Integrated Water Resources Management (lWRM) for the Preservation
205
3.1.2 Theoretical Studies and Analyses
In order to enhance the collection of field data and provide some guidelines for the
measurements of field parameters, theoretical studies were carried out
concurrently with field operations. These studies included analyses and
quantitative calculations of regional budgets of salinity (Quinodoz and
Buddemeier 1997), development of quick approaches for the use of salinity
distributions to estimate local sources of salinity and characterization of
mechanisms and fluxes of salinity penetration into the freshwater aquifer (Rubin
and Buddemeier 1996, 1998a,b,c,d), and evaluation of possible effects of high
permeability strata on the conveyance of salinity in the region (Rubin and
Buddemeier 1997). Various numerical simulations of the regional groundwater
flow with density stratification (Ma and Sophocleous 1996) provided quantitative
information about possible phenomena and needs for monitoring and data
collection in locations sensitive to salt-water intrusion.
3.1.3 Collection of Municipal Information
Collection of municipal data relevant to the study included: lists of water rights,
regional water use of all types by public and individual consumers, quantities and
qualities of wastewater, etc. Table 2 presents basic information about water used
by major consumers in the region. It also incorporates information about the
wastewater of some urban communities. The city of Hutchinson generates
approximately 7.7 million m 3 of treated wastewater per year; Great Bend
generates about 2.2 million m 3 , and the other communities of the region produce
individually smaller amounts that are cumulatively significant. Budget model
estimates indicate that the volume of the Great Bend wastewater is comparable to
that of the high-salinity brine discharged at the base of the aquifer between Great
Bend and Rattlesnake Creek, and the treated municipal wastes are generally of
better water quality than the salt-affected groundwater or the Arkansas River.
Surveys of consumers in the Hutchinson-Nickerson area have indicated: (1)
there are some industrial consumers that divert wastewater of comparatively high
chloride content into the municipal wastewater treatment plant, and (2) there are
various consumers that pump significant quantities of groundwater close to the
northern bank of the Arkansas River for irrigation purposes. Such pumping may
enhance the migration of groundwater with comparatively high salinity from south
to north of that river.
205
3.1.2 Theoretical Studies and Analyses
In order to enhance the collection of field data and provide some guidelines for the
measurements of field parameters, theoretical studies were carried out
concurrently with field operations. These studies included analyses and
quantitative calculations of regional budgets of salinity (Quinodoz and
Buddemeier 1997), development of quick approaches for the use of salinity
distributions to estimate local sources of salinity and characterization of
mechanisms and fluxes of salinity penetration into the freshwater aquifer (Rubin
and Buddemeier 1996, 1998a,b,c,d), and evaluation of possible effects of high
permeability strata on the conveyance of salinity in the region (Rubin and
Buddemeier 1997). Various numerical simulations of the regional groundwater
flow with density stratification (Ma and Sophocleous 1996) provided quantitative
information about possible phenomena and needs for monitoring and data
collection in locations sensitive to salt-water intrusion.
3.1.3 Collection of Municipal Information
Collection of municipal data relevant to the study included: lists of water rights,
regional water use of all types by public and individual consumers, quantities and
qualities of wastewater, etc. Table 2 presents basic information about water used
by major consumers in the region. It also incorporates information about the
wastewater of some urban communities. The city of Hutchinson generates
approximately 7.7 million m 3 of treated wastewater per year; Great Bend
generates about 2.2 million m 3 , and the other communities of the region produce
individually smaller amounts that are cumulatively significant. Budget model
estimates indicate that the volume of the Great Bend wastewater is comparable to
that of the high-salinity brine discharged at the base of the aquifer between Great
Bend and Rattlesnake Creek, and the treated municipal wastes are generally of
better water quality than the salt-affected groundwater or the Arkansas River.
Surveys of consumers in the Hutchinson-Nickerson area have indicated: (1)
there are some industrial consumers that divert wastewater of comparatively high
chloride content into the municipal wastewater treatment plant, and (2) there are
various consumers that pump significant quantities of groundwater close to the
northern bank of the Arkansas River for irrigation purposes. Such pumping may
enhance the migration of groundwater with comparatively high salinity from south
to north of that river.