| Session Details | |
| Section | HS - Hydrological Sciences |
| Session Title | Groundwater in Urban Areas - Opportunities and Challenges |
| Main Convener | Prof. Namsik Park (Dong-A University, Korea, South) |
| Co-convener(s) | Prof. Yih-Chi Tan (National Taiwan University, Taiwan) Prof. Sunisa Smittakorn (Thammasat University, Thailand) |
| Session Description | In many part of the world groundwater in urban areas is highly stressed. High population density in cities usually translates into a large number of groundwater wells in relatively small areas. Land cover is significantly modified; large portion of surface is covered with impermeable materials that inhibit infiltration. Subsurface pipe networks that carry water may leak. These pipe networks include water supply, storm drainage, and sanitary sewage pipe networks. In many cities storm drainage and sanitary sewage pipes are combined. Underground structures also influence groundwater flow. Effects of water-tight structures are limited to disturbing groundwater flow fields. Other structures that are not water-tight may drain groundwater. These structures include various tunnels such as subway and railroad tunnels; road tunnels; and basements of buildings. Lately new activities that may impact groundwater environment surfaced. Rainwater harvesting is promoted to conserve precious city water. However, it reduces already-reduced groundwater recharge in urban areas. Use of geo-thermal energy also disturbs groundwater environment. Not all urbanization effects are negative to groundwater environment. Leaks from water supply and storm drainage pipe networks tend to enhance urban groundwater system. But many urbanization effects adversely impact groundwater system. Impacts of some urbanization effects are better known than others. At any rate it is clear that many cities suffer from lower groundwater levels, land subsidence, degradation of groundwater qualities, dry streams, etc. In this session abstracts are solicited that address aspects of urban groundwater. |