Global groundwater wells at risk of running dry

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6540) ◽  
pp. 418-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Jasechko ◽  
Debra Perrone
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Deep Groundwater ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Deep Aquifers ◽  
Poor Water Quality ◽  
Water Tables ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Groundwater Wells

Groundwater wells supply water to billions of people, but they can run dry when water tables decline. Here, we analyzed construction records for ~39 million globally distributed wells. We show that 6 to 20% of wells are no more than 5 meters deeper than the water table, implying that millions of wells are at risk of running dry if groundwater levels decline by only a few meters. Further, newer wells are not being constructed deeper than older wells in some of the places experiencing significant groundwater level declines, suggesting that newer wells are at least as likely to run dry as older wells if groundwater levels continue to decline. Poor water quality in deep aquifers and the high costs of well construction limit the effectiveness of tapping deep groundwater to stave off the loss of access to water as wells run dry.

scholarly journals Installation of Deep Groundwater Wells as Solution to Water Resources Problem in Panggang Subsystem, Gunungsewu Karst Area, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 01009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indra Agus Riyanto ◽  
Ahmad Cahyadi ◽  
Dwi Sismoyo ◽  
Muhammad Naufal ◽  
Fajri Ramadhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Karst Area ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Deep Groundwater ◽  
Deep Aquifers ◽  
Deep Wells ◽  
Hydrogeological Properties ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
Groundwater Wells ◽  
Geophysical Measurements

The karst area in Panggang Subsystem, Gunungsewu has specific hydrogeological properties, including predominant epikarst springs with minimal discharge in dry seasons. Since this situation inevitably leads to drought, the installation of deep wells to extract water from deep aquifers is proposed as an alternative solution to water provision. This study determined the location of these wells using general geological and geomorphological surveys, followed by analyzing the results of geophysical measurements. The results showed potential aquifers in the sand layer of tertiary volcanic aquifers under the limestone formation that makes the karst region. Although three borewells were constructed at three different points, only two of them succeeded and are ready for use to meet the clean water needs of the population at the research site.

Using Bayesian network models to incorporate uncertainty in the economic analysis of pollution abatement measures under the water framework directive

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.N. Barton ◽  
T. Saloranta ◽  
T.H. Bakken ◽  
A. Lyche Solheim ◽  
J. Moe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Pollution Abatement ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Bayesian Belief Networks ◽  
Probabilistic Interpretation ◽  
Belief Networks ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis

The evaluation of water bodies “at risk” of not achieving the Water Framework Directive's (WFD) goal of “good status” begs the question of how big a risk is acceptable before a programme of measures should be implemented. Documentation of expert judgement and statistical uncertainty in pollution budgets and water quality modelling, combined with Monte Carlo simulation and Bayesian belief networks, make it possible to give a probabilistic interpretation of “at risk”. Combined with information on abatement costs, a cost-effective ranking of measures based on expected costs and effect can be undertaken. Combined with economic valuation of water quality, the definition of “disproportionate cost” of abatement measures compared to benefits of achieving “good status” can also be given a probabilistic interpretation. Explicit modelling of uncertainty helps visualize where research and consulting efforts are most critical for reducing uncertainty. Based on data from the Morsa catchment in South-Eastern Norway, this paper discusses the relative merits of using Bayesian belief networks when integrating biophysical modelling results in the benefit-cost analysis of derogations and cost-effectiveness ranking of abatement measures under the WFD.

Problems and practical experiences during refilling of the Kerspe-Talsperre under unfavourable climatic conditions

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Nienhüser ◽  
P. Braches
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Oxygen Deficit ◽  
Light Limitation ◽  
Raw Water ◽  
Artificial Mixing ◽  
Poor Water Quality ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Practical Experiences

Refilling of the Kerspe-Talsperre reservoir after restoration of the dam caused severe problems in water quality and supply due to a long-lasting ice-cover period and minimal precipitation. Unusually short spring overturn, high algal mass in spring and certainly the overflooding of the sediment, which had not been removed, caused a tremendous oxygen deficit in early summer. The whole hypolimnion turned anoxic and even in the metalimnion oxygen declined to a minimum. Manganese and iron reached high concentrations. Despite the poor water quality, raw water was urgently needed for the water supply and was pumped from the epilimnion during the clear water phase and in July when algal biomass was low. In the middle of August holomixis was induced artificially in order to improve water quality. The decline in algal production during and after artificial mixing was probably caused by light limitation of the algae.

