Transient three-dimensional modeling of riverbank filtration at Grind well field, Germany

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a proven treatment step in a multi-barrier method of drinking-water supply at many sites. RBF wells induce a large amount of river water to infiltrate the river base and travel towards the wells, giving the opportunity for mixing of infiltrated surface water and groundwater. Assessment of raw water quality plays an important role in planning and operating a RBF well field. In this context, the determination of the catchment area (and land uses within the catchment) and the ratio of bank filtrate (BF) to raw groundwater (GW) are two prior steps. Transient model simulations were performed in order to study the hydraulic conditions at the RBF well field at Grind near Düsseldorf, Germany. The BF/GW ratio was determined to be 75/25. The flood events in winter, in particular, showed the BF/GW ratio to have high variation. Transient path lines in the well field were used for delineation of the catchment area.