The course aims to provide methodological and application techniques and tools for the planning and management of water resources; to analyze and deepen the practical problems connected to them from a qualitative/quantitative point of view.
At the end of the course the student will have to know the techniques to deal with the complex problems connected to a multiple and sustainable use of the water resource.

Basic mathematics concepts, including differential equations;
Basic physics concepts. Adequate knowledge of english language

The course mainly concerns quantitative aspects related to surface and groundwater resources and their management. In particular, the course will cover how to handle the Impacts of climate change on water systems by implementing SUDSs, unconventional water resources, Natural Based solutions for sustainable urban drainage and aquifer recharge. The course will also focus on numerical groundwater modelling as a powerful tool for sustainable water and groundwater management

Loucks, Daniel P., and Eelco Van Beek. Water resource systems planning and management: An introduction to methods, models, and applications. Springer, 2017.
Anderson, M. P., Woessner, W. W., & Hunt, R. J. (2015). Applied groundwater modeling: simulation of flow and advective transport. Academic press.

Impacts of climate change on water systems
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS): how to change water management model in urban settings
Hydraulic and hydrologic invariance
The water footprint as a tool for adaptation to the climate crisis; Unconventional water resources.
Introduction to Groundwater: different types of aquifers.
Solute transport mechanisms in groundwater.
Saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers: monitoring, management, control and prevention techniques
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) recharge methodologies in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Groundwater recharge techniques under controlled conditions: MAR, SASR. Practical examples
Introduction to numerical groundwater modelling: purpose of modeling groundwater flow and pollutant transport in aquifers
Types of models and differential equations of the flow and transport of pollutants in groundwater. Analytical and numerical models in the saturated zone.
Conceptual models: conceptualization of aquifer systems.
Design of a numerical model: finite difference and finite element methods for solutions of flow problems;
Steps for the implementation of a numerical model. calibration and validation of the model
Overview of the main numerical codes and graphical interfaces for hydrogeological modeling
Examples of application of numerical modelling as a valid support to guarantee a sustainable and efficient groundwater management plan capable of optimizing its exploitation

The course includes 48 hours of teaching organized into frontal lessons

Learning will be verified during lessons through questions addressed to students on the topics just covered.
The final exam will take place through a written test in which the course topics will be covered.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)