Numerical experimentation to develop design and operational parameters for skimming wells: a case study of the chaj doab of punjab, pakistan

In the present study, MODFLOW-MT3D groundwater model was employed to perform numerical experimentation to develop design and operational parameters for SW (skinning wells) based on hydrogeology and groundwater salinity conditions of Chag Doab, Punjab, Pakistan. Numerical experimentation resulted in: (i) a I-strainer SW with discharge of 141/s (litres per second) and penetration of 30% resulted in more saltwater up coning at 8 hours/day well operation compared to that occurred at 4 hours/day operation; (ii) a I-strainer well with penetration of 30% and operation of 8 hours/day caused higher saltwater up coning at 141/s discharge compared to that at 91/s discharge; (iii) a 4-strainer well with penetration of 30% and operation of 8 hours/day also caused more saltwater up coning at 141/s well discharge compared to that at 91/s discharge. Similar trend was found for a 8-strainer well; and (iv) 1- or 4- or 8-strainerwell with 30-60% penetration, 9-141/s discharge and 4-8 hours/day operation could provide pumped groundwater of salinity less than 1000 ppm. Considering hydro-chemical performance and costs of wells, a 4-strainer well with 30% penetration, 9-14l/s is charge and 4-8 hours/day operation is recommended to skim groundwater of salinity less than 1000 ppm in Chaj Doab of Punjab, Pakistan. (author)