Optimal control of coastal aquifer pumping towards the sustainability of water supply and salinity

Abstract

Saltwater intrusion and upconing phenomena affect coastal aquifers worldwide. These phenomena can be partially mitigated by an adequate management of the aquifer. In this work, the optimal pumping schedule for one coastal well has been defined by a decision model that minimizes desalination and pumping costs, while taking into account the aquifer salinity levels near the well. The dynamics of the aquifer is described in terms of two state equations related to salinity concentration in the pumped water and cumulative pumped water up to a specific instant. A case study is presented with application to a well in Hawaii islands.