Managing groundwater resources in the limestone in the French – Belgian transboundary aquifer using a jointly developed model
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Study region The French-Belgian Carboniferous limestone Transboundary Aquifer covers 1420 km² across France, Flanders (North Belgium), and Wallonia (South Belgium). Heavily exploited since the 19th century for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and quarry dewatering, abstractions peaked at 100 million m³ /year in 1990, causing water level declines of up to 90 m. Study focus This study developed a regional 3D groundwater model collaboratively using the MARTHE finite volume code, integrating officially exchanged data. Calibrated over 1900–2019, it serves as a predictive tool and a scientific basis for decision-makers to coordinate sustainable management under increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change. This paper examines the sensitivity of specific stresses, including recharge, quarry dewatering, and well pumping. New hydrological insights for the region Results indicate that groundwater head in the confined area is significantly influenced by recharge fluctuations as well as abstraction wells. Effective management requires balancing abstraction needs with expected recharge rates over the mid and long-term, particularly in the context of future climate change. The results also highlight the sensitivity of groundwater levels in the confined area to abstraction rates, making the impacts of management actions quickly apparent. This shared decision-support tool is essential to manage the transboundary aquifer and has contributed to progress toward an agreement among involved entities to regulate pumping rates – a critical and rarely achieved step toward coordinated groundwater governance.
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,600
OpenAlex ID: W4416543764