Abstract
Collection systems in coastal cities are often below the groundwater table, leading to groundwater infiltration (GWI) through defects such as cracks and poor lateral connections. Climate-change-induced sea level rise (SLR) will raise groundwater levels, increasing the head and thus the inflow. A method has been developed to predict GWI when groundwater levels change using calibration with sewershed flow monitoring data. The calibration results in a parameter that characterizes the porosity of the collection system. A case study is presented for a coastal city with reliable flow monitoring data for eight days that resulted in a large range of effective defect sizes (minimum 0.0044 to maximum 0.338 radians), however, the range of predicted future GWI in currently submerged pipes varied by only 12% from the mean. The mean effective defect predicts 70 to 200% increases in GWI due to SLR of 0.3 to 0.9 m (1 to 3 ft), respectively, for currently submerged pipes. Predicted additional GWI for pipes that will become submerged due to SLR will increase GWI to values that approach or exceed the current average dry weather flow. This methodology can be used for planning of infrastructure improvements to enhance resiliency in coastal communities.
Highlights
The sea level has been rising due to ocean warming and expansion, and glaciers and polar ice caps melting [1]
May or may not be significant—that depends on the local conditions such as the current amount of groundwater infiltration (GWI) relative to average dry weather flow (ADWF), and the length of additional pipe that will be affected as Sea level rise (SLR) occurs
This study developed and tested a procedure that uses flow and rainfall monitoring data to calibrate a model and project future GWI rates as groundwater head increases due to SLR
Summary
The sea level has been rising due to ocean warming and expansion, and glaciers and polar ice caps melting [1]. This phenomenon has negatively impacted the quality of life in natural and human systems, and will continue to do so, by increasing erosion, submergence, and flooding of coastal land, loss of habitats and evacuation of homes, and saltwater intrusion and aquifer and soil contamination [2]. The new finding of accelerated SLR indicates that those projections may be underestimates which increases the concern in coastal areas, which are most affected. Groundwater impacts from SLR are substantial, occurring farther inland than surface water effects and causing flood volumes that rival those caused solely
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