Hydrogeology
Aquifers constitute a very important source of water for rural and urban centers. Groundwater contributes as a support to the ecosystem. As the population increases and the use of land becomes more extensive, the demand for alternative sources of water also grows. The effective management of the groundwater requires a clear understanding of the quantity, quality and vulnerability of the liquid in the groundwater systems.
Corporación Ambiental de México, S.A. de C.V (CAM) has incorporated a variety of techniques that have been developed by international research centers in order to offer its customers strategies in the management and protection of aquifers based on the assessment of the local and regional hydrological resources. Said strategies are based on a comprehensive program of risk reduction to maintain the sustainability of the aquifer as a water source as well as in its consideration as a component of the hydrological cycle.
These strategies include one or more the following points:
- Land use policies
- Regulatory controls
- Best management practices
- Environmental monitoring
- Prevention/contingency plan
- Publication
In the development of effective strategies the following are included:
- Characterization of the aquifer
- Risk assessment
- Assessment of sensitivity
- Assessment of vulnerability
- Location of replenishment areas
- Potential pollution
- Potential impact on the ecosystem
- Past, present and planned use of water
- Modeling of the aquifer
Characterization of the Aquifer
The development and definition of a conceptual geological model is essential for the characterization of an aquifer. The basic geological model is the guide for the hydrostratigraphic modeling as well as for the demarcation of the extension of the aquifer and its interaction with other systems. The characterization is complemented with the following:
- Field data (levels, wells)
- Previous studies
- Regional cartography.
Aquifer Vulnerability
Understanding the aquifer’s vulnerability to pollution is an essential component for protecting the quality of sources of water supply. Rigorous research is necessary in any assessment of the vulnerability of aquifers. The basic features governing the natural vulnerability of the aquifers are as follows:
- Hydraulic conductivity
- Depth of the water level
Once identified, these properties are used to assess the migration of the contaminants present in the surface of the soil to the underlying aquifer.
Aquifer Modeling
The present capacity of the computational programs and the regional characterization of aquifers based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have contributed to the application and development of regional mathematical models applying advanced finite elements that have more capacity than the traditional models based on finite differences, thus managing to assess potential impacts in areas of water resource management, such as:
- Climate change
- Urban development
- Extreme conditions of drought
- Agricultural activities
The models help to improve decision-making and the selection of mitigation measures
Risk Assessment
Finding out the surface activities that could have an impact on the quality of the groundwater in combination with the Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment help to identify the areas where there is the greatest risk of the aquifer being polluted. Risk Assessment is useful, among many other applications, for:
- Reduction of risks
- Implementation of programs
- Information to the community
Definition and Demarcation of Aquifer Protection Areas
The definition and demarcation of the protection areas are a key component in a comprehensive plan for groundwater protection. The plans differ depending on the region in question and have to be suitable for the characteristics of each place.
The implementation of aquifer protection areas is crucial in the establishment of a comprehensive management and protection plan for this diminishing resource.
The comprehensive management and protection plan for water resources is used in planning related to land use as well as for industrial and urban activities. It is an indispensable tool in the selection and implementation of the most appropriate planning and development strategies.