scholarly journals Occurrence of carcinogenic illudane glycosides in drinking water wells

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasa Skrbic ◽  
Vaidotas Kisielius ◽  
Ann-Katrin Pedersen ◽  
Sarah C. B. Christensen ◽  
Mathilde J. Hedegaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Deep Groundwater ◽  
Hydrolysis Products ◽  
First Finding ◽  
Water Wells ◽  
Shallow Wells ◽  
Great Health ◽  
Groundwater Wells

Abstract Background Ptaquiloside (PTA), caudatoside (CAU) and ptesculentoside (PTE) are carcinogenic illudane glycosides found in bracken ferns (Pteridium spp.) world-wide. The environmentally mobile PTA entails both acute and chronic toxicity. A comparable risk might be associated with the structurally similar CAU and PTE. It is of great health concern if these compounds are present in drinking water, however, it is currently unknown if these compounds can detected in wells in bracken-dominated regions. This study investigates the presence of PTA, CAU, PTE, and their corresponding hydrolysis products pterosins B (PtB), A (PtA) and G (PtG) in water wells in Denmark, Sweden and Spain. Water samples from a total of 77 deep groundwater wells (40–100 m) and shallow water wells (8–40 m) were collected and preserved in the field, pre-concentrated in the laboratory and analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Results Deep groundwater wells contained neither illudane glycosides nor their pterosins. However, seven private shallow wells contained at least one of the illudane glycosides and/or pterosins at concentrations up to 0.27 µg L−1 (PTA), 0.75 µg L−1 (CAU), 0.05 µg L−1 (PtB), 0.03 µg L−1 (PtA) and 0.28 µg L−1 (PtG). This is the first finding of illudane glycosides and pterosins in drinking water wells. Conclusions Detected concentrations of illudane glycosides in some of investigated wells exceeded the suggested maximum tolerable concentrations of PTA, although they were used for drinking water purpose. Contaminated wells were shallow with neutral pH and lower electric conductivity compared to deep groundwater wells with no illudane glycosides nor pterosins.

scholarly journals Classification Maps for TDS Concentrations in the GIS Along Euphrates River, Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 232 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Chabuk ◽  
Zahraa Ali Hammood ◽  
Nadhir Al-Ansari ◽  
Salwan Ali Abed ◽  
Jan Laue
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Euphrates River ◽  
Poor Water Quality ◽  
Quality Category ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Dissolved Salts

AbstractIraq currently undergoing the problem of water shortage, although Iraq has two Rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) pass throughout most of its areas, and they have represented a major source of water supply. In the current research, to evaluate the quality of the Euphrates river in Iraq based on the values of total dissolved salts (TDS), the TDS concentrations were collected from sixteen sections along the river in the three succeeding years (2011, 2012, and 2013). The evaluation of the river was done depending on the classification of (W.H.O. (World Health Organization). (2003). Total Dissolved Salts in Drinking-water: Background document for development of W.H.O. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland). of rivers for drinking uses. Inverse Distance Weighting Technique (IDWT) as a tool in the GIS was employed to establish the maps of the river that using interpolation/prediction for the TDS concentrations to each selected year and the average values of TDS for these 3 years. Based on the five categories of rivers’ classification of the TDS concentrations according to the (W.H.O. (World Health Organization). (2003). Total Dissolved Salts in Drinking-water: Background document for development of W.H.O. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland), the Euphrates river was classified, and the maps of classification for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the average values for 3 years were created. The average values for 3 years of TDS along the Euphrates river indicated that the sections from SC-1 to SC-4 as moderate-water-quality-Category-3, the sections from SC-5 to SC-10 as poor-water-quality-Category-4, while the sections between SC-11 to SC-16 as very poor-water-quality-Category-5. The interpolation maps showed that the Euphrates river in Iraq was ranged from moderate water quality (Category-3) to very poor water quality (Category-5).

scholarly journals Evaluation of Seasonal Groundwater Quality Changes Associated with Groundwater Pumping and Level Fluctuations in an Agricultural Area, Korea

