OPTIMAL DISPERSED GROUNDWATER CONTAMINANT MANAGEMENT - MODCON METHOD

A presented methodology and model compute optimal ground-water use str ategies that approximate optimality for water supply, while achieving desired ground-water quality goals. This MODCON approach utilizes a ne w goal programming-based modification of the advective transport equat ion. Applied to dispersed ground-water contamination, MODCON allows th e accurate constraining of concentrations that will exist in selected locations as a result of optimal pumping. Constraint locations can be initially contaminated, and contaminated ground water can be extracted . MODCON is hierarchical in a sense because a volumetrically optimal s trategy is first computed for a study area and then modified only as n eeded to achieve water-quality goals. In the process, a subsystem that includes the dispersed contamination is selected and discretized. Wit hin this subsystem, transport is modeled with method of characteristic s accuracy via modified advective transport equations. These equations are modified in a new approach using coefficients derived through goa l programming and external simulation. Application to the Bayou Bartho lomew Basin in Arkansas is shown.