Groundwater Resources Management in the GCC Countrieswstagcc.org/WSTA_8th_Conference/Integrated...Strategies Increase in Areas under Irrigation in GCC, 1965-2002 0 200 400 600 800

Groundwater Resources Management in the GCC CountriesEvaluation, Challenges & Suggested FrameworkDr. Waleed K Al-Zubari

[email protected]

Introduction GW Resources & Utilization in GCC Key Challenges for GW Management in GCC Analysis of Status of GW Management in GCC GW Resources Management Strategies GW Quality Protection Strategies GW Simulation Modeling Use of DSS in GW Management and Planning Utilization of Non-Renewable GW GW Abstraction Rights, Monitoring & Tariffs Conclusion & Recommendations

Overview

Introduction GW vital and essential source for all sectors in GCC

GW dependency ratio averages 75% (>90% in KSA and Oman)

Accelerated development growth since the mid-1970s Substantial increase in water demands (agricultural

policies and rapid municipal expansion) Met mainly by GW

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GCC Water Demands, BcmGCC Population, Millions

All GCC are experiencing GW deficits Continuous water level declines Degradation of quality by salinization & anthropogenic

activities (Agricultural, Urban, Industrial) Loss of GW resources will have dire consequences

and impacts on GCC societies: Heavy burden on national budgets (marginal cost of

providing replacement supplies) Socio-economic development (e.g., agricultural sector

losses) Damage the environment (springs and aflaj) and the

fragile water-dependent ecosystems Opportunity costs (among competing users) Increase the water scarcity in the region

Cont., Introduction

Mostly arid to extremely arid climatic conditions Small and irregular rainfall in space and time (<100 mm/yr) High evaporation rates ( >3000 mm/yr)

Generally devoid of surface water resources, depends mainly on GW (majority is fossil), Desalination, lesser on TSE

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Groundwater Resources & Utilization

The GCC have an extremely poor endowment of natural water resources

Available groundwater Resources Renewable shallow alluvial aquifers (recharge 3.5 Bcm/y) Deep non-renewable “fossil” (estimated reserves 2,175

Bcm?)

Scarcity of natural resources is aggravated by high population growth (>3%) Per capita freshwater

continue to decrease

Cont., GW Resources & Utiliz…

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Per Capita Available Water Share in GCC, 1950-2000

76.0%

19.5%4.5%

46.6%

43.9%

9.5%

95.7%

1.7%

2.7%

56.5%

25.0%

18.5%

94.7%

0.8%

4.4%

78.3%

18.7%3.0%

7.2%

1.7%

91.0%

Bahrain Kuwait Oman

Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE

All GCC CountriesAll GCC Countries

Groundwater

Desalinated Water

Reused Water

GCC Water Resources


57.3%

38.1% 4.6%

51.0%

46.9% 2.1%

92.3%

0.5%

7.2%

76.8%

19.4%3.9%

87.8%

0.9%

11.3%

69.6%

27.1% 3.3%

13.7%

1.2%

85.1%

Bahrain Kuwait Oman

Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE

All GCC CountriesAll GCC Countries

Agricultural

Municipal

Industrial

GCC Sectoral Water Use


Groundwater91%

Treated Wastewater

1.7%

Desalinated Water7.2%

IndustrialIndustrial

MunicipalMunicipal

AgriculturalAgricultural 85.1%

13.7% 1.2%

Agricultural PoliciesAgricultural Policies

Population & Population & UrbanizationUrbanizationGrowing!

MainPressures

Groundwater Resources & Use


Percent Growth in Water Demands

Source: Al-Alawi and Abdulrazzak, 1994; WB, 2005


0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar SaudiArabia

UAE GCC

%

1980-1990

1990-2000

Average

Supply-Driven Groundwater Development Leading to a

“Vicious Cycle”

Integrated Groundwater Resources Management Leading to a

“Virtuous Cycle”

THERE IS THERE IS MUCH TO BE MUCH TO BE

DONEDONE

TO MOVE TO MOVE FROM THE FROM THE CURRENT CURRENT

CYCLE TO THE CYCLE TO THE OTHER OTHER CYCLE!CYCLE!

Key Challenges for GW Management

(Source: GWMATE, 2003)

x

x x

x

x

x

x

Stages of Groundwater Resource Development in a Major Aquifer and their Corresponding Management Needs

(Source: GWMATE, 2003)

most aquifers in GCC

Groundwater exploitation Bahrain, 1925-2002

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GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF CORRESPONDING TOOL OR INSTRUMENT(according to hydraulic stress stage), Source: GWMATE, 2003

0 1 2 3

TECHNICAL TOOLS

Resource Assessment basic knowledge of aquifer conceptual model based on field data

numerical models operational with simulation of different abstraction.

models linked to decision-support and used for planning and management

Quality Evaluation no quality constraints experienced

quality variability is issue in allocation

water quality processes understood

quality integrated in allocation plans

Aquifer Monitoring no regular monitoring program

project monitoring, ad-hoc exchange of data

monitoring routines established monitoring programs used for management decisions

INSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENTS

Water Rights customary water rights occasional local clarification of water rights (via court cases)

recognition that societal changes override customary water rights

dynamic rights based on management plans

Regulatory Provisions only social regulation restricted regulation (e.g. licensing of new wells, restrictions on drilling)

active regulation and enforcement by dedicated agency

facilitation and control of stakeholder self-regulation

Water Legislation no water legislation preparation of groundwater resource law discussed

legal provision for organization of groundwater users

full legal framework for aquifer management

Stakeholder Participation

little interaction between regulator and water users

reactive participation and development of user organizations

Stakeholder organizations co-opted into management structure

stakeholders and regulator share responsibility for aquifer management

Awareness and Education

groundwater is considered an infinite and free resource

finite resource (campaigns for water conservation and protection)

economic good and part of an integrated system

effective interaction and communication between stakeholders

Economic Instruments economic externalities hardly recognized (exploitation subsidized)

only symbolic charges for water abstraction

recognition of economic value (reduction and targeting of fuel subsidies)

economic value recognized (adequate charging and increased possibility of reallocation)

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

Prevention of Side Effects

little concerns for side effects

recognition of (short- and long-term) side effects

preventive measures in recognition of in-situ value

mechanism to balance extractive uses and in-situ values

Resources Allocation limited allocation constraints

competition between users priorities defined for extractive use

equitable allocation of extractive uses and in-situ values

Pollution Control few controls over land use and waste disposal

land surface zoning but no proactive controls

control over new point source pollution and/or siting of new wells in safe zones

control of all point and diffuse sources of pollution; mitigation of existing contamination

GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF CORRESPONDING TOOL OR INSTRUMENT

0: BASELINE SITUATION

1: INCIPIENT STRESS

2: SIGNIFICANT STRESS

3: UNSTABLE DEVELOPMENT

TECHNICAL TOOLS

Resource Assessment

Quality Evaluation

Aquifer Monitoring

INSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENTS

Water Rights

Regulatory Provisions

Water Legislation

Stakeholder Participation

Awareness and Education

Economic Instruments

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

Prevention of Side Effects

Resources Allocation

Pollution Control

Levels of Groundwater Management Tools, Instruments and Interventions Necessary (Bahrain as a typical Case of the GCC)

(Source GWMATE, 2003)

Areas of Major

Management Deficiencies

We Need to be here

Demand Management Agricultural Sector

Groundwater Management Strategies

Increase in Areas under Irrigation in GCC, 1965-2002

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600

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1200

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2000

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Years

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00

ha

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FAOSTAT, 2004

KSA (LS)

UAE (RS)

Oman (RS)

Kuwait (RS)

Qatar (RS)Bahrain (RS)

Example: Wadi Al-Sarhan, KSA

Cont., GW Management Strategies

Irrigation Water Share of Total Groundwater Abstraction in the GCC, 2000

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar SaudiArabia

UAE Total

WB, 2005


Cont., Demand Management in Agricultural Sector Agriculture is now the main groundwater consumer

(85%) Irrigation efficiencies low at 30-45%; major “real”

savings can be achieved! Traditional irrigation practices Lack of monitoring and tariffs for irrigation water Low value & high water consumption crops Urgent need to apply demand management To move towards modern irrigation and agricultural

techniques (e.g., soilless culture)


Supply Management & Augmentation Desalinated Water

very rapid development to meet spiraling domestic water supply quality requirements in major cities in GCC

Used directly or blended with groundwater Currently GCC possesses

about 45% of total world desalination capacity

GCC remain an importer for the technology

Estimated total cost of desalination in the GCC over 21 billion US$

Negative environmental impacts (air and marine)


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Development of Desalination Capacity in the GCC Countries, 1980-2000

TSE use in agriculture Tertiary & advanced treatment facilities Treated sewage effluent only 20% of municipal water

volumes (2000) Problems of wastewater discharge to shallow aquifers

and marine environment, and water table rise in urban areas

Only 60% of treated wastewater is used (12% of domestic supply)

Used mainly in landscaping and ornamentation

Ambitious GCC plans for reuse an important component in the

GCC water budget in the future


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Aquifer Recharge Enhancement Dams Construction (capturing runoff and

groundwater artificial recharge)

80 58

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Dams Capacity in some GCC Countries



Example of Water Harvesting structures &

Artificial Recharge in Al-Daraiah Region,

Saudi Arabia (Al-Turbak and Al-Dossari, 2005)

Aquifer Recharge Enhancement Water Harvesting


Water levels in the observation bores of the injection scheme

012345678

1 2 3 4 9 10 13 14 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 32 33 34 36 37 40

Observation well No.m

bgs 2005

2000

Example of Injection of Tertiary Treated

Wastewater to combat seawater intrusion in Salalah Plain Aquifer,

Sultanate of Oman (Shamas, 2006) 2000

2005

Aquifer Recharge Enhancement Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) for unused water

