Projects per year
Abstract
Study region: Flanders (Belgium)
Study focus: Stormwater infiltration for managed aquifer recharge is increasingly recognized as a drought adaptation measure. Given the high degree of urbanization and imperviousness, stormwater infiltration has significant potential in Flanders (Belgium). This research presents a novel approach to quantify stormwater availability and its potential to enhance groundwater recharge. Stormwater volumes available for recharge are calculated based on the imperviousness level, yearly average precipitation volumes, and runoff coefficients. This study focuses on groundwater protection zones around drinking water wells to assess the role of increased infiltration for sustainable drinking water production. Calculated potential stormwater volumes for recharge are compared to natural groundwater recharge and pumping volumes for drinking water production to quantify the potential significance of stormwater infiltration for aquifer recharge.
New hydrological insights for the region: Results show a high potential for stormwater infiltration in Flemish protection zones with an average of 17% (7%-33%) additional groundwater recharge from stormwater infiltration. Additionally, stormwater recharge could potentially compensate for 19% (8%-37%) of abstracted drinking water production from phreatic aquifers. Locally, higher groundwater recharge potentials were calculated, especially in protection zones around the city of Leuven. Therefore, stormwater harvesting for infiltration and groundwater recharge should be further encouraged throughout the region, with special attention to urban areas. However, further research is needed on stormwater quality to assess groundwater quality risks in this water quantity-quality balancing exercise.
Study focus: Stormwater infiltration for managed aquifer recharge is increasingly recognized as a drought adaptation measure. Given the high degree of urbanization and imperviousness, stormwater infiltration has significant potential in Flanders (Belgium). This research presents a novel approach to quantify stormwater availability and its potential to enhance groundwater recharge. Stormwater volumes available for recharge are calculated based on the imperviousness level, yearly average precipitation volumes, and runoff coefficients. This study focuses on groundwater protection zones around drinking water wells to assess the role of increased infiltration for sustainable drinking water production. Calculated potential stormwater volumes for recharge are compared to natural groundwater recharge and pumping volumes for drinking water production to quantify the potential significance of stormwater infiltration for aquifer recharge.
New hydrological insights for the region: Results show a high potential for stormwater infiltration in Flemish protection zones with an average of 17% (7%-33%) additional groundwater recharge from stormwater infiltration. Additionally, stormwater recharge could potentially compensate for 19% (8%-37%) of abstracted drinking water production from phreatic aquifers. Locally, higher groundwater recharge potentials were calculated, especially in protection zones around the city of Leuven. Therefore, stormwater harvesting for infiltration and groundwater recharge should be further encouraged throughout the region, with special attention to urban areas. However, further research is needed on stormwater quality to assess groundwater quality risks in this water quantity-quality balancing exercise.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 101747 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
Volume | 53 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 The Authors
Keywords
- Stormwater availability
- Infiltration
- Managed aquifer recharge
- GIS methodology
- Flanders Belgium
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Enhancing groundwater recharge in drinking water protection zones in Flanders (Belgium): A novel approach to assess stormwater managed aquifer recharge potential'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Active
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IRP17: Re-use of treated wastewater for irrigation and groundwater recharge: environmental impacts and public perception
Huysmans, M., Bauwens, J. R., Verhoest, P., Elskens, M. & Gao, Y.
1/11/19 → 30/11/25
Project: Fundamental
Activities
- 2 Talk or presentation at a conference
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Enhancing groundwater recharge in face of hydrological extremes: assessment of stormwater managed aquifer recharge potential in Flemish drinking water protection zones (Belgium)
Lara Speijer (Speaker), Simon Six (Contributor), Bas van der Grift (Contributor), Dirk Gijsbert Cirkel (Contributor), Goedele Verreydt (Contributor), Jef Dams (Contributor) & Marijke Huysmans (Contributor)
17 Apr 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
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Enhancing groundwater recharge in drinking water protection zones in Flanders (Belgium): a novel approach to assess stormwater managed aquifer recharge potential
Lara Speijer (Speaker) & Marijke Huysmans (Contributor)
24 Apr 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference