Impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction of multi-layered aquifers in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy)

Baiocchi, Antonella; Lotti, Francesca; Piscopo, Vincenzo

Impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction of multi-layered aquifers in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy) | Impact des prélèvements d’eau souterraine sur l’interaction avec un complexe d’aquifères dans la zone géothermique de Viterbo (Centre de l’Italie) Impacto de las extracciones de agua subterránea en la interacción de acuíferos multicapa en el área geotermal de Viterbo (Italia Central) 地下水开采对意大利中部Viterbo地热田多层不同水质含水层的影响 Impacte das extrações de água subterrânea na interação de aquíferos multicamada na área geotérmica de Viterbo (Itália central)

2013

Baiocchi, Antonella | Lotti, Francesca | Piscopo, Vincenzo

The impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction between multi-layered aquifers with different water qualities in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy) was studied. In this area, deep thermal waters are used to supply thermal spas and public pools. A shallow overlying aquifer carries cold and fresh water, used for irrigation and the local drinking-water supply. Starting with a conceptual hydrogeological model, two simplified numerical models were implemented: a steady-state flow model of the entire groundwater system, and a steady-state flow and heat transport model of a representative area, which included complex interactions between the aquifers. The impact of increased withdrawals associated with potential future development of the thermal aquifer must be considered in terms of the water temperature of the existing thermal sources. However, withdrawals from the shallow aquifer might also influence the discharge of thermal sources and quality of the water withdrawn from the shallow wells. The exploitation of the two aquifers is dependent on the hydraulic conductivity and thickness of the intervening aquitard, which maintains the delicate hydrogeological equilibrium. Effective methods to control this equilibrium include monitoring the vertical gradient between the two aquifers and the residual discharge of natural thermal springs.

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