Solution Exercise 2
There are both groundwater quantity and quality aspects of urbanization.
The growing population will require more water for domestic, industrial, and irrigation (lawns and gardens). Leaky water mains and sewage lines as well as over-irrigation may increase recharge in the recharge zone whereas increased impervious cover has the opposite effect. Flooding intensity will increase because of impervious ground surface cover and additional storm sewers.
Water quality will be threatened because of leaky sewer systems, spills, and accidents. These can release raw sewage and many different contaminants into the environment and possibly affect spring-dependent ecosystems.
Restriction of urban sprawl over the recharge zones is a possible solution. Quality control of streams flowing from the catchment areas that recharge losing streams is another. Urban planning could consider the possible changes to the groundwater flow systems to increase recharge and control water quality.