Alternative Water Supply Sources Research Articles

Impact assessment of climate change on groundwater and vulnerability to drought of areas in Eastern Thailand

Apart from being an important natural water resource, groundwater serves as an alternative source of water supply during natural droughts. Groundwater nevertheless has been increasingly threatened by urbanization, industrialization, seasonal climate variability, and climate change. One of the long-term adverse impacts of climate change is an irreversible change in the precipitation intensity and pattern and subsequently a fluctuation in groundwater recharge and hence subsurface storage. In Thailand especially the eastern region of the country where droughts are perennial, reduced precipitation contributes to shortages of water supply in many agricultural areas and industrial estates in the region. The aims of this research are to identify hotspots and prioritize zones presently threatened by persistent droughts and whose subsurface systems are susceptible and vulnerable to climate change. Thus, exposure index is defined by the change of future rainfall from a GCM model, sensitivity index is assessed by a modified DRASTIC technique, and the adaptive capacity in this region is associated with the current occurrence of seasonal droughts. The exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity factors are combined and ranked through the straightforward overlay matrix technique. The results are presented in the form of hazard, impact and vulnerability maps with hotspots and are useful for better groundwater management and planning as well as policy decision-making.

Integration of numerical models and geoinformatic techniques in the delimitation of a protection zone for the MGB 319 complex multi-aquifer system in southwest Poland

Abstract The study area, situated near the city of Wrocław in southwest Poland, is part of the hydrogeological system of the Quaternary/Neogene MGB 319, inclusive of a buried valley of high water potential, named the Bogdaszowice structure. This structure is an alternative source of water supply for the Wrocław city area. Numerical modelling is the most effective tool in establishing a groundwater protection strategy for Major Groundwater Basins (MGBs) in complex aquifer systems. In the present study, the first step was to assess the hydrodynamic conditions of the Radakowice groundwater intake by analyses of head contours, pathlines, average flow times and capture zones of particular wells. Subsequently, these results were used in combination with other data and compiled as GIS layers. The spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity was based on the lithology of surface sediments. Other data sets such as the thickness of the unsaturated zone, average soil moisture and infiltration rate were taken either directly from the model or were calculated. Based on the input data obtained, vertical flow time calculations for every model cell were made. The final outcome is a map of the protection zone for the aquifer system of the MGB 319.

Electrical Resistivity Imaging of a Thin Clayey Aquitard Developed on Basement Rocks in Parts of Adekunle Ajasin University Campus, Akungba-Akoko, South-western Nigeria

In this study, 2-dimensional electrical resistivity surveying has been used to reveal the nature and development of a thin clayey aquitard on basement complex rocks of the Adekunle Ajasin University campus, Akungba-Akoko south-western Nigeria. The aim was to evaluate the occurrence, geometry and groundwater viability of this clayey aquitard as an alternative source of water supply on the Campus. Prior, a hand-dug well, which supplied moderate volumes of water all year round, had been abstracting water from this aquitard. Three east-west geo-electric traverses were surveyed using the dipole-dipole array configuration with an electrode separation of 5 m and a maximum dipole length of 45 m. Each of the three traverses was 60 m long. The observed field data were inverted for subsurface 2D resistivity structure using a commercially available 2.5D finite element modelling inversion software. The clayey aquitard is imaged to exist as low resistivity response patterns which have developed in elongated trough-like depressions created as a result of deep weathering of the feldspar and amphibolite-rich sections of the basement rocks of the area. This clayey layer reaches a thickness of 10 m at the southern end of the survey and in some sections is compartmentalised into segments by basement rocks which have better resisted weathering. Where the topographic slope of the ground surface is low enough as to allow the accumulation of run-off, the clayey aquitard develops into visible marshy swamps. Although, clayey aquitards of this nature supply water at low rates, their capacity to store high volumes and to be available all-year-round could prove essential to ameliorating acute water shortages experienced in the area during the dry season. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.71.1.9016

Comparing Heavy Metal Mobility in Active and Abandoned Mining Sites at Bestari Jaya, Selangor

Recent issues on water scarcity have become major public concerns due to availability of safe potable water. The use of abandoned mining ponds as an alternative source of raw water supply has been recently initiated by the Selangor state water authority. This study investigates the potential mobility of heavy metals in both active and abandoned mining ponds at Bestari Jaya ex-mining area. The concentrations of heavy metals in abandoned mining ponds were below the Malaysian Ministry of Health allowable limits. Fe and Mn were found at concentrations above the limits of the Ministry of Health standards for raw water quality (2000) at the active sand mining area. There was an inverse relation between Fe and Mn in water and in sediment as pH changed. The concentration of heavy metals in water and sediment were Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu.

Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda

This research was conducted on groundwater wells of Bugesera and Muhanga districts in Rwanda where its physico-chemical parameters were determined as main aim. The study period was between February and May, 2015. A total of 18 water samples were collected from 12 sites. The laboratory experiment focused on the following quantitative determination parameters: Turbidity, pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Nitrate, and Phosphate. Alkalinities (range from 153 to 224 mg/l) in all studied wells were above the standard. Except in one well above the standard, Zinc was detected below the standard in all wells (0.01 up to 0.3 mg/l). Except one well below the range, Iron was found within the normal range in all wells (0.005 – 1.00 mg/l). Manganese was within the normal range in five wells of Bugesera district (0.122 – 0.420 mg/l), whereas below the WHO standard in all wells of Muhanga district (0.003 – 0.087 mg/l). Except one well in Bugesera district all heavy metals in all wells were not exceeded the permissible limits. The samples from Kanogo groundwater well were containing a very high amount of Zinc and Manganese. In some wells detection were found below the standard. TDS (range from 70.5 to 232mg/L), pH (range from5.5 to 6.3) and Electrical conductivity (range from 128 to 335 μs/cm) values in all studied wells were lower than standards provided by Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and World Health Organization (WHO). This study provides an insight on the quantitative measurements of some chemicals which do have relevance in the use of groundwater wells for domestic consumption. The wells can be utilized with proper management and regular monitoring. However, due to the high amount of heavy metal pollutants in the Kanogo groundwater well of Bugesera district this well should be monitored and treated for the moment. The government and other stakeholders together with the community should seek an alternative safe water supply source. Some preventive measures like planting trees around the well to protect it against entry discharge of residual waste and periodically cleaning of the wells are suggested. It is also important to sensitizing the community so that they can take precautionary measures to the cause; extent and impact of the contamination by these chemicals.

Zero Liquid Discharge Project Extends Potable Water Supplies

Diminishing potable water supplies, increasing regulatory restraints, and conservation initiatives have prompted utilities to evaluate and implement the use of alternative water supply sources. One Florida utility implemented a concentrate zero liquid discharge process to achieve water recovery through concentrate treatment.

Water Quality Assessment of Ex-Mining Lakes in Perak, Malaysia as Alternative Source of Water Supply

This study investigated the water quality of some of the ex-mining lakes in Perak State of Malaysia for possible use as alternative to water supply and compared them to water quality of some of the rivers used for intake of water treatment. A total of twelve (12) water samples were collected for analyses from selected sampling sites. These samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties, heavy metals concentrations, and organic pollutants concentrations. The analyzed results indicated that average temperature varied from 28.1 oC to 34.1 oC, pH 6.2 to 9.0, EC 55 to 400 μs/cm ,turbidity 5.6 to 74.2 NTU, DO 3.21 to 9.56 mg/l, TDS 36.8 to 268 mg/l, F- 0.017 to 0.182 mg/l, Cl- 0.483 to 3.339 mg/l, Br- 0 to 0.392 mg/l, SO42- 0.051 to 15.307 mg/l, Mg 0.833 to 1.466 mg/l, Na 0.669 to 3.668 mg/l, and Ca 2.85 to 26.77 mg/l. Heavy metals concentrations (mg/l) were: Zn 0.04 to 0.057, Pb 0.019 to 0.075, Cd not detected, Ni 0.013 to 0.105, As not detected to 0.004, and Cu not detected while COD 4 to 51 mg/l. Analyses revealed that all the water samples were turbid and containing slightly high concentration of Pb. Generally, they had common water quality problem. Further work should carry out more tests on other water quality parameters particularly on heavy metals, chemical and biological pollutants at different seasons.

