GROUNDWATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SAUDI GROUNDWATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA ARABIA Walid A. Abderrahman Walid A. Abderrahman Professor, Water Resources Management Professor, Water Resources Management President, Saudi Water Association President, Saudi Water Association Special Presentation at Water Conservation Special Presentation at Water Conservation Workshop Workshop Khober, Saudi Arabia Khober, Saudi Arabia December, 2006 December, 2006
Transcript
GROUNDWATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SAUDI GROUNDWATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIAARABIA
Walid A. AbderrahmanWalid A. AbderrahmanProfessor, Water Resources ManagementProfessor, Water Resources ManagementPresident, Saudi Water AssociationPresident, Saudi Water Association
Special Presentation at Water Conservation Special Presentation at Water Conservation WorkshopWorkshopKhober, Saudi ArabiaKhober, Saudi ArabiaDecember, 2006December, 2006
CONTENTS CONTENTS • INTRODUCTION
• WATER RESOURCES IN SAUDI ARABIA
• WATER SUPPLY SOURCES IN SAUDI ARABIA
• IMPACTS OF INTENSIVE USE OF GROUNDWATER AND ADOPTED MEASURES
• ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT ACTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES
• CONCLUSIONS
WATER RESOURCES IN SAUDI ARABIA
The extension of the outcrop areas of principle and secondary aquifers in agricultural regions i Saudi Arabia
Available Water resources in Saudi Arabia in 2003-2004(MCM)
5,0005,000--8,000 (2,230 available for use)8,000 (2,230 available for use)Surface waterSurface water
Average Water ShareAverage Water Share
The total The total volumes of available renewablevolumes of available renewable water water resources from surface water and groundwater resources from surface water and groundwater recharge are recharge are about 6,188 MCMabout 6,188 MCM. The average . The average water water shareshare from renewable resources is from renewable resources is about 281about 281 cubic cubic meters per person in 2005. According to the scarcity meters per person in 2005. According to the scarcity index the country is under extreme water shortages. index the country is under extreme water shortages. But, when the nonBut, when the non--renewable groundwater resources renewable groundwater resources are consideredare considered, the situation of the available water , the situation of the available water resources will be different.resources will be different.
NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND
WATER USE IN
THE KINGDOM
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1970 1980 1990 2000 2020 2025
Year
Popu
latio
n (m
illio
n)
Population Urban Population
Population Growth inPopulation Growth in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
GROWTH IN WATER DEMANDS
20 56 190 290 450 480 600 750200 446
1,508 1,8002,300 2,700
3,400 3,740
19,27120,474
21,361
22,833 22,45123,271 23,761
19,27119,27118,776
20,08319,271
9,470
6,018
9,972
6,238
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
1970 1980 1990 2000 2003 2010 2020 2025
Year
Wat
er D
eman
d M
CM
Industrial Water Demands Domestic Water Demand
Agicultuue Water Demand Total Water Demand
Growth in Industrial, Domestic, and Agricultural, water demands in the Kingdom
WATER SUPPLY SOURCES IN SAUDI ARABIA
Water Supply in Saudi Arabia (MCM)
22,833
15,543(68%)
6000
1050
240
2003
21,36123,27820,4749,972Total
14,071(65.9%)
17,628(75.7%)
13,824(67.5%)
3,662 (36.7%)
Groundwater nonrenewable
6000600060006000
Surface water & recharge to deep and shallow aquifers (renewable water)
1050540540200Desalination
240110110110Treated wastewater effluents
2000199219901980Water sourceWater source
Water Supply in Saudi Arabia (MCM)Water Supply in Saudi Arabia (MCM)
6,000
6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000
110
110 110 240 240
3,662
13,824 16,628 14,071 15,543
1050540 540 1050200
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
1980 1990 1992 2000 2005
Surface water and recharge Treated wastewater Groundwater(nonrenewable) Desalination
Groundwater Supplies in Saudi Arabia Groundwater Supplies in Saudi Arabia
15563
15563
9349
1556315240
37204438 5853
5181
6728
94409230
11801
1298116738
13776
1678316930 18525
1517816458 15876
1459115648 15643
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1999
2001
2003
2005
Year
Wat
er C
ons.
