Water balance of Barreiras Aquifer System in Pitimbu river watershed - RN

Abstract

This study aims to carry out the water balance in the aquifer compartment of the Pitimbu Watershed (BHRP) of great importance to the sustainable use of available water resources.. The BHRP has surface of 131.67square kilometers, consisting of parts of Macaíba, Natal and Parnamirim municipalities - Natal Metropolitan Region (NMR). For hydrogeological modeling, MODFLOW software with five layers was applied to BHRP domain, including watercourse, superficial reservoirs and exploitation wells. Main data and details of modeling are presented as well as described water balance results and aquifer response simulation to current and future exploitation. The water balance by compartment permitted to recognize areas of aquifer water transfer to the river and vice versa and critical regions of exploitations and depletion of potentiometric surface.