(Desalinated & TSE) Salalah, Oman, TSE since 2000, to combat saline water intrusion and

for reuse by farmers Kuwait (planned?) Abu Dhabi, Pilot stage indicated that 18.2 Mm3 (4 BIG) of fresh water

can be stored with 88% system efficiency


Aquifer Recharge Enhancement Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) techniques for

secondary/tertiary treated wastewater In the experimental Stages, but have good potential

e.g., KISR (Kuwait), RI/KFUPM (Saudi Arabia) However, need very careful planning (pollutants,

effectiveness, and recovery)

GW Quality Protection Strategies Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment (General)

Provide policy makers with groundwater regions most susceptible to anthropogenic contamination

Land management practices can be optimized to protect groundwater

Example of Vulnerability Mapping and Assessment for Groundwater in Kuwait

(Al-Tahou, 2006)

Cont., GW Quality Protection Strategies

Well Head Protection Area (Specific) GCC Domestic water supply relies on groundwater

(54%) and desalinated water (46%) Groundwater pollution hazard assessment to promote

municipal authorities and environmental regulators to take both preventive and corrective actions

ToT method (modeling pathline analysis)

Example of WHPA + Vulnerability Mapping for the Alluvium Aquifer in in Wadi Al-Jizzi, Sultanate of Oman (Al-Shoukri, 2002)

Essential planning and management tools Observation of model performance under different

development and management options aids in selecting an optimum set of operating conditions to use groundwater without endangering its sustainability

GW Simulation Modeling

Use of Simulation Modeling in Studying Control of Seawater

Intrusion in the Coastal Aquifer, UAE (ESCWA, 2001)

Rus-UER Aquifer, Bahrain

In many forms, shapes, purposes, and techniques Simulation & Optimization GIS DBM systems Multi-objective Decision Support Tools …

Important tools to support the decision making process in GW resources management

Evaluate the effectiveness of different policy options of supply enhancement and demand management for long term sustainability of groundwater resources

Decision Support Systems

Applying DPSIR Framework on GW

Drivers

Pressures

State

Responses

Impact

Groundwater over-draft, lowering water levels and salinization, pollution loads

Economic, Social & Ecological losses

Agricultural demand

management measures, supply

management & augmentation

(Artificial recharge, TSE reuse, Desal.),

Awareness, Protection strategies,

Technological fixes, … etc.

Demographic, Economic

development, Technology, Agricultural

Policies

Increasing Demands, sectoral utilization &

competition, anthropogenic pollution,

Responses

Effectiveness

Partial control

DM Aquifer storage

Inflow Outflow

Agricultural demand

Municipal demandIndustrial demand

Desalination

TSE

population

growth

food demand

growth rate

Graph 1Table 1agricultural dm measures

Tariffs

UFW

KSA underflow

ArtRech

gw tariff

domestic demand

changing crop type

modern irrigationmodern agriculture

domestic dm measuresothers sectors demand

Awareness

Example on the Use of Dynamic

Modeling (STELLA) in the Management of

Groundwater Resources in

Bahrain

Agricultural sector dynamics

Domestic sector dynamics

Population dynamicsPopulation dynamics

Intensive mining of non-renewable GW, quality deterioration and depletion (mainly for agriculture)

Utilization of Non-Renewable GW

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%

Total dependency

AGR dependencyMUN dependency

Fossil Groundwater Dependency in GCC

Data Source: Bazza, 2005

Defining “sustainability” for non-renewable GW resources! Socio-economic approach & considerations

The potential alternative uses (present and future) of aquifer reserves

The value of the proposed use(s) in relation to the in-situ value of groundwater

The ‘what happens after’ question, “replacement water resources”, and the probable ‘exit strategy’

Need to be treated as a public property To be utilized with maximum hydraulic efficiency and

economic productivity Public awareness on the nature and uniqueness of non-

renewable GW

Cont., Utilization of Non-Renewable GW

Targets of non-renewable groundwater resources management in rationalization scenario following indiscriminate and

excessive exploitation

we are here, but which way to go next?

Cont., Utilization of Non-Renewable GW

(Source GWMATE, 2003)

GW resources should be declared as “Public Property”

Restricted abstraction rights Groundwater abstraction tariffs for rationalization Detailed monitoring of GW abstraction, sectoral

use, and state variables (potentiometry and quality) Appropriate institutional arrangements including

Dbase systems for archiving, processing, interpretation, and dissemination of information

GW Abstraction Rights, Monitoring & Tariffs

Conclusion & Recommendations GW are essential water for GCC socio-economic

development (GW Dependency Ratio=75%) GW resources are being over-drafted and

threatened by surface pollution (Invisible source) Diagnosis indicates major deficiencies in

management interventions, mainly “institutional instruments” side

“Managerial” challenge rather than a “Technical” Utilization of non-renewable groundwater

resources need to be based on a socio-economically sustainable approach

Thank Thank YouYou!!

Documents

Groundwater Resources Management in the GCC Countrieswstagcc.org/WSTA_8th_Conference/Integrated...Strategies Increase in Areas under Irrigation in GCC, 1965-2002 0 200 400 600 800