Assessment of Available Coastal Groundwater Resources Using Strack's Single-potential Analytical Solution

Abstract

Groundwater development in coastal areas induces saltwater intrusion. In many cases amount of groundwater resources available for development is limited by a pre-specified limit of additional saltwater intrusion. In this paper a simple equation is developed to assess available groundwater resources which depends on the constraint of acceptable additional saltwater intrusion. Strack's single-potential analytical solution is used to derive the equation. Available groundwater increases as more additional intrusion is allowed. However, critical points limit both the maximum pumping rate and the allowed saltwater intrusion limit. The equation is presented in the form of design curves from which the maximum pumping rate can be read off quickly. The equation and the design curves are suitable for preliminary estimation of available groundwater resources in coastal areas.