Groundwater management

Historically, the issue of managing access to water resources first arose in relation to river water, which is closely linked to prevailing climatic conditions, and water supplied by man-made distribution systems. It is only more recently that consideration has been given to managing groundwater, which is less subject to problems of temporary scarcity (except for aquifers accompanying rivers). In most cases, access to this groundwater is individual, with each user (particularly farmers) accessing it by drilling at the point of use. However, these underground resources also need to be managed, as they are increasingly exploited and sometimes even overexploited.

This module addresses the issue of groundwater resource management by first presenting the contributions of each physical science discipline (geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, isotopy) and their tools for understanding aquifers (in terms of geology: outcrops, drilling, logging, seismic profiles, etc.; in terms of hydrogeology: piezometry, pumping tests, sampling points/outlets, quantities extracted, etc.): geometry, structure, and hydrological functioning.

He then discusses the importance of groundwater for the various uses to which it is put. The economic value of groundwater is examined in this section (Qureshi et al., 2012). The difficulties involved in determining groundwater withdrawals and the methods used to reveal them are also explained.

He then describes the various problems posed by aquifers: current or future overexploitation of water tables, deterioration in groundwater quality, threat of saltwater intrusion, soil salinization, etc.

Finally, it lists the various methods for rebalancing groundwater supply and demand. First, it outlines ways to increase water supply (active groundwater management, resource substitution) or prevent contamination of good-quality water by poorer-quality water. Examples include active management of karst aquifers (Lez system), artificial recharge (e.g., Seine catchment fields in Paris), inter-seasonal/inter-annual recharge (Llobregat, Catalonia), recharge with wastewater (California), and dams to prevent the contamination of fresh water by salt water.

Secondly, it outlines solutions that address water demand. These solutions are based on two individual decision-making drivers that can sometimes be combined: maximizing individual utility and being part of a society that encourages "pro-social" behavior. Solutions that directly affect groundwater demand (pricing, quotas, water rights trading) will be explored, as well as indirect solutions (purchasing land that can protect a resource, agricultural or energy policies that can positively or negatively influence the development of individual withdrawals, etc.).

Thorough understanding of the various aspects of groundwater management: knowledge of the multidimensional nature of groundwater management; knowledge of the various tools available for better groundwater management; knowledge of different groundwater management cases and ability to analyze the factors contributing to management success and failure.

Various contributors (teachers and at least one professional) participate in this module, which combines lectures (and a tutorial) with contributions from Master's students who are assigned, in groups of two or three or individually, specific cases or questions that illustrate the course content. The course will be taught in French. However, students may choose to submit their work (oral or written) in English if they prefer.

Required prerequisites*:

No specific prerequisites due to the multidisciplinary nature of this module.

Recommended prerequisites:

Some possible readings:

Molle F., López-Gunn E., and Van Steenbergen F. The local and national politics of groundwater overexploitation. In Water Alternatives, 2018, 11(3), pp. 445–457.

Hérivaux C. and Gauthey J. The benefits of groundwater protection: why and how should they be given a monetary value? French Agency for Biodiversity, Paris, September 2018, 72 p., https://professionnels.afbiodiversite.fr/fr/node/339

Rinaudo J.-D., Holley C., Montginoul M., and Barnett S. Sustainable groundwater management: a comparative analysis of French and Australian policies and implications for other countries. Springer, 2020 (the source of most of the case studies) https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030327651

But also don't hesitate to watch films or documentaries on the subject. Some suggestions are available on the website: http://www.water-alternatives.org/

The assessment of knowledge consists of three parts:

• An assessment of the preparatory work for the module that will have been given to each participant (or to pre-designated groups of participants): each group is asked to send a file (usually four pages long, supplemented by an evaluation grid for the groundwater management case study they were asked to work on) before the start of the module.
• During the session, students will be invited individually to give an oral presentation of part of their preparatory work.
• Finally, an individual written assignment will be required at the end of the module to verify that students have mastered the concepts and ideas explored throughout the module. This will be required in the form of an assignment to be submitted by a specific deadline.

Physical and human aspects, economic assessment, supply-side management, demand-side management

Physical and human aspects, economic valuation, supply and demand management