Sophie Vermooten*
Marta Faneca Sànchez*
Remco van Ek*
Job Spijker**
* Deltares
** RIVM
For which aspects of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the
Groundwater Directive (GWD) do we need conceptual models and in what
level of detail? How should conceptual models be managed to ensure
subsequent improvement? To answer these questions a case study was
conducted in the Netherlands, focusing on the quantitative status of
one groundwater body. The experiences of this study will be used to give
support to the national working group on groundwater in the Netherlands
on how to proceed with the implementation of conceptual models.
CONCEPTUAL MODELS FOR THE WFD
A CASE STUDY ON GROUNDWATER QUANTITY FOR
A GROUNDWATER BODY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Location of the groundwater body showing the main groundwater flows
Examples of several site specific 2D conceptual models
2
Several guidance documents on the WFD recommend
the use of conceptual models and for the GWD the use
is even mandatory. Conceptual models can help in the
characterization of groundwater bodies, the development of
monitoring programs and the status and trend assessments
(Spijker et al., 2009). A conceptual model can also be a
very useful tool for communication with non-experts in
hydrogeology (e.g. stakeholders and decision makers).
G Canal seepage
Canal
(Meuse water)
5
E1 River valley (down stream)
– canal seepage
– Mark shorelands
Stuurman 02WI-03
natural inundation area
Stuurman 02WI-02
drainage-influence
valley
F Seepage area near fault
agriculture
Central Slenk
Groundwater bodies
Flow rate 7-25m/y
Legend
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Fig 2. Workshop where the
results were presented and
discussed. Participants:
Deltares, RIVM, Province Noord
Brabant, Province Limburg,
Water board De Dommel,
Water board Peel & Maasvallei,
and expert hydrogeologists
from drinking water supply
companies.
WP1
WP2
0
WP1
WP2
100
WP3
WP3
WP2
WP1
WP2
WP1
WP1
WP2
WP2
200
WP2
WP2
WP2
WP3
WP2
WP2
WP3
WP3
WP3
200
GHB
WP3
400
WP3
WP3
GHB
WP3
GHB
300
The conceptual model resulted in (fig. 3):
- a 3D figure showing the hydrogeological setting, the
relation with surface water and terrestrial ecosystems and
the use of aquifers;
- a schematic representation of the water budget of the
groundwater body, including interaction with surface
water and groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems
(GWDTE);
- fifteen 2D detailed conceptual models for specific relevant
processes;
- a 2D figure showing the delineation of the groundwater
body, the flow direction and transboundary aspects.
300
WP3
WP2
WP3
Results and conclusion
Deep
Zand Maas / NLGW0018
GHB
400
Quantitative conceptual model on water budget
Status SWB
P
Precipitation
E act
Actual evaporation
Aquifers – WP1/2/3
GWabs
Groundwater abstraction (drinking water, irrigation)
Hydrogeological base – GHB
Sin/Sout
Surface water entering or leaving the groundwater body
Fresh-saline interface 150mg/l Cl
Lin/Lout
Lateral flux entering or leaving groundwater body
Inf
Infiltration of surface water into groundwater body
Exf
Exfiltration of groundwater into surface water or to GWDTE
EFN
Environmental Flow Needs of ecosystems
Seep
Seepage to lower groundwater body
Status SWB
Status of surface water bodies
Status GWDTE
Status of groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems
?
To be determined
Impermeable layers
Fault
Local groundwater flow
Regional groundwater flow
Surface water flow
764
560
55 mm/yr
P
E act
GW abs
Status GWDTE
?
Sout 1709
Sin 1570
irr
Inf ?
Lin 0?
NLGW0006
Exf ?
dw
Lout 0?
Seep
14
dw
NLGW0018
HYDROGEOLOGICAL BASE
IN = OUT + STORAGE and STORAGE ≈ 0
Fig 3. Conceptual model of the quantitative status of groundwater body ‘Zand Maas’.
CIS Guidance on risk assessment and conceptual models (final draft, 26 March 2010)
Meinardi, K., van Ek, R., Zaadnoorddijk W.J., 2005. Karakterisering van het grondwater in deelstroomgebied Maas (in Dutch).
3
Spijker, J., Lieste, R., Zijp, M.C., de Nijs, A.C.M., 2009. Conceptuele modellen voor de Kaderrichtlijn Water en de Grondwaterrichtlijn, RIVM-report 607300010/2009, Bilthoven, The Netherlands (in Dutch).
4
Spijker, J., S. Vermooten, S, M. Faneca Sànchez & R. van Ek, 2010 (in prep.), Conceptueel model van het grondwaterlichaam Zand-Maas: Resultaten van de pilot-studie. RIVM Rapport 6073000xx/2009, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. (in Dutch).
5
Stuurman, R. et al. Beleidsmeetnet verdroging Provincie Noord-Brabant, 2002
1
2
For more information
[email protected]
www.deltares.nl
Visiting address
Princetonlaan 6
Utrecht
Telephone
tel.: +31 88 335 77 02
fax: +31 88 335 77 20
poster faneca sanchez 10RS
The outcome of the workshop revealed that the first set up
of the model and the followed process were satisfactory.
These conclusions will be a basis for further discussion on the
implementation of conceptual models in the Netherlands in
relation to the WFD and GWD.
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How to use conceptual models for the WFD/GWD is still a
question to answer. This case study on the groundwater body
Zand Maas is used as a starting point for the discussion on
how to develop a suitable conceptual model and how to come
to a systematic approach which allows further development
and management of conceptual models. Deltares, the
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of
the Netherlands (RIVM), the regional water boards and other
water managers, worked together to include all the important
aspects in the presented model (fig. 2).
(up (River
stre
v
am alley
))
T
are ransi
a to tion
a p from
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er a a Ple
isto
rea
(
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l
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3D conceptual model of the groundwater body
(do (River
wn
stre valley
am
))
Urban area
Water
Meuse River Basin
Provincial border
Regional groundwater flow
l)
Dune
Tidal flats
Creek areas
Sand with top layer
(Cover) sand
Chalk
Salt
Deep groundwater
Background
E1
Groundwater body March 2007
cca
Fig 1. The use of
conceptual models
in groundwater
management (blue
boxes indicate where
the use of
conceptual models is
desired)1.
Peelhorst
EFN
Why use conceptual models?