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The paper deals with coastal aquifers exploitation under saline intrusion threats and climate change effects over them. For sustainable development of these resources variable but necessary policies are required, among them: selection of abstraction works and their appropriate design, knowledge of the aquifer system, control measures over variables for decision making, use of advanced technologies to define optimal exploitation strategies, efficient operation and maintenance of existing works. It is suggested, when feasible, to give preferential use to horizontal works but avoiding open trenches because of the inconveniences that have been observed in the Cayo Largo del Sur and Andros-Bahamas case studies. The use of vertical wells demands a careful design, not only of each well but also of their spatial distribution, therefore the paper includes some recomendations to this end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates different types of groundwater exploitation systems used in coastal areas and in small islands where seawater intrusión can occur. In many cases using open trenches for groundwater supply inconveniences appear because of seawater penetration associated with hurricanes. Pumping wells should not be used even shallow ones because of intrusion cones. It is also recommended to substitute open trenches by horizontal drains with control systems for levels and water quality in the collectors from where water would be pumped as if they were storage deposits. This also decreases evaporation losses, environmental drawbacks and contamination from drag of solids as well as reduces the possibilities of seawater penetration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]