C3: Groundwater

What:

To support the described tool in section C6.1 there is a need to identify the needs and challenges in the municipalities. The challenges has a geographical variation. Groundwater levels in coastal areas are linked to sea level rise and hydraulically connections. Further, low lying areas inland are interacting with the river and lake systems. Work around the tool on groundwater is focused on gathering data and conducting desk analysis in order to define knowledge gaps for understanding the near-surface groundwater and bridge knowledge-gaps by involving applied knowledge and science. In advance, an examination of the need will be conducted to ensure that the tool is developed to support the challenges in the municipalities. After and during the development of the tool, sessions focusing on teaching and adaptation of the tool will be carried out. 

How:

Activities:

1. Sessions and workshops with municipalities and “Advisory committee’ experts on groundwater and modelling to ensure the groundwater tool will be a usefull tool for the municipalities, to ensure all relevant data is captured and the challenges gathered. In advance of the workshop, the municipalities will be consulted to target the workshop.
   
   
2. Preperation of a public tender on modelling groundwater levels as described in the action C 6.1.
   
   
3. Halfway workshop where a supplier presents preliminary model tool results
   
   
4. Educational sessions for staff at municipalities to implement the groundwater tool, understanding results and following consequences.
   
   
5. Identification of areas in the region threatened by groundwater flooding by using the groundwater tool (same as action C6.1).
   
   
6. Work on using the tool including training sessions to fine tune the tool
   
   
7. At the end of each phase, an evaluation and assessment, which focus on the needs on future integrated cross partner actions, will be conducted. This is done to secure the direction and processes of the actions are carried out in the right way.

Where: 
CDR

When:
01/01/2017 - 31/12/2022
Phase 1: Activity 1, 2 and 7
Phase2: Activity 3, 4, 5 and 7
Phase 3: Activity 6

What:

In selected areas a detailed local model is set up focusing on groundwater, surface and/or seawater (e.g. action C8, C10, C12, C17). Models are based on the present data and collections of new data sets e.g geophysical data. In the context of CCA it is rather new to have detailed geological and geophysical mappings and models and the use of them on local scale. There is an interest to examine how precise the tools are, and how they can be used in e.g forecasting planning and involvement of stakeholders. Furthermore, the benefits of running detailed mapping and local scale hydrological models in comparison to the developed tool described in C6.1 will be investigated in order to make recommendations for what type of modelling is preferable in different settings. In addition, the complementary InterReg project “TopSoil” will be investigating the threat of rising groundwater level in an area north of Herning, where this action will draw on the modelling methodology and results of Topsoil.

How:
The action will test and demonstrate tools to map groundwater levels and examine the use of advanced local adapted hydrogeological models by the following activities: 

1. Examine the tools available and make test and demonstrations in local areas in corporation with the “Knowledge Commitee” and the complimentary project TopSoil.
   
   
2. Examination of advantages of local scale and large scale models in a regional context
   
   
3. Workshop with a focus to compare the large scale and local scale model use in a CCA context in close cooperation with the TopSoil project
   
   
4. Formulate guidelines on when to use a detailed model and when a coarse model is efficient
   
   
5. At the end of each phase, an evaluation and assessment with focus on the needs on future integrated cross partner actions within will be conducted. This done to secure the direction and processes are carried out in the right way.

Where: 
CDR, with focus on action C8, C10, C12, C17 and TOPSOIL 

When:
Phase 1 (2017-18): Activity 1 and 5
Phase 2 and beyond: Activity 2, 3, 4 and 5

What:
This sub-action will bring in practical inspiration to management of surface-near groundwater from other EU countries (e.g. the Netherlands, Germany or Belgium) and also draw on the results of the complimentary project TopSoil.

C3.3. will examine the use of excess groundwater for e.g irrigation, heating or cooling. This is especially relevant in areas where e.g. the heating costs are high and allow for alternative solutions such as the use of excess groundwater, or where the challenges with high groundwater levels are so high, that remedial measures are necessary despite the running costs.

This action calls for the involvement of heating utilities, industries, research institutions and municipalities. It is important to note, that this action will primarily deal with the near-surface groundwater, as it is the upper levels which cause challenges of rising groundwater levels.

Action C3.3. will thus not have environmental impacts on the groundwater resource extracted for drinking water. Furthermore, the use of excess groundwater may have the potential to store groundwater and discharge to watercourses in periods with normal or low flow capacity (and avoid discharge in periods with high flow capacity).

How:

C3.3. involves the following activities:

1. Gather information on possible conflicts with rules and regulations on use of excess water and related tax systems and make recommendations available for relevant stakeholders.
   
   
2. Local workshops in relevant areas to identify win win solutions
   
   
3. Regional workshop targeting stakeholders (farmer, energy industry, local citizens) from the region – brainstorming on possible future measures.
   
