Compilation and estimation of pumpage for the major ground-water users in the coastal plain of Alabama, 1960-85

Abstract

This report provides compilation and estimation of groundwater pumpage for selected public supply systems located in the Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system of Alabama. The groundwater pumpage use and the source of data are given for each year during the period of 1960-85. PROCEDURES FOR DATA COMPILATION AND ESTIMATION Table 1 lists the public supply systems and the county in which they are located. Figure 1 shows the location of the study area for the Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) in Alabama. Table 2 lists groundwater pumpage for public supply systems in alphabetical order. Public water systems serve the public with water retrieved from groundwater sources (wells and springs), surface water sources (rivers and lakes), and water purchased from other water suppliers. The total water received by customers is reported as water consumption. In most instances there is some water loss due to leaky pipes causing more water to be pumped than is actually consumed. Annual groundwater pumpage data and their source are given for each system for the years 1960-85. Because data could not be collected for all the years during that period, estimations for the missing years based on the available data are reported also. For each year the amount of ground water used is given in million gallons per day (Mgal/d). The source of the data is

Geohydrology of the Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system in Alabama

“…Initial estimates of pumping rates included (1) major municipal and industrial use in all aquifers, (2) discharges from flowing wells in the western parts of the Eutaw and Tuscaloosa aquifers,and (3) discharges from flowing wells in Crenshaw and Pike Counties for the Providence-Ripley aquifer along the Conecuh River valley. Historical pumping for public supply in Alabama was estimated from population data when actual records were not available (Crownover, 1987). After modeling began, it became evident that not all stresses were being simu-lated.…”