Is groundwater recharge always serving us well? Water supply provisioning, crop production, and flood attenuation in conflict in Wisconsin, USA

Being Austria's fourth largest water-supply company, the Grazer Stadtwerke AG., has ensured the successful water-supply of the Styrian capital with 250.000 inhabitants for many years. The average daily water demand of the area amounts to about 50,000 m3. Approximately 30 % of the total demand is covered by the bulk water supply from the Zentral Wasser Versorgung Hochschwab Süd. The waterworks Friesach and Andritz, which cover the additional 70 % of the water demand, operate by means of artificial groundwater recharge plants where horizontal filter wells serve as drawing shafts. The groundwater recharge systems serve to increase the productivity of the aquifer and to reduce the share of the infiltration from the Mur River. Protection areas have been identified to ensure that the water quality of the aquifer stay at optimal levels. The protection areas are divided into zones indicating various restrictions for usage and planning. Two respective streams serve as the source for the water recharge plants. Different infiltration systems are utilised. Each of the various artificial groundwater recharge systems displays specific advantages and disadvantages in terms of operation as well as maintenance. In order to secure a sustainable drinking water supply the recharge capacity will be increased. Within an experimental setting different mixtures of top soils are investigated with respect to infiltration and retention rates and compared to the characteristics of the existing basins. It can be shown that the current operating sand basin with more than 90% grains in the range between 0.063 and 6.3 mm represents the best combination of infiltration and retention rates. In future experiments the performance of alternative grain size distributions as well as planting the top soil will be tested. Additionally, in order to optimize the additional groundwater recharge structures the composition of the subsurface water regarding its origin is statistically analyzed.

Download Full-text

Deficit Irrigation in Peach Orchards under Water Scarcity Conditions

KnE Engineering ◽

10.18502/keg.v5i6.7092 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

António Canatário Duarte ◽

Abel Veloso ◽

António Ramos ◽

Dora Ferreira ◽

Maria Paula Simões

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Dilution Effect ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Total Production ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Total Soluble Solids ◽

Average Production

The irrigation patterns in two peach orchards, located in the central eastern region of Portugal, called “Beira Interior”, and the effect of different amounts of irrigation on the total production and fruit quality were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in 2016, in two different orchards, and included three treatments correspondent to three different flow rates per tree: 8, 12 and 16 l/hour. The water balance, which included the water supplied by rain and irrigation and the crop evapotranspiration, was developed. At harvest, crop production, pulp firmness and percentage of the total soluble solids were evaluated. There were no significant differences between treatments in the average production per tree. However, in one of the orchards production increased with the volume of irrigation. In the same orchard, fruit firmness decreased with the increasing water supply. Total soluble solids had decreased with the increasing water supply in both orchards, probably as a consequence of the dilution effect due, directly, to the water incorporated in the fruits, or, indirectly, to the larger fruits produced by the trees that were irrigated more. In general, the treatments used in this study as well as in the farmers’ practices, the supplied water was in deficit, but the farmers tend empirically to follow closely the evolution of evapotranspiration. Keywords: Deficit irrigation, Peach tree, Production, Total soluble solids, Fruit firmness

Download Full-text

Well Water Site Selection at Local Scale Using Geographical Information System for Flood Victim in Malaysia

Indonesian Journal of Geography ◽

10.22146/ijg.32925 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 205

Author(s):

Koh Liew See ◽

Nayan Nasir ◽

Saleh Yazid ◽

Hashim Mohmadisa ◽

Mahat Hanifah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Water Sources ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Well Water ◽