   
4. Gathering material from the e.g. Netherland, Northern Germany, the U.K and southern Denmark on how to tackle present and future groundwater levels in a sustainable way
   
   
5. Study tour to relevant countries learning on their management systems releated to groundwater flooding.
   
   
6. At the end of phase 2, an evaluation and assessment with focus on the needs on future integrated cross partner actions will be conducted. This done to secure the direction and processes are carried out in the right way.

Where: 
Central Denmark Region and study tour to relevant countries

When:
Phase 2 and 3: Activity 1 to 6

Rising groundwater levels are a not well-lit factor in relation to climate change. Cities experience increased challenges with rising groundwater levels e.g. with flooded basements during autumn and winter time. In the countryside rising groundwater levels cause saturated soils, which in case of long-term rains impact the water levels and flow of watercourses and cause flooding downstream in cities and on agricultural land. There is a great need to define and develop sustainable solutions.  

The constraints of action C3 are mainly related to sub-action C3-1 and C3-3. C3-1 is depended on the developed tool in action C6.1 and whether the requests of the municipalities to the functions of the tool can be technically fulfilled. In regard to action C3-3, solutions to use excess groundwater for alternative and innovative purposes may have possible conflict with the existing tax system on water consumption. C2C CC will in that case be in dialogue with the Danish Ministry of Environment and other relevant ministries in order to change the system.

C3.1: Phase 1: Knowledge on the requests and needs on regional groundwater modelling of the municipalities. Tender specifications on local needs to be implemented in the tool C6.1. Adjustment of Phase 2.
Phase 2 and beyond: User feedback from the municipalities to modify the tool to local needs and common tendering material to be used in the individual catchments. Capacity building of municipal officials and training materials. Interactive maps to be used for local adaptation strategies (same as action C6.1). Final modification of the tool to local needs and training in the use of the tool. Ensuring that changes are implemented for future needs. Adjustment of the Phase 3.

C3.2: Phase 1: Identification of relevant tools to use when maping groundwater levels locally. Adjustment of phase 2. Phase 2: Capacity building of relevant professionals on ‘local scale and regional scale groundwater modelling’. Capacity building of at least 25 professionals on groundwater modelling and scale issues. Recommendations on the use of local and regional scale models. Adjustment of phase 3.

C.3.3: Phase 2: Identification of conflicts built in the present tax system on energy and water consumption. Stakeholder input from at least 50 professionals on relevant use of excess groundwater in the region and other areas. Adjustment of phase 3.

Phase 3: Regional recommendations to tackle future groundwater flooding challenges based on regional ideas and experiences from other countries. European inspiration on excess groundwater through study tour with 30 professional attending.

Based on working days with salary of 47 € per Hour and 347,5 € per day per senior employee and 35 € per hour and 259 Euros per day for junior employee.

Workshops and meetings includes budgets for lunch coffee and conference venue 75 Euros per participant.

Workshops includes preparations in advance and hours spend during workshop and after the event for output material.

Workshop transport is calculated via an average of 100 km and 0,487 € kr. per km.

Study tour expenses are based on a busrental and the eperiences with similar arrengements.

C3.1.
Phase 1: 
1+2. Minutes from the workshops. Specifications on the tendering of the tool C6.1
7: Phase 1 report

Phase 2:
3-6. Minutes and workshop material. Output maps of groundwater flood prone areas distributed in the whole of CDR. Maps are adjusted to the local conditions. Training material made and distributed for the users.

C3.2.
Phase 1:
Report on the available tools on groundwater mapping including relevant test and demonstrations
5: Phase 1 report

Phase 2 and beyond:
2+3: Workshop report on the results discovered. General report on the potential needs for local models in groundwater flood prone areas based on the results from the local and regional modelling.
4: Guideline on local scale and regional scale modeling.
5: Phase 2 report

C3.3.
Phase 2:
1. Report - Identifying conflicts built in the present tax system on energy and water consumption.
2. Local reports containing Ideas for relevant use of excess groundwater in other areas.
3. Report on relevant use of excess groundwater on a regional and local scale.
5. Report on study tour
6: Phase 2 report

Phase 3:

4. Report on relevant use of excess groundwater on a regional and local scale.
5. Report on study tour
6: Phase 2 report

C3.1- C3.3 Phase 1:
01/10/2017: Specifications on tendering for tool C6.1 developed
01/10/2017: One tender workshop, 10 participants
31/12/2018: DescriptionD of available tools for groundwater mapping

Phase 2:
01/03/2019: One mapping workshop, 25 participants
31/12/2019: Outline of groundwater flood prone areas on a regional basis 
31/12/2019: One regional workshop, 25 participants
31/12/2019: Training material developed for use on groundwater levels
31/12/2019: Report on locall use of excess groundwater
31/12/2020: Report on conflicts with existing tax system and legislation
31/12/2020: Workshop on conflicts with existing tax system and legislation, 50 participants

Phase 3:
31/12/2021: Report on relevant use of excess groundwater and the constraints and barriers
31/12/2021: Study tour with 30 professionals