Regional development of groundwater resources in combination with surface water

As the demand for water in the United Kingdom increases during the latter part of this century, it will be necessary to derive optimum benefits from groundwater storage. This will involve the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources to provide water for supply and yet maintain adequate river flows for amenity and other purposes. The investigations necessary before the development of conjunctive use schemes are outlined. The value of mathematical models in the design and management stages of such schemes and some of the constraints influencing the regional development of aquifers in the United Kingdom are discussed.