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Kyoochul Ha ◽  
Eunhee Lee ◽  
Hyowon An ◽  
Sunghyun Kim ◽  
Changhui Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Quality Changes ◽  
Groundwater Pumping ◽  
Rice Paddies ◽  
Groundwater Levels

This study was conducted to evaluate seasonal groundwater quality due to groundwater pumping and hydrochemical characteristics with groundwater level fluctuations in an agricultural area in Korea. Groundwater levels were observed for about one year using automatic monitoring sensors, and groundwater uses were estimated based on the monitoring data. Groundwater use in the area is closely related to irrigation for rice farming, and rising groundwater levels occur during the pumping, which may be caused by the irrigation water of rice paddies. Hydrochemical analysis results for two separate times (17 July and 1 October 2019) show that the dissolved components in groundwater decreased overall due to dilution, especially at wells in the alluvial aquifer and shallow depth. More than 50% of the samples were classified as CaHCO3 water type, and changes in water type occurred depending on the well location. Water quality changes were small at most wells, but changes at some wells were evident. In addition, the groundwater quality was confirmed to have the effect of saltwater supplied during the 2018 drought by comparison with seawater. According to principal component analysis (PCA), the water quality from July to October was confirmed to have changed due to dilution, and the effect was strong at shallow wells. In the study areas where rice paddy farming is active in summer, irrigation water may be one of the important factors changing the groundwater quality. These results provide a qualitative and quantitative basis for groundwater quality change in agricultural areas, particularly rice paddies areas, along with groundwater level and usage.

scholarly journals Classification of groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes using a comprehensive approach based on the AHP and GIS techniques in North Kurdufan Province, Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsiddig Eldaw ◽  
Tao Huang ◽  
Adam Khalifa Mohamed ◽  
Yahaya Mahama
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Sodium Absorption ◽  
Irrigation Water Quality ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sodium Absorption Ratio ◽  
Deep Aquifers

AbstractDeterioration of groundwater quality due to drastic human interventions is rising at an alarming rate particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. Yet, limited research effort has been devoted to monitoring and ascertaining groundwater quality. The present study develops a comprehensive irrigation water quality index (IWQI) for rating water quality of shallow and deep aquifers in North Kurdufan province, Sudan. The new approach is developed to overcome the deficiencies of the existing irrigation indices and coming up with a unified decision for classifying water quality for irrigation purposes. Because of these indices like permeability index (PI), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), etc., depending on specific elements, entirely subjective, as well as the great variations in their results, particularly when classifying water quality. Thus, IWQI is created based on eight indices that are generally used to evaluate irrigation water quality, plus three physicochemical parameters have been proven an impact on water quality. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is applied to minimize the subjectivity at assign parameter weights under multiple criteria decision analysis tools (MCDA). The spatial distribution of IWQI agrees with the spatial distribution of the most parameters. The results of our approach reveal that the majority of samples are suitable for irrigation uses for both aquifers except few wells in the confined aquifer. Also, noted that there are very variations in the irrigation indices results for classifying water quality. The comparison result showed that the new index robust, fair calculations and has best classifying of water quality.

scholarly journals Wastewater Treatment and Water Reuse in Spain. Current Situation and Perspectives

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Jodar-Abellan ◽  
María Inmaculada López-Ortiz ◽  
Joaquín Melgarejo-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
European Union ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Water Planning ◽  
Structural Problem ◽  
The World ◽  
Access To Water

The issues of wastewater treatment and the reuse of water are of great importance, especially in areas where the shortage of conventional resources is a structural problem, as it is in the case of Spain. Wastewater reuse is a valid mechanism to avoid problems derived from droughts and water scarcity. It allows access to water resources in areas with water restrictions and to prevent futures scenarios, due to it being expected that water consumption will double by 2050 over the world. Thus, the likelihood that this unconventional, strategic resource would become scarce is unquestionable, particularly in cases where water planning and exploitation systems prioritize the preservation, protection, and improvement of water quality, as well as the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources. This paper shows how wastewater treatment and reuse are linked, as the reuse of wastewater is associated with a previous regeneration, and both of them are essential tools for maximizing environmental outcomes, as called for in the European Union Directives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document