In the heart of Europe, a vast underground resource has been quietly sustaining life and livelihoods for centuries. The French-Belgian Carboniferous limestone Transboundary Aquifer, spanning 1420 km² across France, Flanders, and Wallonia, has been a critical water source since the 19th century. However, decades of heavy exploitation for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and quarry dewatering have taken a toll, with water levels declining by up to 90 meters in some areas. Now, a groundbreaking study published in the *Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies* offers a glimmer of hope for sustainable management of this vital resource.
The study, led by Guillaume Vandelois from the University of Mons in Belgium, developed a regional 3D groundwater model using the MARTHE finite volume code. This model integrates officially exchanged data and has been calibrated over a century, from 1900 to 2019. It serves as a predictive tool and a scientific basis for decision-makers to coordinate sustainable management under increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change.
“Effective management requires balancing abstraction needs with expected recharge rates over the mid and long-term,” Vandelois explains. The model examines the sensitivity of specific stresses, including recharge, quarry dewatering, and well pumping. Results indicate that groundwater head in the confined area is significantly influenced by recharge fluctuations and abstraction wells. This means that the impacts of management actions are quickly apparent, making the model a powerful tool for decision-makers.
For the agriculture sector, which relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation, this research is particularly significant. By providing a clear understanding of the aquifer’s dynamics, the model can help farmers and policymakers make informed decisions about water use. This is crucial in the context of future climate change, which is expected to bring more frequent droughts and increased water demand.
The shared decision-support tool has already contributed to progress toward an agreement among involved entities to regulate pumping rates. This is a critical and rarely achieved step toward coordinated groundwater governance. As Vandelois notes, “This shared decision-support tool is essential to manage the transboundary aquifer.”
The research not only sheds light on the current state of the French-Belgian Carboniferous limestone Transboundary Aquifer but also paves the way for similar studies in other regions. By demonstrating the power of collaborative modeling and data sharing, it sets a precedent for sustainable groundwater management worldwide. As climate change continues to exacerbate water scarcity issues, such tools will be invaluable in ensuring the sustainable use of our most precious resource.