The Potential of Small Dams for Conjunctive Water Management in Rural Municipalities

Sara Soares, Daniela Terêncio, Luís Fernandes, João Machado and Fernando A.L. Pacheco
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Sara Soares: Department of Geology, Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro University, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Daniela Terêncio: Centro de Investigação e Tecnologias Agroambientais e Biológicas, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Ap 1013, 5001–801 Vila Real, Portugal
Luís Fernandes: Centro de Investigação e Tecnologias Agroambientais e Biológicas, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Ap 1013, 5001–801 Vila Real, Portugal
João Machado: Vila Pouca de Aguiar Town Hall, 5450 Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal
Fernando A.L. Pacheco: Centro de Química de Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Ap 1013, 5001–801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: The drinking water supply to Vila Pouca de Aguiar municipality in North Portugal is based on high quality groundwater, namely on nearly one hundred artesian springs and fifty boreholes. The groundwater resources are plentiful on a municipal level, but evidence some deficits at the sub-municipal (village) level, especially during the dry period (July- August) that coincides with the return of many emigrants for holiday time. The deficits affect mostly the municipal capital (Vila Pouca de Aguiar) and a neighboring village (Pedras Salgadas), which populations nearly double or even triple during that period. The estimated annual deficits approach 55,000 m 3 /yr in those villages. If the anticipated increase in consumption/habitant and decrease in annual rainfall become reality in the next two decades, then the deficits may raise to approximately 90,000 m 3 /yr. To balance the water supply system, this study proposes its transition towards a conjunctive water management based on surface water stored in small dams and groundwater. A hydrologic modeling involving small forested catchments (< 15 km 2 ) elected the Cabouço watershed as most suited basin to store stream water, because surface water availability is large (2.4 Mm 3 /yr) and forest cover is dominant (84.8%). Estimated nutrient loads are also compatible with drinking water supply.

Keywords: groundwater; surface water; small dams; conjunctive water management; hydrologic modeling; geographic information system; municipality; drinking water supply; forest; water shortage; water stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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