GroundWater Monitoring Network

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Ground-Water Monitoring Network

• Evaluate changes in the resource over time
• Develop ground-water models and forecast trends
• Design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness
  of ground-water management and protection
  programs
• All are important for Water Plan implementation

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GROUND WATER IN GEORGIA
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North Georgia Ground Water2- Layer System

• Piedmont and Blue Ridge
• Surficial aquifer
• Crystalline rock aquifer
• Valley and Ridge
• Surficial aquifer
• Paleozoic rock aquifer

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South Georgia Ground WaterMultiple-Layer System

• Surficial aquifer system
• Water table
• Confined zones
• Brunswick (Miocene) aquifer system
• Upper Brunswick aquifer
• Lower Brunswick aquifer
• Upper Floridan aquifer
• Lower Floridan aquifer
• Cretaceous aquifer system

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USGS-GaEPD GW Monitoring
27 wells are real time
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Real-Time Ground-Water Monitoring

• Real-time capability
• Standard wells have time lag for viewing data
  (typically 2-3 months)
• Determine changes in water-use patterns
• Forecast potential problems in area such as
  excessive declines, wells going dry, decreased
  yield
• Coastal area wells specific conductance
  monitoring (saltwater intrusion)
• More expensive startup cost

Change in pumping
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GW Real-Time Network
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GW Real-Time Network
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GW Real-Time Network
GW Pumping
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Gaps in Statewide GW Network
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GW Network Costs

• Cost per site
• Standard 5,800
• Real time 13,000
• Both require annual operation and maintenance
  cost after initial installation

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GW Network CostsState Funding Issues

• Currently, Statewide network funded by
  appropriated funds (405,000) that do not fully
  cover actual expenses for GW monitoring
• FY09 Shortfall 66,150 (12 sites)
• Coastal network historically funded by paper
  company funds left over from the Sound Science
  Initiative
• FY09 Attempt to obtain appropriated funds to
  cover expenses (pending Governors approval)

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GW MonitoringPotentiometric Maps

• Can be used to give a synoptic snapshot of
  conditions

Before Shutdown
After Shutdown
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GW MonitoringPotentiometric Maps

• Can be used to assess available drawdown in an
  aquifer
• Expenses depend on number of wells measured and
  extent of aquifer area
• Could develop a cycle for measurement, i.e.
• Year 1 Upper Floridan aquifer and Brunswick
  aquifers
• Year 2 Clayton and Claiborne aquifers
• Year 3 Cretaceous aquifers
• (thus, each aquifer measured every 3rd year)