ABSTRACT
The River Bisenzio alluvial fan holds the main underground water source exploited by both the Prato public aqueduct and the textile industry. Overexploitation over the last 30 years has considerably lowered the reserves and thus the yields of the wells. To restore the water supply, an artificial recharge system has been designed. To date, a hydrogeological study has been performed to ensure the choice of the most suitable site; a first phase of investigation has been programmed on an experimental basis. The choice of injection wells is obligatory, since the entire area of the fan is occupied by the city of Prato. The trial field project plans an injection well with at least 5 piezometers to monitor the efficacy and efficiency of the system. Particular attention will be paid to the controls on any chemical and biological changes in the groundwater. A flow and transport simulation model, based on the programmed trials, will test the efficiency of the methods and advisability of constructing a plant capable of restoring supplies.
