Quantitative hydrogeological studies of the Treviso alluvial plain, NE Italy

The alluvial plain of Treviso (NE Italy) is one of the most important aquifers in the Veneto Region. Numerous hydrogeological studies of this unconfined groundwater system of the Venetian Plain provided qualitative and semi-quantitative data for its structural and hydrodynamic assessment. The unconfined aquifer changes from high plain southwards to multi-layered confined or semi-confined aquifers. The transition zone corresponds to a band 2–5 km wide where characteristic plain springs emerge with maximum discharge along a line known as the fontanili line. Important groundwater resources are exploited by widespread industry and agriculture, and also for public water supply including some large towns outside of study area. In recent years some test sites at which the knowledge of hydrodynamic parameters of the aquifer were improved, have been established in the study area. These, together with already available data (geometry, boundary conditions, recharge-discharge process, flow nets) allowed a water balance and a 2-D finite difference groundwater flow model to be constructed. A first calibration gave reasonable results. This flow model could be developed further to provide a tool for managing groundwater resources including chemical water quality when combined with chemical transport models.