Utilização de água subterrânea em Frederico Westphalen-RS: condições sócioambientais dos usuários

Com o crescente aumento dos níveis de contaminação do solo, as fontes alternativas de abastecimento de água estão se tornando uma ameaça a saúde da população que utiliza esse recurso. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo determinar e avaliar as condições socioambientais dos usuários de fontes alternativas de abastecimento de água de Frederico Westphalen - RS. A avaliação foi feita através de visitas as residências e sendo aplicados questionários com varias perguntas referentes ao tema das fontes alternativas de abastecimento, no decorrer do ano de 2011 e 2012. O número de poços, os tipos, as localizações em coordenadas UTM, níveis estáticos e situações em que se encontravam foram levantados nessas visitas, além das condições sócio-ambientais dos usuários. Sendo assim, conclui-se que mesmo tendo acesso a rede pública de abastecimento, muitos usuários ainda utilizam as fontes alternativas para abastecimento de suas residências, sendo isso uma grande preocupação, pois muitos usuários não tem conhecimento da qualidade dessa água usada para o consumo.

Physico–Chemical Properties and Some Heavy Metal Contents in Public Water Sources in Tuzla and its surrounding, Bosnian and Herzegovina

This paper presents the results of physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) contents in water sources of public supply of Tuzla and the surrounding area, as alternative sources of water supply. The study area was divided into six (6) sampling sites and their respective position was detected using GPS device (MAGELLAN EXPLORIST 210). The heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), While, the physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbonate, total hardness, nitrate (NO3 -N), nitrite (NO2 -N), ammonia (NH3 -N), KMnO4 and chlorides were determined using standard methods. The heavy metal contents: Cu (1-6 �g/L) and Zn (1-2 �g/L). Pb was only detected Simin Han well water at 2 �g/L. Cd was below detection limits in all samples. The levels of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in Tuzla and its surrounding alternative drinking sources are within the permissible limits according to the Regulations on the safety of drinking water of Bosnia and

Characterization and Delineation of Aquifer in Part of Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria

Hydrogeological work was carried out to providing an alternative source of portable water supply to Omoku and its environs as their major source of water which is surface water had been contaminated/polluted by oil and gas exploration, exploitation and other anthropogenic activities in the area. To obtaining reliable data and achieving the aim, geoelectric sounding method and Schlumberger array was employed with the use of a digital averaging instrument ABEM terrameter SAS 300 model that displays the resistance measurements directly with a maximum current electrode separation (AB) of 100m. WinResist software computer iterative procedure was used, which aided to obtaining interpreted depths and resistivities from field data. The results of the geoelectric survey were tied to various lithologies by calibrating the geoelectric values with borehole data which enabled us to establish the aquiferous zones. The aquifers were located at depth of about 22m to 30m based soil profile and high resistivity values ranging from 3415m to 4555m. The information from the findings can be successfully used to harnessing and supply safe, portable and sustainable water to the people of Omoku and its environs in Rivers State, Nigeria. Keywords: Groundwater, aquifer, geoelectric layer, Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)

Optimal sequencing of water supply options at the regional scale incorporating alternative water supply sources and multiple objectives

In recent years, the sequencing of water supply projects has become increasingly complex, as a result of the need to consider alternative water sources and additional objectives. In order to address this problem, two sequencing approaches are presented in this paper to assist in identifying the optimal sequence of water supply projects. The methods are applied to a case study based on the southern Adelaide water supply system, South Australia, over a 40-year planning horizon. Desalination plants, rainwater and stormwater sources are considered in addition to existing surface water sources. The objectives used include the present value of cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and optimal sequences are obtained for a range of demand and discount rate scenarios. The results demonstrate that there are noticeable tradeoffs between costs and GHG emissions when favouring different objectives, but that the impacts of uncertain demands and discount rates are potentially more significant.

