In the Friuli Plain (NE Italy), two distinct aquifer systems (unconfined in the northern area, multilayered in
the southern sector) are mutually connected. The aim of the present work is to evaluate both the yearly average groundwater recharge and the sustainability of the intensive groundwater extraction drawn from the Low Plain’s aquifer system. In this area, the geometrical characterization of each aquifer layer, outlined by means of lithostratigraphic correlations, has allowed
to organize a quantitative monitoring network addressed to hydraulic head measurements. A geostatistical approach has
been applied to the analysis of the piezometric levels in both aquifer systems, and of the precipitation and the temperature data collected for the whole Plain area. Computing the groundwater flow from the High Plain to the Low Plain’s aquifer
system, the active recharge of the latter has been compared with the estimated annual groundwater extraction drawn from the Low Plain’s aquifer system.
