Assessment of Groundwater Resources in Selected Areas of AI Ain in the U.A.E.

T�e su tainabl� d�veJop�ent of any region depends on the avai labi l ity of water resources. In and ar:d sem � -and regI Ons, �he . shortage in freshwater resources constitutes the major cons�ralllt agamst th e panslOn III agricultural and industrial activities. Therefore, every possIble effort should be made to assess. develop and sustain the l imited freshwater water resource in uch regions. The nited Arab Emirate (UAE) is located in an arid region, "vhere the cl imate is har h and the r . e fr� h\\'ater resources are very l imited . Despite the severe shortage in water re o�rce ' . \ ater IS ml used and �om�times wasted. The per capita dai ly consumption in the E I estunated at 700 lid hlch IS among the highest consumptions in the world including tho e countries with excess water resources. On the other hand, the country has experienced a rapid development over the last three decades. Vast areas have been cultivated and green belts have been created around cit ies and along the highways. Many new industries were establ i hed in the different Emirates. As a result, the water demands to meet the rapid development in the different sectors have increased considerably during the same period. This increase in demand was partial ly covered by the expansion in the development of de alination water. evertheless, the groundwater resources have been overexploited for agricultural purpose . M any private farms were developed and hundreds of pumping wel ls \ ere constructed . Records indicate that groundwater resources are currently under the risk of pos ible depletion not only because of the excessive pumping but also due to the l imited recharge from rainfa l l . This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the groundwater resources in some selected areas in A l Ain . The study area included Al Hayer, Gummed, Nahi l and part of Al Khadar. Previous reports, information and data were critical ly reviewed and discussed. The hydrogeological setting and main hydrogeological parameters for the study area were reviewed. Avai lable records for the groundwater levels were analyzed and contour maps were developed for the equipotential l ines depth to groundwater and drawdown in the different years. These maps were compared to provide a better understanding for the groundwater system and the flow pattem in the study area. As compared to the records of 1 99 1 , the maximum drawdown in the groundwater levels was about 1 7 m at the central part of the study area. On the other hand, contour maps were developed to assess the change in the water quality over the l ast two decades. It is concluded that the change in the groundwater qual ity is limited and it can be used for umestricted irrigation purposes. A two-dimensional finite-element model (SUTRA) was employed to simulate the groundwater condition is the study domain. Argus-One was used as pre-processor and post­ processor for SUTRA. The model was cal ibrated for the groundwater measurements . of the year 200 1 and was then used to predict the groundwater levels for the year 20 1 a assummg the same pumpi ng rates. The expected decl ine in the groundwater levels within the study d? �ain varied between 5 m near the boundaries and 9 . 5 m at the central part. Due to the l ImIted avai labi l ity of data, the results of the model should be regarded as qual i tative rather than quantitative. F inal ly, recommendations were proposed to protect and sustain the groundwater resources.