TR(BR)-1/2006-07 : Modelling of a Coastal Aquifer using FEFLOW

Abstract

Coastal tracts of Goa are rapidly being transformed into settlement areas. The poor water supply facilities have encouraged people to have their own source of water by digging or boring a well. During the last decade, there have been large-scale withdrawals of groundwater by builders, hotels and other tourist establishments. Though the seawater intrusion has not yet assumed serious magnitude, but in the coming years it may turn to be a major problem if corrective measures are not initiated at this stage. It is necessary to understand how fresh and salt water move under various realistic pumping and recharge scenarios. Objectives of the present study include simulation of seawater intrusion in a part of the coastal area in Bardez taluk of North Goa, evaluation of the impact on seawater intrusion due to various groundwater pumping scenarios and sensitivity analysis to find the most sensitive parameters affecting the simulation.