Questionnaire

The H2O Chelsea Water Questionnaire is a two-page series of questions asking residents for their observations regarding water quantity and quality in the community. The Questionnaire will help:

  1. Guide the development of your water monitoring programs (e.g. define research priorities).
  2. Inform municipal personnel about water quality and quantity concerns in the community.  
  3. Communicate information regarding your water research program and provide a platform for seeking volunteer assistance.

Residents are asked to complete the questionnaire annually.  Responses are kept confidential and are not filed in the property’s municipal records.

Water Questionnaire Implementation Manual

2004 Water Questionnaire

Database for storing Water Questionnaire responses (contact us)


Water Census

The H2O Chelsea Water Census was developed as a comprehensive follow-up to our Water Questionnaire. The 12 pages of questions contained in the census ask residents to provide detailed information regarding their domestic well, including: rate of water consumption, structural characteristics such as well and pump depth, maintenance history and the frequency and duration of any well-water shortages. The Water Census also seeks feedback from residents regarding the type of municipal involvement in groundwater management that is considered appropriate by the community.

Water Census Implementation Manual

2005 Water Census

Database for storing Water Census responses (contact us)

Online-form version of the Water Census (contact us)


Static Level Program

The static level of a well is the measurement of the height of water in the well when the aquifer reaches equilibrium (when the pump has not been used for an extended period of time and the water level returns to its natural level). By monitoring the static level of wells throughout the year, you can detect fluctuations in groundwater levels in local aquifers. The program was designed for three main reasons:

  1. Give municipal planners information about annual and long-term water level fluctuations of the wells in their community;
  2. Educate residents about groundwater and conservation options;
  3. Verify and/or follow up on information received through other water quantity monitoring initiatives (e.g. the H2O Chelsea Water Questionnaire and Water Census).

Static Level Program Implementation Manual

Static Level Protocols: Steps to follow for sampling

Disclaimer and Privacy form: Bilingual disclaimer that must be filled out by participating households prior to sampling

Static Data Sheet #1: Bilingual form used to record static level sampling data during the first measurement of the season.

Static Data Sheet #2: Bilingual form used to record static level sampling data for the rest of the season.


Database for storing Static Level Program data (contact us)

Online form for web input of Static Level data to the database (contact us)