01
Understand groundwater pathways
Visualise how groundwater may move between potential sources, aquifers, site boundaries and environmental receptors.
Home / 3D Conceptual Groundwater Models
3D conceptualisation
See the groundwater system.
Understand the pathways and risk.
Soltera develops three-dimensional conceptual hydrogeological models that bring geology, aquifers, monitoring bores, groundwater behaviour, potential sources, migration pathways and receptors together in one clear visual framework.
A stronger conceptual model
Turn complex subsurface information into something people can see.
Groundwater risk is inherently three-dimensional. Bore logs, geological units, aquifers, screened intervals, groundwater elevations and potential contaminant pathways are often difficult to communicate using separate plans, tables and two-dimensional cross-sections.
Soltera can integrate these datasets into a 3D conceptual hydrogeological model using specialist tools such as Seequent Leapfrog, where appropriate to the complexity and objectives of the project. The resulting model can be rotated, sliced and viewed from different perspectives to make aquifer architecture, monitoring coverage, pathways and uncertainty easier to understand and communicate.
✓Geological and hydrostratigraphic units
✓Aquifers, aquitards and interpreted boundaries
✓Monitoring bore locations, depths and screened intervals
✓Groundwater levels and interpreted flow directions
✓Potential contaminant sources, pathways and receptors
✓Data gaps and areas of conceptual uncertainty
Why it matters
More than a visualisation.
A good 3D conceptual model supports technical decisions throughout the monitoring lifecycle and provides a common visual language for technical teams, clients, regulators and non-specialist stakeholders.
02
Design better monitoring networks
Use the conceptual model to assess spatial and vertical monitoring coverage, identify gaps and support bore location and target-depth decisions.
03
Communicate environmental risk
Explain complex hydrogeological relationships clearly to project teams, decision-makers, regulators and procurement stakeholders.
04
Test the conceptual understanding
Identify inconsistencies, uncertainty and missing information that may need to be resolved through additional investigation or monitoring.
05
Support source–pathway–receptor assessment
Bring potential contaminant sources, migration mechanisms and receptors together in a coherent three-dimensional framework.
06
Provide a foundation for further analysis
Where required, the conceptual model can inform monitoring optimisation, technical interpretation and the scope of subsequent numerical modelling.
Typical applications
Particularly valuable on complex sites.
3D conceptualisation can add significant value where geology, multiple aquifers, contaminant pathways or monitoring objectives are difficult to understand in plan view alone.
✓Landfills and waste facilities
✓Mining and resources projects
✓Contaminated land and industrial facilities
✓Groundwater–surface water interaction
✓Multi-aquifer monitoring networks
✓Baseline, impact and closure assessments
3D conceptual groundwater modelling
Make the subsurface understandable.
Bring your bore logs, geology, groundwater levels and site risks together in a clear three-dimensional conceptual model.