Groundwater mapping program in Denmark - Exemplified by a 450 km2 area in Jutland, Denmark

Due to an ambitious groundwater mapping programme in Denmark the consultancy company Ramboll has attained expertise and technologies for surveying, integrated water resources modelling and decision making systems. The groundwater mapping programme was initiated in 1998 when the Danish Government adopted a plan for hydrogeological investigation in order to obtain a detailed description of the aquifers with respect to their localization, distribution, extension, interconnection, etc., and to obtain maps detailing groundwater vulnerability. The aim was to establish site-specific groundwater protection zones to prevent groundwater contamination from urban development and agricultural sources in agreement with The EU Water Framework Directive.

In this presentation we will present the results of a detailed 3D hydrogeological model and the adjacent groundwater model from a 450 km2 area located in Jutland, Denmark. The 3D geological model is based on boreholes and high density geophysical data. The high density geophysical data in combination with boreholes have proven to be a successful combination in mapping the groundwater resources. The boreholes provide detailed local knowledge about the deposits, confirmation of the geophysical data and, most importantly, key information for the translation of the geophysical interpretations into geological model parameters. On the other hand, the dense geophysical measurements are crucial in the understanding and mapping of the spatial complexity between the borehole locations. When combined the two datasets multiply their descriptive and modelling capabilities.

From the detailed and reliable geological and hydrogeological models we are able to pinpoint groundwater protection areas, optimum well locations, sustainable water extraction levels, etc. Thus, we ensure a sustainable water supply in the future.