Full Description

The remote atoll of Diego Garcia provides vital support to the United States missions in the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and Africa. Population on the atoll ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 people, with average daily potable water demand approaching 800,000 gpd (3,000 ML/d). Development of a potable water supply has evolved since 1971 from temporary dug wells, to distillation, to brackish water desalination by electrodialysis, and finally to development of fresh groundwater by more that 100 low-yield, shallow, skimming wells that provide a reliable, cost effective, and operationally simple freshwater supply system. The lessons learned indicate that the development of water resources on atolls should begin with an investigation of fresh groundwater, which could be the least costly to develop and easiest to operate. The monitoring system that was developed affords a practical method to explore, understand, and manage groundwater resources on an atoll. Includes 1 reference, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition: Vol. vol,80 no.6 - N Published: 06/01/1988 Number of Pages: 6File Size: 1 file , 1.7 MB