Mathematical Modelling of Groundwater Flow A Study of Flow of Water in Discharging an Aquifer

Abstract

In this Paper, a mathematical model is formulated and analysed to study the groundwater flow in an aquifer. The two-dimensional steady states of groundwater flow in a discharge of an aquifer in a well were considered. The model consisted of Poisson's and Laplace's partial differential equations coupled with a set of Neumann and Dirichlet conditions prescribed at the boundary of the aquifer.

The model was analysed using finite element method (FEM). The analysis showed that the flow of ground water depends on the distribution of hydraulic pressure in the aquifer and the pumping process of groundwater from an aquifer in a well lowers the hydraulic pressure at the well node and the immediate neighbourhood nodes; and, hence, causing the groundwater to flow towards the well. It was further found that more pumping of groundwater from the well causes over extraction of groundwater from the aquifer.

It is optimized   that, since the results obtained in this study constitute an important first step in the study of groundwater flow in Tanzania, it therefore, makes it an important area of interest because it is concerned with the supply of water for domestic and industrial use.