UTILIZAÇÃO DE ÁGUA SUBTERRÂNEA NA ZONA URBANA DE FREDERICO WESTPHALEN-RS

With an increase in the contamination of water resources, surface and underground, there is great concern about the health of the population that consumes water out of potability standards. Based on this, the present study aims to register the alternative sources of water supply in the city of Fredericksburg - RS, in order to be aware of the portion of the population that uses for drinking water from such sources. Data collection was performed with visits to homes where they were raised about the conditions of water consumption and social population. In urban, neighborhoods Barrel Panosso, Itapage, Aparecida, Fatima, St. Anthony, St. Ignatius, Ipiranga and Garden Center SPRING, were registered to a total of 71 alternative sources of supply, being 6 source / spring, 5 wells and 60 dug wells. Based on these results, we found that despite having access to the public water supply, many users still opt for alternative sources, which in many cases have very poor condition potability

Assessment of Rainwater Harvesting Potential in Ibadan, Nigeria

Recently Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria has been facing severe water shortage due to the increase of population, social and economic activities. In order to meet the shortfall, attempts to utilize rainwater harvesting (RWH) have been made to provide an alternative source of water supply. A desk study was conducted to review various RWH technologies locally, regionally and globally. A hydrological analysis was also carried out using rainfall data for 30 years from two meteorological stations, with the aim of providing a more sustainable RWH system for water supply to private individuals, organizations, and government agencies. RWH is found to be technically feasible based on the prevailing rainfall pattern with over 90% of households having a rooftop constructed from technically appropriate materials. Results of the study indicate that an average roof of 80 m2 will collect 82,835 L/yr (45 L/person/day) for a family of five people which is about the required water demand for drinking and cooking purposes. Hence, the capacity of storage tanks and the catchment area required for an all-purpose water supply system based on RWH are quite large. These can be reduced to affordable sizes, by collecting and storing water for cooking and drinking only while non-potable uses are supplemented by water from other sources. However, it must be highlighted that due to the type of roofing material, rainwater should go through proper treatment in order to be used for potable purposes. This study clearly shows that Ibadan city has a good rainwater harvesting potential.

Physicochemical Analysis of Roof Runoffs from the Obuasi Area

The quality of surface and ground water in the Obuasi municipality is poor due to the vigorous mining activities taking place in this area. Harvesting rainwater has become an alternative source of domestic water supply to the inhabitants, but there are no reports on their quality. In this study, runoff samples were taken from four different roofing materials in three communities and analyzed for the following parameters Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr Zn, Al, NO3−, SO42-, PO42- and Cl− using standard procedures in order to determine their impact on the quality of the harvested water. The results reveal that, the type of roofing material used for the harvest did influence the quality of the runoffs. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were high in samples from asbestos and clay tiles roofing materials than that of the metal sheets. Asbestos and clay tiles roofing materials pose more environmental risk than other roofs investigated in this study, hence should not be used to harvest rainwater for domestic purposes. The orders in which the roofs are liable of releasing metals into the runoffs are: Cr (ceramic > asbestos > metal sheet), and Zn and Al (metal sheet > asbestos > ceramic tiles). Clay tiles which have rough surfaces do retain contaminants than the metal roofs which are smooth. The levels of some of the metals were above the permissible limits and are health hazards especially for the people who used the harvested water for domestic purposes.

Securing Fluid Resources for Geothermal Projects in a World of Water Scarcity

Water in some form plays a critical role in geothermal projects, given current technology. This paper explores inconsistencies in treatment of water and geothermal resources at the federal and state levels, and discusses legal and practical issues the developer should consider, relating to use of water, geothermal resources, and alternative sources of water supply. The developer is urged to incorporate water resource planning into project planning beginning at the project feasibility stage, and to seek creative solutions, possibly in cooperation with key stakeholders in the project area, to secure needed fluid resources.

Quality and suitability of harvested rainwater for drinking in Bangladesh

Several programs have been undertaken during the last few years to install rooftop rainwater harvesting systems as an alternative drinking water supply source both in the coastal and arsenic affected areas in Bangladesh. In this study, quality of the harvested rainwater used for drinking water supply was assessed. A total of 308 harvested rainwater samples were collected from the different storage reservoirs located both in coastal and arsenic affected areas and analysed for various physical, chemical and microbial indicators. Most of the physical and chemical water quality parameters were well below the Bangladesh Drinking Water Standard and WHO guideline values. However, the harvested rainwater was found microbiologically contaminated to some extent and the water is not suitable for consumption without treatment. For safe and sustainable rainwater harvesting, WHO guideline and water safely plan (WSP) can be adopted in Bangladesh.

