Sustainable management of groundwater in Neapolitan volcanic areas, Italy

The data from recent hydrogeological investigations have been used to examine the present use of groundwater resources of the Neapolitan volcanic areas (Southern Italy). Significant differences emerge in the areas studied concerning groundwater flow rate and quality. The shallow aquifer of the Isle of Ischia appears to be over-exploited in the summer, causing provokes the intrusion of cold salt-water in some portions of the coastal aquifer. The shallow aquifer of the Phlegraean Fields appears to be under-exploited in spite of hydrothermal circulation in the southern part of the volcanic aquifer. The present abstraction of drinking water from the Vesuvian aquifer actually exceeds groundwater resources of Suitable quality. New strategies in groundwater management are possible with present hydrogeological knowledge, however it is necessary to modify the quotas of the various users of fresh, mineralised and thermal groundwater.