Assessing the impact of large-scale dewatering on fault-controlled aquifer systems: a case study in the Acque Albule basin (Tivoli, central Italy)Evaluation de l’impact d’un dénoyage à grande échelle de systèmes aquifères contrôlés par faille: le cas d’étude du Bassin d’Acque Albule (Tivoli, Italie centrale)Evaluación del impacto de la extracción a gran escala en sistemas acuíferos controlados por fallas: un caso de estudio en la Cuenca Acque Albule (Tivoli, Italia central)评价大尺度排水对断层控制的含水层系统的影响:以Acque Albule盆地(意大利中部的帝沃利)为例Impatto di prelievi idrici diffusi su acquiferi interessati da sistemi di faglie: il caso di studio del bacino delle Acque Albule (Tivoli, Italia Centrale)Avaliação do impacte da drenagem de grande escala em sistemas aquíferos controlados por falhas: o caso de estudo da bacia de Acque Albule (Tivoli, Itália central)

The development of large-scale bedrock quarry operations often requires high-volume and long-term groundwater extraction to maintain a sustainable working environment. These dewatering activities often influence groundwater levels and flow patterns regionally. In the present study, the influence of the dewatering of the travertine quarry operations near the city of Tivoli, Italy, are quantitatively investigated through an integrated analysis of field data and numerical modeling. Lowering of regional groundwater levels in the vicinity of the quarry has led to destructive land subsidence and alterations to the flow system sustaining a hot-spring area. The study employs a finite element numerical model (FEFLOW) to evaluate and quantify the impact of the extensive dewatering on fault-controlled regional groundwater flow in the Acque Albule basin. By incorporating the physical field data and historical hydrologic information, the numerical model was calibrated against three groundwater scenarios, reproducing the effects of different exploitation activities, coupled with natural changes over the course of the quarry operation. The results indicate that groundwater withdrawals by the mining industry and by “Terme di Roma” spa resulted in the cessation of flow from the primary thermal spring and a drop in the phreatic level in the area consequently affected by land subsidence.