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Phase III: Water Availability Modeling and Optimization

Scope of Work

The purpose of the Phase III study is to construct a regional groundwater flow model, capable of approximating current conditions (regional water levels, flow direction, and recharge) and simulating the effects of future water demand scenarios identified by the Phase I study. The model is intended to simulate future groundwater management scenarios while approximating aquifer response under various operational (water withdrawal) and climate scenarios. The model will utilize water demand data from Phase I and regional water resource data and information from Phase II.  In addition, the Phase III study will include a discussion of coordinated water withdraw and drought management strategies, impacts of lawn irrigation and other priorities for the region.  

The tasks to be performed in Phase III will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Task 1     Construct a regional groundwater flow model by incorporating:

  1. Groundwater and surface water information from Phase II
  2. Utility water supply plans
    1. Current infrastructure capacity and system yield under drought conditions
    2. Future supply project

Task 2  Use the model to identify and define areas of aquifer stress and potential limitations and/or surpluses under scenarios including:

  1. Variable water demand forecast and growth scenarios from Phase I
  2. Variable weather conditions, including drought of record and future climate change
  3. Variable utility operations that effect water withdrawal including:
    1. Wellfield and surface water intake operations
      1. As needed, collect additional local data, e.g. river levels under the influence of wellfield operations
    2. Lawn irrigation 

Task 3 Use model to simulate short-term and long-term water availability under various operational and climate scenarios for:

  1. Each utility in study area 
  2. The Central Indiana region/study area

Task 4     Investigate and report on priorities and challenges, including:

  1. Coordinated water withdraw strategies in order to optimize resources
    1. Understanding aquifer and surface water connections
    2. Operational optimizations
  2. Lawn irrigation
    1. Impact on demand projections, supply plans, and supply costs

Task 5     Participate in:

  1. One in-person kick-off meeting 
  2. One in-person public meeting
  3. Monthly progress meetings, which may be conducted by phone, for the duration of the project

Task 6  Provide summary and recommendations

The deliverables for this project include a groundwater flow model, appropriate interface for running various simulations, and written report summarizing the results of the groundwater model simulations and recommendations for future water resource management considerations.  The final model is considered the property of the State of Indiana.

Updates

The IFA will hold a public meeting to provide an overview of the study and a forum for asking questions. The date of the public meeting has not yet been determined.

Contacts

Sarah Hudson
Director, Water Resources and Infrastructure Planning Program
317-232-2812; sahudson@ifa.in.gov

Daniel Lundberg
Project Manager, Water Resources and Infrastructure Planning Program
317-232-3195; dlundberg@ifa.in.gov

Media inquiries call:

Stephanie McFarland
317-602-1546; stephanie@mcfarlandpr.com

Program Mailing Address:

100 North Senate Avenue, Rm. 1275
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-234-1338 (fax)
http://www.in.gov/ifa