Groundwater contamination assessment tool
The project set out to evaluate and improve the sustainability of urban water resources and systems with the aid of computer tools. It has analysed a broad spectrum of urban water supply and disposal methods by showing how each one varies in the way contaminants are handled. The sources, their flow paths and the sinks of contaminants were identified for various urban areas. The effect that contaminant loads have on their potential to pollute groundwater was calculated. Detailed field studies were conducted in four case study cities. Additionally, a management and DSS system was designed to utilise innovative pipeline and urban water system assessment procedures. This permits the transfer of specific guidelines and recommendations to protect urban water resources. Applying the DSS system offers the potential of a holistic urban water system tool allowing the flexible representation of water services. In turn, a broad array of both conventional and new techniques for providing water supply as well as storm water and wastewater services can be presented and examined. The tool allows users to examine the probability of significant uncertainties like modifications to water consumer behaviour or climate change. End users can create the best solutions for particular scenarios according to the possibility for groundwater contamination. These may include altering customer preferences and treatment as well as creating improvements to the system to reduce contamination.
