Civil Engineering researchers address water sustainability challenges in coastal Louisiana

Despite relatively abundant rainfall and surface water, groundwater is being overused across the Southeastern United States. Coastal Louisiana is no exception where less than 20% of farmers use surface water for irrigation. Overuse of coastal aquifers leads to subsidence and saltwater intrusion, accelerates coastal land loss, and devastates coastal communities through the loss of available fresh water for drinking and economic activities.

Dr. Emad Habib and his graduate student, Olivia LaHaye are working with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers with expertise in surface and groundwater hydrology, geochemistry, social sciences, architecture and design to explore water management solutions to address groundwater depletion and saltwater intrusion problems. UL researchers, leading the collaboration with other project teams from LSU and Missouri University of Science and Technology, are studying the feasibility of a specific technology known as Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR). During periods of high surface water flows, clean surface water is pumped into the aquifer for storage and later use during droughts and peak demands. Besides recharging the groundwater aquifers, this technology has the potential to reduce land subsidence and provides a freshwater buffer to reduce saltwater intrusion. This potential solution could benefit the economy, environment, and society as a whole.

The project is conducted in a pilot region in southwest Coastal Louisiana over the Chicot Aquifer. The Chicot Aquifer is 23,000 squared kilometers and covers the majority of southwest Louisiana. This aquifer is the most used in the state, and it is over-drafted by approximately 350 million gallons per day.  About 70% of groundwater in the region is used for agriculture/aquaculture purposes. Local farmers using multiple deep-water wells are experiencing extended or repeated droughts. The project team is working with groups of farmers and other community stakeholders to explore a sustainable solution for water management in the region.

The project is sponsored by the Louisiana Sea Grant through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For more information on this project, click here.