A dynamic aquifer resource management method based on aquifer heads

Abstract

Abstract A method of controlling abstraction from aquifers is formulated and tested. The method’ relies on predictions of future heads to calculate a suitable abstraction rate for each borehole using the criterion of maintaining storage. A spatially and temporally variant abstraction control policy is produced, which is revised at regular time intervals to take account of head variations. The method is tested using mathematical models of two aquifers in central England and is found to work well. It is also shown that the method is capable of coping with realistic constraints on abstraction rates.