DAMS GROUNDWATER MODELLING AND WATER MANAGEMENT AT THE REGIONAL SCALE IN A COASTAL MEDITERRANEAN AREA (THE SOUTHERN PORTUGAL REGION – ALGARVE)

Abstract

After a brief description of the hydrological setting and evolution of water use
in the Algarve region during the last decades, some examples were presented in
relation with the possible role of groundwater flow models to improve water
management. It is predicted that the actual policy, defined by the Portuguese
central administration, based in the definition of urban supply schemes entirely
supported by dam waters, corresponds to a transitory phase, before the adoption
of solutions better adapted to the hydrologic potential of the region in an
integrated way. As stated by WANIELIST et al. 1997, the advantage of using
two sources of supply is that the variations in the quantity and quality of surface
water do not usually coincide with those of groundwater. Thus, a more
economical and reliable supply can be maintained by switching from on source
to the other when needed.