Hydrogeological Risk Assessment of Contamination in an Urban Area, Southern Coast of Brazil
CLIENT
Companhia Catarinense de Águas e Saneamento (CASAN)
LOCATION
Florianopolis, Brazil
TIMEFRAME
2020
Need more info? Contact Us!
Challenges
In 2016, a hydrogeological study was conducted for the Companhia Catarinense de Águas e Saneamento (CASAN). The objective was to determine the optimal exploitation conditions of the Ingleses-Rio Vermelho Aquifer in Florianópolis, SC, avoiding salinization of the productive zones and assessing the possibility of artificial recharge to enhance water sustainability and prevent contamination from domestic effluents.
Solution
Field studies were carried out, including the installation of new piezometers and pumping wells, water quality sampling and analysis, and hydrogeological tests to characterize the aquifer. Hydrochemical and isotopic studies determined the chemical classification, water quality, and groundwater residence time. A three-dimensional numerical flow and mass transport model for groundwater was developed using Visual MODFLOW® software, simulating the aquifer’s hydrodynamic behavior under different pumping and artificial recharge scenarios. The SEAWAT® module was used to evaluate saline wedge intrusion.
Results
The numerical modeling allowed for the simulation of multiple scenarios. The study concluded that the maximum sustainable extraction rate would increase by 75% compared to the current operation. However, the implementation of an artificial recharge system would enable more efficient groundwater management with a sustainable pumping regime.