Opinion ID: 2629221
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The McNulty Model

Text: The McNulty Model, proffered by MR, studied the effect of pumping 1.25 mgd from the Kamiloloa aquifer on the existing wells in Kualapu'u. The McNulty Model predicted that pumping 1.25 mgd from the proposed well in Kamiloloa would result in a water-level decline of 0.17 to 0.32 feet at the existing Kualapu'u well field and a decline of 0.09 to 0.11 feet at the nearshore well. The testimony adduced at the contested case hearing revealed that the foregoing water-level declines were conservative for Kualapu'u and Kawela, because the model did not include the effect of intrusive structures, which could limit water-level declines to the Kamiloloa aquifer system. The McNulty Model essentially predicted the worst case response incident to the proposed pumping and, in fact, predicted a more extreme effect on the existing Kualapu`u wells than the USGS Model. In sum, the McNulty Model concluded that the water-level declines at the predicted levels would have no measurable effect on the quality or quantity of water drawn from the existing wells. With respect to the nearshore environment, the McNulty Model predicted that, by pumping 1.25 mgd of groundwater from the proposed Kamiloloa well, the flux of groundwater at the Kamiloloa shoreline would be reduced by approximately fifteen percent.