Effects of Large‐Scale Mining Withdrawals of Ground Watera

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Abstract
Expanding water requirements during recent years have intensified development of the productive sedimentary aquifers of the North Carolina Coastal Plain. The effects of this development emphasize the local and regional limitations of the aquifer system and the need for an effective management program.Withdrawal of about 60 million gallons per day from the Castle Hayne limestone, the most productive unit of the principal artesian aquifer of the area, began in July 1965 at a phosphate mine adjacent to the Pamlico River in Beaufort County. Within a few months, the artesian head was lowered below sea level in an area of about 800 square miles, and to more than 100 feet below sea level in the immediate vicinity of pumping. Under these conditions the aquifer became vulnerable to encroachment of saline water from (1) areas of natural occurrence of brackish water in the limestone member of the aquifer; (2) leakage of brackish surface water through the confining beds; and (3) vertical movement of brackish water from the underlying sand member of the aquifer.The dramatic and “overnight” effects of the large withdrawals at the mine site and the threat of damage to the aquifer created sufficient public concern so that legislation was passed by the 1967 General Assembly, giving the Board of Water and Air Resources authority to regulate ground‐water withdrawals as needed to protect the aquifers of the State. An adequate management program can be accomplished that will not only protect the aquifer but will improve the development potential. The development of such a management program requires a thorough knowledge of the hydrology of the aquifer system, the objective of studies in progress. The implementation of the program will require the support of an informed public.

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