Investigating the natural groundwater recharge and discharge processes of the Saldanha Bay aquifer systems along the West Coast of South Africa

Abstract

Saldanha Bay Local Municipality is partially dependent on groundwater as part of its bulk water supply as surface water resources in the area are extremely limited and fully allocated. Due to this, there is lots of pressure on the groundwater resources by industrial development and residential growth. Despite studies being conducted on these aquifer systems since 1976, they are still poorly understood, especially with regard to their recharge and discharge processes. This study aimed at providing better insight and understanding of the natural groundwater recharge and discharge processes to assist in the better management of groundwater resources in the Saldanha Bay Local Municipality area.