Assessment of seawater intrusion in Langat basin, Malaysia

Abstract

Seawater intrusion is threatening freshwater resources in coastal regions worldwide. Modelling this phenomenon can help in the management and control of such problems. This study presents a numerical model of seawater intrusion in a semi-confined aquifer in the lowland area of the Langat basin, Selangor, Malaysia, where groundwater is the only source of water supply for mega industrial projects. To provide useful measures for protecting groundwater from pollution by seawater intrusion, a three-dimensional numerical model, Seawat-2000, was applied. The numerical model incorporates regional geological, geographical, and hydrogeological features. The input parameters to the model were determined from well logs, well drillers' reports, and pumping tests. After the model was calibrated using data for the year 2010, the model was used to predict the extent of seawater intrusion for the future (2011–2045) assuming that the current condition of the Langat basin remains unchanged. The results show that the aquifer in the study area will be significantly influenced by seawater intrusion for the next 35 years.