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KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2007/2008


INSTITUTE OF OPEN LEARNING
SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING

SET 430: GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION

DATE: Thursday 10th July 2008 TIME: 1.00pm – 3.00pm

INSTRUCTIONS: Attempt question ONE and any other TWO questions

Question One
(a)
Discuss the problems associated with development of groundwater in Kenya.

[8 marks]
(b)
An unconfined aquifer has a static thickness of 145m. a 12” diameter well is
pumped at a constant rate of 480m3/s. the drawdown in observation well located
50 and 150m from the main well is 8.5m and 4.5m respectively. Determine the
following parameters:
(i)
Coefficient of permeability in gpd/ft2.
(ii)
Transmissibility in gpd per aquifer.
(iii)
What is the drawdown at the pumped well?

[12 marks]
(c)
Discuss five assumptions that are considered in a two-dimensional steady flow
when deriving Darcy’s law.

[10 marks]
Question Two
(a)
Distinguish the following terms:
(i)
Confined and unconfined aquifer
(ii)
Safe yield and specific yield
(iii)
Perched surface and phreatic surface
(iv)
Aquifage and aquiclude.
[8 marks]
(b)
Explain the following methods as employed in groundwater exploration giving
their advantages and disadvantages.
(i)
Electrical method

(ii)
Satellite remote sensing
(iii)
Magnetic resonance

[12 marks]
Question Three
(a)
Define the following hydrogeological parameters.
(i)
Porosity
(ii)
Permeabililty
(iii)
Conductivity
(iv)
Transmissibility.

[4 marks]
(b)
Discuss any four design factors of a well and the consequences associated with
failure to adopt them.
(c)
A confined aquifer has a thickness of 45m. it is penetrated by a 1.5m diameter
well that is pumped at a rate of 1.5m3/s. observation wells are located 150m and
40m from the pumped well. Under steady flow conditions, measured drawdown
of phreatic surface equal 8m and 4m respectively. Determine coefficients of
permeability and transmissibility for the aquifer.

[8 marks]
Question Four
(a)
You have been hired as a Drilling contractor for a school. What information do
you require in order to carry out the task?

[4 marks]
(b)
The choice of well site will affect its safety and performance. List down
important points that must be considered to ensure that the water is free from
contamination.
[5 marks]
(c)
Discuss the two main types of wells and with an aid of a diagram, show features
of any of the above wells.

[11 marks]
Question Five
(a)
Groundwater is not only important component of water resources but also the
major water supply source in many cities and northern areas of China. Briefly
discuss this statement under the following subtopics:
(i)
Exploitation and utilization of groundwater in China
(ii)
Problems in the process of developing groundwater in China
(iii)
Groundwater monitoring
(iv)
Management of groundwater.
[16 marks]
(b)
Briefly explain chemical and biological methods of groundwater treatment.

[4 marks]

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