A PHILOSOPHY ON THE OPTIMAL EXPLOITATION OF FRESH GROUND WATER IN AQUIFERS IN COASTAL AREAS

Abstract

This paper deals with the exploitation of fresh groundwater in coastal  areas  in the context  of integrated  water management. Saltwater  is a threat.  With the  recharge  as an upper limit  for  abstraction  of  fresh  groundwater,  sustainable  exploitation  is  possible  in different ways. For sustainable exploitation of fresh ground  water a certain  reserve must be available to overcome periods of overdraft and little recharge. A choice must be made for the combination  of a sustainable  rate of abstraction  and  the reserve of fresh groundwater in the aquifer system. The combination  to be chosen  determines the layout and management of the system of abstraction and recharge works.