( M
CM
)
Water renewable Fossil water
Accumulative Groundwater Consumption in Saudi ArabiaAccumulative Groundwater Consumption in Saudi Arabia
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1999
2001
2003
Gro
undw
ater
ext
ract
ion
(MC
M/a
)
extraction of non-bl
estimated renewable
total groundwater extraction
estimated cumulative use of non-renewable groundwater reserve (MCM
groundwater extraction 87,0
00
202,
000
Case Studies
EASTERN PROVINCEEASTERN PROVINCEEASTERN PROVINCE
EASTERN PROVINCEEASTERN PROVINCEEASTERN PROVINCE
EASTERN PROVINCEEASTERN PROVINCEEASTERN PROVINCE
The Eastern Province has a very low annual precipitation (about 63 mm) and groundwater resources from local aquifers are the main water supply source for about 90% of the total demands in the province
Population Growth in Eastern ProvincePopulation Growth in Eastern Province
The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from Dammam aquifer on water level ( 1967Dammam aquifer on water level ( 1967--2005)2005)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Year
Wat
er E
xtra
ctio
n R
ate
MC
M
-6-4-202468101214
Wat
er L
evel
in M
eter
s M
SL
Total W.L.Well No Q6K Dammam W.L.Ras Tunura
The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from Dammam Aquifer on Salinity level Change Dammam Aquifer on Salinity level Change
in Dammam Area (1967in Dammam Area (1967--2005)2005)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1965 1975 1985 1995 2005Year
Gro
undw
ater
Abs
tract
ion
(MC
M)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
TDS
(ppm
)
Total TDS
UMM ER RADHUMA AQUIFER
The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from UER aquifer on water level in Dhahran Area from UER aquifer on water level in Dhahran Area
(1967(1967--2004)2004)
0100200300400500600700800
1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005Year
Extra
ctio
n R
ate
MC
M
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Wat
er L
evel
in m
eter
s M
SL
Total W.L. Well # 811
The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from UER The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from UER Aquifer on Salinity level Change Aquifer on Salinity level Change in Dhahran Area (1979in Dhahran Area (1979--2005)2005)
The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from Neogene aquifer on water level from Neogene aquifer on water level
(1951(1951--2005)2005)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Year
Wat
er E
xtra
ctio
n R
ate
MC
M
020406080
100120
140160
Wat
er L
evel
in M
eter
s M
SL
Neogene Aquifer W. L. Well # HH2N
The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from The Impact of Increase in Groundwater Pumping from Neogene Aquifer on Salinity level Change Neogene Aquifer on Salinity level Change
(1979(1979--2005)2005)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1965 1975 1985 1995 2005Year
Gro
undw
ater
A
bstra
ctio
n (M
CM
)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
TDS
(ppm
)
Neogene Aquifer TDS - Umm Saba'ah TDS-Haqel
North Western ProvinceNorth Western ProvinceNorth Western Province
North Western ProvinceNorth Western ProvinceNorth Western Province
North Western ProvinceNorth Western ProvinceNorth Western Province
North Western ProvinceNorth Western ProvinceNorth Western Province
• More than 1,500 wells have been pumping about 2,300 MCM/year of groundwater with salinity level of less than 400 ppm since 1986.
• About 48 BCM of groundwater have been pumped after 1986.
• This is equivalent to 3.5 times the total production of the desalination since early seventies of the last century until now.
ADOPTED MEASURES FOR ADOPTED MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GROUNDWATER IMPROVEMENT OF GROUNDWATER
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Utilization of nonUtilization of non--renewable groundwater can occur in renewable groundwater can occur in two approaches:two approaches:
•• Planned schemesPlanned schemes in which the mining of aquifer in which the mining of aquifer reserves is based on logical utilization of aquifer reserves is based on logical utilization of aquifer reserves with expected benefits and predicted impacts reserves with expected benefits and predicted impacts over a specified timeover a specified time--frame. frame.
•• An unplanned basisAn unplanned basis with incidental depletion of with incidental depletion of aquifer reserves, as a result of intensive aquifer reserves, as a result of intensive groundwater abstraction under limited recharge groundwater abstraction under limited recharge conditions. conditions.
Prior 2001, the government (Ministry of Agriculture and Prior 2001, the government (Ministry of Agriculture and Water) has adopted several regulations for proper Water) has adopted several regulations for proper utilization of groundwater resources. These include: utilization of groundwater resources. These include:
••Special permits from the Ministry for well drilling Special permits from the Ministry for well drilling including site, aquifer, depth, design, development and including site, aquifer, depth, design, development and production; production;
••Supervision of well drilling and development by the Supervision of well drilling and development by the Ministry, Ministry,
••Control on the purpose of water use by the Ministry, Control on the purpose of water use by the Ministry,
••Pan on well drilling in over pumped areas or in aquifers Pan on well drilling in over pumped areas or in aquifers which suffer from water level declines and quality change. which suffer from water level declines and quality change.
••The Ministry has also the right to claim water protected The Ministry has also the right to claim water protected zones for special uses such as domestic purpose.zones for special uses such as domestic purpose.
In July 2001, The Ministry of Water In July 2001, The Ministry of Water was announced to be responsible for was announced to be responsible for all related issues of water in the all related issues of water in the Kingdom. All water agencies and Kingdom. All water agencies and authorities became under the Ministry authorities became under the Ministry after the appointment of the Minister after the appointment of the Minister of Water (MW) in September 2002. of Water (MW) in September 2002. This is to secure effective water This is to secure effective water management and national planning, management and national planning, and to achieve the sustainability of and to achieve the sustainability of water resources and continuity of the water resources and continuity of the development and progress of the development and progress of the country country
The specific objectives of the new Ministry as stated in the The specific objectives of the new Ministry as stated in the Royal Decree No 125 on 25/4/1422 (16 July 2001) are:Royal Decree No 125 on 25/4/1422 (16 July 2001) are:
•• To supervise the water sector and its facilities, and the To supervise the water sector and its facilities, and the management, monitoring and organization of this sector.management, monitoring and organization of this sector.