Clean Water ◽

Flood Events ◽

Field Methods ◽

The Impact ◽

Area Data

Clean water supply is a major problem among flood victims during flood events. This article aims to determine the sites of well water sources that can be utilised during floods in the District of Kuala Krai, Kelantan. Field methods and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were applied in the process of selecting flood victim evacuation centres and wells. The data used were spatial data obtained primarily, namely the well data, evacuation centre data and flood area data. The well and evacuation centre data were obtained by field methods conducted to determine the position of wells using global positioning system tools, and the same for the location of the evacuation centres. Information related to evacuation centres was obtained secondarily from multiple agencies and gathered into GIS as an evacuation centre attribute. The flood area data was also obtained via secondary data and was digitised using the ArcGIS software. The data processing was divided into two stages, namely the first stage of determining the flood victim evacuation centres to be used in this research in a structural manner based on two main criteria which were the extent to which an evacuation centre was affected by the flood and the highest capacity of victims for each district with the greatest impact to the flood affected population. The second stage was to determine the location of wells based on three criteria, namely i) not affected by flood, ii) the closest distance to the selected flood victim evacuation centre and iii) located at different locations. Among the main GIS analyses used were locational analysis, overlay analysis, and proximity analysis. The results showed that four (4) flood evacuation centres had been chosen and matched the criteria set, namely SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 2, SMK Manek Urai Lama, SMK Laloh and SK Kuala Gris. While six (6) wells had been selected as water sources that could be consumed by the flood victims at 4 evacuation centres in helping to provide clean water supply, namely Kg. Keroh 16 (T1), Kg. Batu Mengkebang 10 (T2), Lepan Meranti (T3), Kg. Budi (T4), Kg. Jelawang Tengah 2 (T5) and Kg. Durian Hijau 1 (T6). With the presence of the well water sources that can be used during flood events, clean water supply can be distributed to flood victims at the evacuation centres. Indirectly, this research can reduce the impact of floods in the future, especially in terms of clean water supply even during the hit of a major flood.

Download Full-text

Artificial Recharge of Groundwater with Reclaimed Municipal Wastewater: Current Status and Proposed Criteria

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1992.0340 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 25 (12) ◽

pp. 87-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T. Asano

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Organic Contaminants ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Artificial Recharge ◽

Microbial Pathogens ◽

Current Status ◽

Water Supply Systems ◽

Wastewater Reclamation ◽

Trace Organic Contaminants

Current status and the proposed criteria for artificial recharge of groundwater with reclaimed municipal wastewater are discussed with special reference to controlling microbial pathogens and trace organic contaminants. The draft criteria have been developed by the State of California Interagency Water Reclamation Coordinating Committee, followed by the Groundwater Recharge Committee of the Department of Health Services (DHS). The proposed criteria are in the final review process and are expected to be adopted in late 1992 by the DHS as a part of the revised, state-wide Wastewater Reclamation Criteria. The discussions and the draft criteria presented in this paper facilitate the approval of groundwater recharge projects by identifying the nature and characteristics of groundwater recharge projects that do not jeopardize the public water supply systems including use of groundwater for potable water supply. These criteria are intended to provide uniform state-wide application of regulations on which to regulate and design groundwater recharge projects using reclaimed municipal wastewater as a source of recharge water.

Download Full-text

Water Supply Facility Damage and Water Resource Operation at Disaster Base Hospitals in Miyagi Prefecture in the Wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x15000084 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 193-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Takashi Matsumura ◽

Shizuka Osaki ◽

Daisuke Kudo ◽

Hajime Furukawa ◽

Atsuhiro Nakagawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Water Supply ◽

