Aquifer Unit Management Plan (AUMP) For Groundwater Resources Management of Multi-layered Coastal Aquifer System
Abstract To address the vulnerability of coastal aquifer to over exploitation and sea water intrusion, a groundwater resources management plan titled as Aquifer Unit Management Plan (AUMP) is designed to provide valuable guidance for groundwater management of a multi-layered cuddalore coastal aquifer system located east coast of South India. The aquifer unit management plan is based on the summative examination of the aquifer unit disposition, response of hydraulic heads to recharge and discharge and effect of increased pumping on aquifer hydraulics. The safe hydraulic heads and annual exploitable potential were considered as the guiding factors to manage fresh groundwater resources of the coastal aquifer. The results show that the process of sea water intrusion has already started and with the present rate of pumping (1034.86 mcmy-1), the sea water intrusion risk has increased manifold all along the coast. The salient management strategies recommended are; restricting pumping to 695 mcmy-1, stepping up recharge activities in recharge zone, adopting water use efficiency methods and regulation in the coastal zone. AUMP is simple and can guide water managers to plan for sustainable groundwater withdrawal and safe guard the coastal aquifer from sea water intrusion and ensure sustainability of groundwater abstraction structures.
