Long-term Hydro-economic Analysis Tool for Evaluating Global Groundwater Cost and Supply: Superwell v1.0

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-2024-799
• Publication Date: 2024-05-13T05:40:45Z
• Authors: Hassan Niazi; Stephen B. Ferencz; Neal T. Graham; Jim Yoon; Thomas B. Wild; Mohamad Hejazi; David J. Watson; Chris R. Vernon

Abstract. Groundwater plays a key role in meeting water demands, supplying over 40 % of irrigation globally, with this likely to grow as demands and surface variability increase. A better understanding the future groundwater sectoral requires an integrated hydro-economic evaluation its cost availability. Yet substantial gaps remain our knowledge modeling capabilities related availability, feasible locations for extraction, extractable volumes, associated extraction costs, which are essential large-scale analyses human-water systems scenarios, particularly at global scale. To address these needs, we developed Superwell, physics-based accounting model that operates 0.5° (≈50x50 km) gridded spatial resolution coverage. The produces location-specific supply-cost curves provide levelized access different quantities available groundwater. inputs Superwell include recent high-resolution hydrogeologic datasets permeability, porosity, aquifer thickness, depth table, hydrogeological complexity zones. It also accounts well capital maintenance energy costs required lift surface. employs Theis-based scheme coupled amortization-based formulation simulate quantify pumping. result is spatiotemporally flexible, physically-realistic, economics-based curves. We show examples insights can be derived from them across set scenarios designed explore outcomes. produced by most nonrenewable storage globally lower than 0.23 USD/m3, while half volume remains under 0.138 USD/m3. demonstrate discuss how could used linking Superwell’s outputs other models human-environmental challenges, such resources planning management, or broader multi-sectoral feedbacks.