SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable groundwater resources development implies use of groundwat er as a source of water supply, on a long term basis, in an efficient and equitable manner sustaining its quality and environmental diversit y. An understanding of the behaviour of a groundwater system and of it s interaction with the environment is required to formulate a sustaina ble management plan. Mathematical models supported by field informatio n play a key role in assessing the future behaviour of a system to str esses and to find effective operating conditions for sustainable devel opment and management of groundwater resources. Basic principles for s ustainable development are stressed and a brief review of two case stu dies is provided to illustrate how a systems approach and its computat ional framework of mathematical models can be used in addressing the m ain issue of water allocation satisfying some of the technical and env ironmental constraints.