The Role of DEM Resolution and Evapotranspiration Assessment in Modeling Groundwater Resources Estimation: A Case Study in Sicily

Evaluating Sustainability Improvement of Pressure Regime in Water Distribution Systems Due to Network Partitioning

Water distribution networks (WDNs) represent essential civil infrastructures providing freshwater for domestic and industrial uses. Pressure management in WDNs is a key issue in operation and management, especially in big and complex networks, and this is the case with Messina City’s WDN. Water network partitioning (WNP) into district zones helps improve water network management; it simplifies water budget computation and consequently helps in the identification and reduction of water loss. In this study, an approach based on sustainability indices (SIs) is proposed to evaluate the improvement in terms of WDN pressure performances after WNP. The sustainability indices are based upon performance criteria including reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability. Three different scenarios are analyzed: (1) the first sees the WDN in the current configuration without partitioning, (2) the second sees the WDN partitioned into district zones for each of which SI is evaluated, and (3) the third sees, in addition to partitioning, the introduction of pressure regulating valves (PRV). Results show an improvement in pressure sustainability at the global- and district-scale and evidence how districts with greater differences in altitude values of terrain topography take more benefits from the installation of PRV.

A Technical Note on the Application of a Water Budget Model at Regional Scale: A Water Manager’s Approach towards a Sustainable Water Resources Management

Evaluating the quantitative status of groundwater has always represented an attractive method of modelling development for scientific research purposes and, at the same time, an essential planning tool for water managers. Today, in addition to the traditional modelling and management applications, the quantification of groundwater resources increasingly aims at evaluating effective water bodies’ health. In fact, the founding principles introduced by the most recent international directives in terms of water protection are specifically addressed to natural ecosystems’ protection complying with different socio-economic conditions. In this context, Acea Ato2, a water utility operating in central Italy, here proposes the implementation of an analytical water budget model for the assessment of the groundwater potential recharge status throughout its managed area.

Quantifying Groundwater Resources for Municipal Water Use in a Data-Scarce Region

Groundwater is a major source of drinking water worldwide, often considered more reliable than surface water and more accessible. Nowadays, there is wide recognition by the scientific community that groundwater resources are under threat from overexploitation and pollution. Furthermore, frequent and prolonged drought periods due to climate change can seriously affect groundwater recharge. For an appropriate and sustainable management of water systems supplied by springs and/or groundwater withdrawn from aquifers through drilling wells or drainage galleries, the need arises to properly quantify groundwater resources availability, mainly at the monthly scale, as groundwater recharge is influenced by seasonality, especially in the Mediterranean areas. Such evaluation is particularly important for ungauged groundwater bodies. This is the case of the aquifer supplying the Santissima Aqueduct, the oldest water supply infrastructure of the city of Messina in Sicily (Southern Italy), whose groundwater flows are measured only occasionally through spring water sampling at the water abstraction plants. Moreover, these plants are barely maintained because they are difficult to reach. In this study, groundwater recharge assessment for the Santissima Aqueduct is carried out through a GIS-based inverse hydrogeological balance methodology. Although this approach was originally designed to assess aquifer recharge at the annual scale, wherever a model conceptualization of the groundwater system was hindered by the lack of data, in the present study some changes are proposed to adjust the model to the monthly scale. In particular, the procedure for evapotranspiration assessment is based on the Global Aridity Index within the Budyko framework. The application of the proposed methodology shows satisfactory results, suggesting that it can be successfully applied for groundwater resources estimation in a context where monthly information is relevant for water resources planning and management.

Role of Integrated Approaches in Water Resources Management: Antofagasta Region, Chile

Water is essential for the survival of all living beings and plays a significant role in the growth of any country′s economy. At present, water depletion and pollution are a serious challenge due to anthropogenic, geogenic and climate change activities worldwide, including in Chile. The Antofagasta region is located in northern Chile and is the heart of its mining industry, playing a significant role in the country′s economy. The Antofagasta region′s main challenge is water shortage and contamination. Due to it, the region′s local population is facing major difficulties in obtaining the necessary water for domestic, industrial, irrigation, and other uses. Therefore, a water resources management plan is essential for the region to maintain a sustainable environment. Considering the above points, significant parameters, such as slope, aspect, elevation, hillshade, drainage, drainage density and river basin—maps of the Antofagasta region prepared using the digital elevation model (DEM) data in geographic information system (GIS) environment. Besides, a pollution risk level assessment of the study area′s cities/villages done using GIS application. The important created maps and the identification of pollution risk of cities/villages of the present study could provide significant information to policymakers and help them make a suitable water management plan for the area.