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

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1729-1746 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals A simulation model to assess groundwater recharge over Europe's karst regions

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 7887-7935 ◽  
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 4 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 ranges from 20–50% of precipitation and are sensitive to sub-annual 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 underestimate 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.

Experiences with the practical implementation and operation of biological nitrification for a small-scale drinking water treatment plant

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 922-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Richard ◽  
E. Mayr ◽  
M. Zunabovic ◽  
R. Allabashi ◽  
R. Perfler
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Treatment Performance ◽  
Biological Nitrification

The implementation and evaluation of biological nitrification as a possible treatment option for the small-scale drinking water supply of a rural Upper Austrian community was investigated. The drinking water supply of this community (average system input volume: 20 m3/d) is based on the use of deep anaerobic groundwater with a high ammonium content of geogenic origin (up to 5 mg/l) which must be treated to prevent the formation of nitrites in the drinking water supply system. This paper describes the implementation and operation of biological nitrification despite several constraints including space availability, location and financial and manpower resources. A pilot drinking water treatment plant, including biological nitrification implemented in sand filters, was designed and constructed for a maximum treatment capacity of 1.2 m3/h. Online monitoring of selected physicochemical parameters has provided continuous treatment performance data. Treatment performance of the plant was evaluated under standard operation as well as in the case of selected malfunction events.

scholarly journals Community Knowledge and Perception on Climate Change and Drinking Water Supply in Nzoia River Basin, Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Ernest Othieno Odwori
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Community Knowledge ◽  
Study Results

Nzoia River Basin is one of the regions in Kenya that is highly vulnerable to climate change. An understanding of community knowledge and perception on climate change and drinking water supply will provide strategic directions for national and county government policy, adaptation strategies and development of community-based guidelines on climate change. This study assessed community knowledge and perception on climate change and drinking water supply in Nzoia River Basin. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Three counties were randomly selected from the basin for study with Busia representing the lower catchment, Kakamega middle catchment and Trans Nzoia upper catchment. The study was carried out from May, 2017 to September, 2017. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select the 403 households administered with questionnaires. An observation checklist was used by the interviewers to collect household- and community-related information. The study results revealed that the community largely comes from low socio-economic background: only 24 % had post secondary education or higher, the majority were small scale farmers, housewives, casual workers and househelps (58 %), and only 25 % earned a monthly income above Ksh. 20,000 (equivalent to US $200). The majority of the participants 81 % had some knowledge about climate change but 19 % did not. On level of knowledge about climate change, 70% know a little/something about climate change, 21% know nothing about climate change and 9% know a lot about climate change. Majority of respondents, 76% receive climate change news from mass media (radio, newspaper and magazines, television); and 81 % point out that climate change will have public health risks in the community. The knowledge level about climate change in the basin was average. National and county governments should work with the sector stakeholders in the basin to improve community knowledge and perception regarding climate change, drinking water supply and health needs with proper content. The results of this study will go a long way in bridging the gap between policy formulation and building adaptive capacity to climate change in the basin.

Participatory multi-criteria evaluation of alternative options for water supply in cyclone-prone areas of Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal Sikder ◽  
Mashfiqus Salehin
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Cyclonic Storm ◽  
Sustainable Solutions

Availability of safe drinking water is considered a key challenge in the coastal region of Bangladesh. High concentrations of salinity, iron and arsenic, and the unavailability of suitable aquifers, have deterred the exploitation of groundwater resources. In addition the cyclonic storm surge is a major threat to this system. Cyclones accompanied by storm surges in the coastal area cause significant deterioration of drinking water supply and sanitation. Water professionals have launched some initiatives to promote small-scale, alternative safe water sources (e.g. rainwater harvesting, pond sand filters and piped water techniques) to provide sustainable solutions to the problem. However, a systematic evaluation of the alternatives that considers social, technical and economic criteria has not been carried out so far. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the alternative options for drinking water supply in a cyclone-prone area. The authors conducted a multi-criteria analysis and reached the conclusion that rainwater harvesting is the most suitable option for the area. Moreover, the final result was shared with the users to obtain their feedback to ensure sustainability of the water source.

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