Need for groundwater management models and their applications in real-life

Groundwater models simulate groundwater flow in sub-surface aquifers in terms of quantity (level) and quality (such as salinity) using the mathematical or numerical approach. When a Groundwater model is embedded in a management framework these are often referred as managment models. Managment models can be efficiently used for policy evaluation and operational purposes to achieve one or more objectives while satsifying  one more constraints. Operational models include physical objectives such as maximising pumping, while limiting salinity concentrations to desired levels for drinking or irrigation purposes. For policy evaluation the management framework must include politico-socio-economic objectives/ constraints. Since grounwater is always in a dynamic state in terms of recharge/discharge and quality, operational models are highly relevant for groundwater management on a sustainable basis. Groundwater as a sustainbale resource (interms of quality and quantity) is vital and central issue.

Today surface water and groundwater schemes in India are often planned based on politico-socio-economic policies and considerations wherein hydro-geology is viewed in isolation i.e. purely from supply-demand point of view. This myopic view is evident from falling groundwater tables, water logging situations, seawater intrusion, abandoning of tube wells due to upcoing of fresh-saline interface, contamination of groundwater, etc.  Therefore there is need to combine the two in a single framework while arriving at policies, programs and for operational considerations . Groundwater Management models provide the required answers.  Groundwater Managemenet Models find a variety of applications in real-life for efficient groundwater planning, regulation, policy evaluation and operational considerations. Some of these include:

1. Conjunctive Use of surface and Groundwater (quality and quantity)
2. Mining operations and desaturation
3. Optimal pumping and salinity management
4. Contaminant source  identification, control and removal
5. Rainwater harvesting in urban areas
6. Contolling sea-water intrusion and upconing phenomena for coastal and inland salinity problems.
7. River bank filtration/ flood plain recharge for drinking water supply

For more details on GW management models refer to:

Rao, S V N., Sudhir Kumar, Shashank Shekhar and S K Sinha (2007) Optimal operation of skimming wells – A case study in river Yamuna flood plain at Palla in north India 15:6 of Hydrogeology Journal , 1157-1167.