•• To carry out all related studies to water in order to assess it To carry out all related studies to water in order to assess it resources, storage and available volumes. resources, storage and available volumes.
•• To prepare a comprehensive water plan defining the policies To prepare a comprehensive water plan defining the policies related to water, development of its resources, and water related to water, development of its resources, and water resources protection and conservation for different resources protection and conservation for different purposes. purposes.
The Ministry has adopted the Integrated Water The Ministry has adopted the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as the main Resources Management (IWRM) as the main tool to achieve sustainability of water resources tool to achieve sustainability of water resources and development of the Kingdom. and development of the Kingdom.
IWRM is a process which promotes the IWRM is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to water, land and related resources in order to maximize the resultant economic and social maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems ecosystems
Objectives, tools and actions of IWRM Objectives, tools and actions of IWRM (World Bank, 2003) (World Bank, 2003)
Economic Efficiency(Economic Sustainability)
Social Equity(Social Sustainability)
Environmental and Ecological Sustainability
Enabling Environment
PoliciesLegislationFora & mechanisms for participationInternational cooperation…
Managem
ent Instr
uments Institutional RolesAllocation
RegulationsEconomic Tools
…
Level of actionManagement boundariesCap. Build., …
Stages of groundwater resource development in a major aquifer Stages of groundwater resource development in a major aquifer and their corresponding management needs and their corresponding management needs (UNEP, 2003) (UNEP, 2003)
Groundwater Groundwater Conditions in Saudi Conditions in Saudi
ArabiaArabia
Targets for groundwater resources management in Targets for groundwater resources management in ‘‘rationalizationrationalizationscenariosscenarios’’ following indiscriminate and excessive exploitation following indiscriminate and excessive exploitation
(UNEP, 2003)(UNEP, 2003)
Groundwater Recovery in Saudi Arabia
Rationale Groundwater Resources Management in Saudi Arabia Rationale Groundwater Resources Management in Saudi Arabia Following Excessive Exploitation Following Excessive Exploitation 20032003
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003
Wat
er C
onsu
mpt
ion
(MC
M)
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
Wat
er L
evel
(m.s
.l.)
Water Consumption Water Level
Sustainable Level
Corrective demand management measures for agricultural Corrective demand management measures for agricultural purposes such as: purposes such as:
••75% reduction in wheat areas (since 1975) 75% reduction in wheat areas (since 1975)
••About 40% reduction in forage crops (mainly after 2001).About 40% reduction in forage crops (mainly after 2001).
••National water strategy tied with agricultural national National water strategy tied with agricultural national strategy (strategy is in final stages).strategy (strategy is in final stages).
••Further agricultural water demand reduction measures Further agricultural water demand reduction measures are expected soon. Reduction of at least 30% of are expected soon. Reduction of at least 30% of agricultural water use is important to protect the agricultural water use is important to protect the groundwater sustainability. groundwater sustainability.
Corrective demand management measures for domestic Corrective demand management measures for domestic purposes in urban and rural areas have been purposes in urban and rural areas have been implemented.implemented. Daily savings of about 30% of domestic use Daily savings of about 30% of domestic use or about 524,000 M3 (equal to the production of 4 or about 524,000 M3 (equal to the production of 4 desalination plants) have been achieved .desalination plants) have been achieved .
Furthermore, The MOWE has introduced a new strategy Furthermore, The MOWE has introduced a new strategy for PPP in managing the water and wastewater in major for PPP in managing the water and wastewater in major cities and tows in KSA. A new National Water Company cities and tows in KSA. A new National Water Company owned totally by the Government and supervised by the owned totally by the Government and supervised by the MOWE has been announced in October 2006. MOWE has been announced in October 2006.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Saudi Arabia has relied on groundwater resources to Saudi Arabia has relied on groundwater resources to support its comprehensive socio economic, agricultural and support its comprehensive socio economic, agricultural and industrial developments especially during the last three industrial developments especially during the last three decades. decades. Understanding the characteristics of the aquifer, Understanding the characteristics of the aquifer, the government has followed rationalizes approach to the government has followed rationalizes approach to utilize groundwater resources especially after 1993, by utilize groundwater resources especially after 1993, by controlling aquifer development, well licensing and drilling, controlling aquifer development, well licensing and drilling, agriculture policy modification, production of non agriculture policy modification, production of non conventional water resources. conventional water resources.
More serious measures have been taken after the More serious measures have been taken after the establishment of Ministry of Water and Electricity in 2001 establishment of Ministry of Water and Electricity in 2001 by the adoption of IWRM tools for achieving the by the adoption of IWRM tools for achieving the objectives of the national water policy and to accomplish objectives of the national water policy and to accomplish the sustainability of groundwater resources. the sustainability of groundwater resources.
Corrective demand management measures such Corrective demand management measures such as major shifting and reduction in agricultural as major shifting and reduction in agricultural areas, water conservation and reuse of treated areas, water conservation and reuse of treated wastewater effluents have to be carried out to wastewater effluents have to be carried out to protect the aquifers and groundwater resources protect the aquifers and groundwater resources in the Kingdom.in the Kingdom.
