Resilience to climate change: adaptation strategies for the water supply system of Formia and Gaeta (Province of Latina, Central Italy)

Abstract

The aqueduct serving the municipalities of Formia and Gaeta (Latina province, Italy), an area under the enforcement and control responsibility of “ATO 4” Autorità d’Ambito Territoriale Ottimale – (Integrated Urban Water Management Agency), is supplied by two important karst springs. These springs, fed by the western Aurunci Mountains system are known as Mazzoccolo and Capodacqua having an average flow rates of 1100 l/s and 1300 l/s, respectively. Although these sources have been used since ancient Roman times and the quality of their water is excellent, variations in the precipitation regime, possibly related to worldwide climate changes, has exacerbated the following problems: a decrease in the flow rates of the springs caused by the reduction in winter rainfall, and an increase of turbidity due to concentrated rainfall events. In order to mitigate these problems, which affect a resident population of about 150,000 inhabitants, Acqualatina S.p.A. - the water utility company - promoted a series of geological and hydrogeological surveys. These studies aim at increasing the knowledge on the geological setting and to find additional sources to improve the existing supply. Within the framework of these activities, we studied a strategy aimed at diversifying the water supply by identifying new exploitable aquifers in the area, to reduce the aforementioned problems. This paper presents the results of research carried out before and during the construction of the water well field “25 Ponti” located in the coastal area of the plain of Formia. The research consisted in laboratory analyses of 130 groundwater samples and in monitoring of piezometric trends. The data show a seasonal variation in groundwater chemical composition caused also by aquifer exploitation, which in some periods of the year affects the regulated reserves. This seasonal phenomenon was however present in absence of pumping.

Impact of climatic variability on groundwater resources in the Eastern Mitidja plain, Algeria

“…Researchers worldwide have conducted studies on the effect of climate variability and its impact on surface water and groundwater (Edwards and Mc Kee, 1997;Mayasari et al, 2017;Ekwueme and Agunwamba, 2020). For instance, groundwater quantity is caused by modifications of the rainfall regime, which have worsened over the years due to climate change (Sappa et al, 2018;Lentini, 2021). In the regions of northern Algeria, several authors have proven a significant drop in precipitation from the mid-1970s especially in the west regions where the rainfall deficit varies between 16% and 43% (Meddi, H. & Meddi, M., 2009;Bouguera, 2020;Gherissi et al, 2021).…”

Groundwater-surface water interaction revealed by meteorological trends and groundwater fluctuations on stream water level

“…A large majority of climate models have long projected drier summers over much of southern and western Europe under future climate scenarios (Rowell and Jones 2006;Seager et al 2014;Brogli et al 2019;Grillakis 2019) resulting in intense surface warming and widespread decrease in precipitation, most intense between 40° and 50°N (Tuel and Eltahir 2021). Such trends threaten to put significant stress on human health, water resources, and agriculture (Samaniego et al 2018;Lentini et al 2021).…”

Evaluation of Fresh Groundwater Lens Volume and Its Possible Use in Nauru Island

“…Thus, these underground water resources are particularly vulnerable to saline contamination but, on the other hand, are the unique water supply sources for many island populations. Furthermore, the freshwater supply security is threatened by the sea level rise due to the effects of climate change [19,20]. A correct knowledge of the hydrogeological system and the fresh groundwater lens availability is fundamental for the water resources management of many small islands [2,21,22].…”