Alternatives for Reducing the Environmental Impact of the Main Residue From a Desalination Plant

SummaryOne of the most important problems today is the scarcity of fresh water safe enough for human, industrial, and agricultural use. Desalination is an alternative source of fresh water supply in areas with severe problems of water availability. Desalination plants generate a huge amount of brine as the main residual from the plant (about 55% of collected seawater). Because of that, it is important to determine the best environmental option for the brine disposal.This article makes a global environmental analysis, under Spanish conditions, of a desalination plant and an environmental assessment of different final brine disposals, representing a range of the most common alternatives: direct disposal, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outflow dilution, and dilution with seawater. The environmental profile of the plant operation and a comparison of the brine final disposal alternatives were established by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. From an analysis of the whole plant we observed that the highest environmental impact was caused by energy consumption, especially at the reverse osmosis stage, while the most relevant waste was brine. From an analysis of brine final disposal we have elaborated a comparison of the advantages and detriments of the three alternatives. As all of them might be suitable in different specific situations, the results might be useful in decisions about final brine disposal.

Microbial contamination and associated health burden of rainwater harvesting in Bangladesh

Rooftop rainwater harvesting has received an increased attention as a potential alternative water supply source both in the coastal and arsenic affected rural areas in Bangladesh. Several programs in installing rainwater harvesting systems have been implemented to mitigate the drinking water problem in the coastal and arsenic affected areas in the country. This study was conducted with a view to assess sanitary integrity, microbial contamination and the associated health risk of the currently practiced rooftop rainwater harvesting mainly used for drinking water supply. Sanitary inspection of the rainwater harvesting systems and an extensive sampling of harvested rainwater from the storage reservoirs and laboratory analysis were conducted. The study findings reveal that harvested rainwater was found to microbiologically contaminated to some extend. The disease burden estimated using QHRA model showed a significant microbial health burden associated with drinking untreated rainwater and both viral and bacterial pathogens dominate the microbial disease burden. In context of arsenic mitigation, rainwater harvesting reduces the health risk from arsenic; however it may increase the microbial disease burden much higher than the level of arsenic health risk at 50 microg/L of Bangladesh standard. Microbial risk needs proper attention through the implementation of a water safety plan for safe and sustainable rainwater harvesting in Bangladesh.

GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION MODELLING FOR KUALA LUMPUR WATER RESOURCE PLANNING

Portable water consumption in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding area is expected to grow by 34% from 2005 to 2010. This increase in demand will be met by the construction of new reservoirs. However, reservoirs are dependent on rainfall and during prolonged periods of drought, as occurred in 1998, they could become empty. Therefore it is of great importance to develop alternative sources of water supply, including groundwater, to mitigate the effects of a serious water crisis. In this paper, results from a preliminary study on Kuala Lumpur's groundwater resources are presented. Modelling of the city's groundwater resources is extremely difficult given the limitations imposed by data availability and the karstic nature of some aquifers. Hence, the research presented here serves as a starting point for further studies rather than providing any definitive conclusions. In addition to the study results, the planning implications of groundwater extraction are discussed.

GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION MODELLING FOR KUALA LUMPUR WATER RESOURCE PLANNING

Portable water consumption in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding area is expected to grow by 34% from 2005 to 2010. This increase in demand will be met by the construction of new reservoirs. However, reservoirs are dependent on rainfall and during prolonged periods of drought, as occurred in 1998, they could become empty. Therefore it is of great importance to develop alternative sources of water supply, including groundwater, to mitigate the effects of a serious water crisis. In this paper, results from a preliminary study on Kuala Lumpur's groundwater resources are presented. Modelling of the city's groundwater resources is extremely difficult given the limitations imposed by data availability and the karstic nature of some aquifers. Hence, the research presented here serves as a starting point for further studies rather than providing any definitive conclusions. In addition to the study results, the planning implications of groundwater extraction are discussed.