Water Resource ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Well Water ◽

Publication Type ◽

Care Services ◽

Miyagi Prefecture ◽

Alternative Water ◽

Questionnaire Surveys

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to shed light on damage to water supply facilities and the state of water resource operation at disaster base hospitals in Miyagi Prefecture (Japan) in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011), in order to identify issues concerning the operational continuity of hospitals in the event of a disaster.MethodsIn addition to interview and written questionnaire surveys to 14 disaster base hospitals in Miyagi Prefecture, a number of key elements relating to the damage done to water supply facilities and the operation of water resources were identified from the chronological record of events following the Great East Japan Earthquake.ResultsNine of the 14 hospitals experienced cuts to their water supplies, with a median value of three days (range = one to 20 days) for service recovery time. The hospitals that could utilize well water during the time that water supply was interrupted were able to obtain water in quantities similar to their normal volumes. Hospitals that could not use well water during the period of interruption, and hospitals whose water supply facilities were damaged, experienced significant disruption to dialysis, sterilization equipment, meal services, sanitation, and outpatient care services, though the extent of disruption varied considerably among hospitals. None of the hospitals had determined the amount of water used for different purposes during normal service or formulated a plan for allocation of limited water in the event of a disaster.ConclusionThe present survey showed that it is possible to minimize the disruption and reduction of hospital functions in the event of a disaster by proper maintenance of water supply facilities and by ensuring alternative water resources, such as well water. It is also clear that it is desirable to conclude water supply agreements and formulate strategic water allocation plans in preparation for the eventuality of a long-term interruption to water services.MatsumuraT, OsakiS, KudoD, FurukawaH, NakagawaA, AbeY, YamanouchiS, EgawaS, TominagaT, KushimotoS. Water supply facility damage and water resource operation at disaster base hospitals in Miyagi Prefecture in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(2):1-5.

Download Full-text

A large-scale simulation model to assess karstic groundwater recharge over Europe and the Mediterranean

Geoscientific Model Development ◽

10.5194/gmd-8-1729-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 1729-1746 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

A. Hartmann ◽

T. Gleeson ◽

R. Rosolem ◽

F. Pianosi ◽

Y. Wada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Supply ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Drinking Water Supply ◽

Actual Evapotranspiration ◽

Small Scale ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Karst Water ◽

Karst Processes ◽

Global Hydrology

Abstract. Karst develops through the dissolution of carbonate rock and is a major source of groundwater contributing up to half of the total drinking water supply in some European countries. Previous approaches to model future water availability in Europe are either too-small scale or do not incorporate karst processes, i.e. preferential flow paths. This study presents the first simulations of groundwater recharge in all karst regions in Europe with a parsimonious karst hydrology model. A novel parameter confinement strategy combines a priori information with recharge-related observations (actual evapotranspiration and soil moisture) at locations across Europe while explicitly identifying uncertainty in the model parameters. Europe's karst regions are divided into four typical karst landscapes (humid, mountain, Mediterranean and desert) by cluster analysis and recharge is simulated from 2002 to 2012 for each karst landscape. Mean annual recharge ranges from negligible in deserts to > 1 m a−1 in humid regions. The majority of recharge rates range from 20 to 50% of precipitation and are sensitive to subannual climate variability. Simulation results are consistent with independent observations of mean annual recharge and significantly better than other global hydrology models that do not consider karst processes (PCR-GLOBWB, WaterGAP). Global hydrology models systematically under-estimate karst recharge implying that they over-estimate actual evapotranspiration and surface runoff. Karst water budgets and thus information to support management decisions regarding drinking water supply and flood risk are significantly improved by our model.

Download Full-text

UTILIZATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN PRODUCTION OF ALLIUM SPECIES

VEGETABLE CROPS OF RUSSIA ◽

10.18619/2072-9146-2018-3-93-98 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 93-98

Author(s):

G. Caruso ◽

N. A. Golubkina ◽

Т. M. Seredin ◽

V. М. Sellitto

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Water Supply ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Crop Production ◽

Normal Growth ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Environmental Safety ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Allium Species

The fundamental direction of modern agriculture development is elaboration and utilization of technologies that ensure environmental safety, high plant productivity and quality of crop production. In this connection, the issues of optimization of mineral nutrition and water supply, immunity enhancement and protection of plants against various forms of biotic and abiotic stresses without significant environmental stress are of current interest. Normal growth and development of almost all plants on the Earth depends on the presence of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, which ensure optimal plant nutrition and water supply due to the huge number of hyphae. The review discusses the prospects for the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the cultivation of Allium species, as the most responsive plants to the effects of mycorrhizae due to the poorly developed root system that hinders the nutrition of plants. It is noted that utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may provide the reduction of the amount of fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides needed for high productivity of crops. The review deals with the peculiarities of symbiotic interrelations of different species of mycorrhizal fungi (pure and mixed cultures, mainly of the genus Glomus) with different Allium species (onion, garlic, shallot, leek, A. roylei, A. fistulosum, A. galanthum). Questions of agricultural crops quality as affected by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungy are discussed. Data on the effect of climatic conditions on the efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi utilization in Allium production are discussed. The possibility of increasing the efficiency of biofortification of Allium species with selenium via utilization of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi is noted, as well as an increase in the content of biologically active sulfur-containing compounds in garlic. Particular attention is paid to the necessity of the development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi preparations in Russia – the country not using this ecologically friendly technology at present.

