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Simulation-Optimization Approach for Siting Injection Wells in Urban Area with Complex Hydrogeology
Chin Man Mok1, Barbara Carrera1, Hiroko Hort2
1GSI Environmental, Oakland, California, USA.
Ground Water
|April 13, 2023
Summary
Managed aquifer recharge using advanced treated water (ATW) is feasible in urban areas. A simulation-optimization model efficiently identified cost-effective injection well locations, minimizing impacts on groundwater contamination plumes.
Area of Science:
- Hydrogeology and Water Resources Management
- Environmental Engineering
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is crucial for sustainable water supplies and mitigating water scarcity.
- Urban MAR faces challenges: limited space, proximity to production wells, contamination plumes, and complex hydrogeology.
- Advanced treated water (ATW) injection requires careful planning for feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of injecting ATW into a complex urban aquifer system.
- To develop and apply a Simulation-Optimization (SO) model for identifying optimal injection well locations and quantities.
- To automate the search for cost-effective well placement considering hydrogeological complexities and constraints.
Main Methods:
- Development of a Simulation-Optimization (SO) model integrating MODFLOW groundwater modeling with public optimization routines.
- Flexible accommodation of multiobjective functions, complex constraints, and project-specific requirements.
- Systematic search for cost-effective injection well locations and ATW injection rates (1-4 MGD).
Main Results:
- The SO model successfully identified optimal locations for injecting 1 to 4 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) of ATW.
- Injection well placement was significantly constrained by the need to avoid impacts on environmental sites with groundwater plumes.
- Major costs were associated with well installation and piping from existing ATW infrastructure.
Conclusions:
- The developed SO workflow is effective for determining cost-effective ATW injection well placement in complex urban settings.
- The model successfully balances water resource replenishment with environmental protection, particularly concerning contamination plumes.
- This adaptable workflow can be applied to diverse sites with varying hydrogeological conditions, decision variables, and constraints.
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