Enhancing Groundwater Resource Management in the Milan Urban Area Through a Robust Stratigraphic Framework and Numerical Modeling

Groundwater is a critical freshwater resource in Italy’s Po plain, which includes Milan (northern Italy), one of Europe’s most industrialized and urbanized areas. This region relies heavily on groundwater for both industrial and public water supplies. However, the quantity and quality of this resource are vulnerable to both natural and human-induced factors, such as climate change, industrial activities, and changing water use practices. This study investigates and addresses the complex management challenges of groundwater resources of Milan in the framework of the EU directives. A steady-state groundwater flow model was developed as part of the broader project MODEL-MI to aid in the creation of a Water Safety Plan (WSP). This study highlights the importance of accurate stratigraphic data to constructing a reliable hydrogeological conceptual model. The model, calibrated using extensive data, successfully reproduces groundwater flow patterns and will be used both to support decision-making for sustainable groundwater management and to predict future impacts of climate change on water resources.