Download Full-text

Hydrogeological deep percolation modelling of groundwater recharge in Voinjama Region, Liberia

Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management ◽

10.4314/ejesm.v9i6.4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 700-712

Author(s):

O.D. Onafeso ◽

A.O. Olusola ◽

S.A. Adeniyi

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Ground Water ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Root Zone ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Deep Percolation ◽

Average Width ◽

Percolation Method ◽

Ground Water Recharge ◽

Water Recharge

Indirect physical methods of assess groundwater recharge rely on the measurement or estimation of soil physical parameters, which along with soil physical principles; can be used to estimate the potential or actual recharge. However, the deep percolation method uses a daily water- budget approach to simulate deep percolation. In this method, the model computes daily fluxes of water into and out of a volume extending from the top of foliage to the bottom of the root zone and accounts for changes in water content. In most environments, deep percolation is destined to recharge the saturated systems that are tapped by wells. Deep percolation technique was deployed to determine the rate of ground water recharge in the Voinjama region of Liberia, and also establish points of lineaments where wells can be dug for water supply. The perimeter of the hypothesized basin is about 28.9km while the length of the thalweg of the mainstream is about 11km. the average width of the basin area is 5.9km while the circumference of the equivalent circular area is 25.33km and compactness coefficient (R) of the basin is computed at 1.14. The elongation ratio (Er) is computed at 0.73km. The diurnal recharge computed from Deep Percolation was 6712.21 cm3 /km2 per annum. In conclusion, this study aids the restoration of water supply system destroyed during the war periods emphasizing the abundant water in the hydrological system and viable ground water recharge adequate for exploitation in a near uniform geology. Several faults and crevices scattered abroad the area were recorded indicating good lineament distribution and abundant aquifer recharge.Keywords: Hydrogeology, Deep Percolation Method, Groundwater, Recharge

Download Full-text

Recycling water in U.S. cities: understanding preferences for aquifer recharging and dual-reticulation systems

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2019.162 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1207-1223 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David J. Hess ◽

Brandi M. Collins

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Power Plants ◽

Potable Water ◽

Water Source ◽

Water Supply Systems ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Water Supplies ◽

Supply Systems

Abstract Recycling of effluent water from urban water-supply systems is often a more sustainable water source than increased use of surface sources, groundwater sources, and desalination. However, water-supply organizations (WSOs) often do not take full advantage of recycled water. Although recycling water for direct potable use is efficient, public concern with safety has tended to cause WSOs to favor other uses for recycled water. This study examines patterns in the degree of utilization of two main indirect uses of recycled water: dual-reticulation systems and groundwater recharge. Drawing on case studies of four U.S. cities that are leaders in the use of recycled water, the study identifies conditions that favor the choice of one option over the other. Where cities are concerned with groundwater recharge of potable water supplies, they tend to prefer non-recycled water if available for recharge projects. However, where non-recycled water supplies are limited, recycled water may be prioritized for aquifer recharge. Otherwise, the preference is for use by large industrial partners such as power plants or for exchanges for higher-quality potable water resources with rural systems. In contrast, dual-reticulation (purple-pipe) systems for direct nonpotable recycling face steep economic and technical challenges.

Download Full-text

Softening a Well Water Supply

American Water Works Association ◽

10.1002/j.1551-8833.1931.tb17823.x ◽

1931 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 272-275

Author(s):

N. T. Veatch ◽

B. L. Ulrich

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Well Water

Download Full-text