Examining The Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Residential Water Use in An Aquifer-Based Urban Environment, Assessing Urban Hydrology: A Case Study of Four Communities in Alachua County, Florida

One of the key challenges to urban development is balancing water demand with availability, particularly in rapidly growing populations, which is central to the United Nations' sustainable development goals. In aquifer-dependent water delivery systems, addressing water shortages requires a focus on urban hydrology, preserving groundwater levels, and understanding the interactions within the water cycle. Additionally, socio-economic dynamics significantly impact water use and must be considered in this balance. This study developed a GIS-based Python simulation to assess the water cycle components using an urban water balance model. The simulation examined land use changes and cultural factors affecting water use, including variations in aquifer extraction and wastewater treatment over time. It incorporated potable and reclaimed water supply, wastewater distribution, land cover data, meteorological data, and socio-economic variables from census data to compute the results. The analysis, performed at a county scale, demonstrated that continued urban development increases water demand and impervious surfaces, disrupting the natural water cycle compared to undeveloped land. Pristine land cover, with its higher infiltration rates, helps replenish aquifers. Sustainable practices, such as the use of injection wells and wetlands for water treatment, were found to support aquifer sustainability. The study also highlighted the significant impact of reclaimed water use for irrigation and identified socio-economic factors, such as poverty, income, and household structure, as important determinants of water consumption patterns.