Selection of Suitable Sites for Artificial Recharge in Kuwait Using GIS Technology

Amitabha Mukhopadhyay & Amr Fadlemmwala
Hydrology & Water Management Department
Water Resources Division
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
P.O. Box 24885, 13109 Safat
Kuwait

Abstract

Advantage of a hydrogeological database for Kuwait, developed recently, was taken for selecting suitable areas for artificial groundwater recharge in Kuwait using Geographical Information System (GIS) technology. Hydrogeological criteria for the suitability of an aquifer for artificial recharge in Kuwait were established based on the field experience in Kuwait and elsewhere and numerical modeling study. These criteria were used in delineating areas where the two target aquifers in Kuwait, namely, the Kuwait Group and the Dammam Formation, have suitable combination of aquifer properties for artificial recharge. The nearness to infrastructure like roads, power and water supply, the main demand centers, etc. were taken in to account in the ultimate selection of the areas that could be considered for recharge. The areas were further graded on a suitability scale of 1 to 4 (least suitable to most suitable) depending on the degree to which the areas have the preferred combination of the hydrogeologic parameters. Three areas were found to be suitable for recharge in the Kuwait Group aquifer, whereas only one area was found to be suitable for recharge in the Dammam Formation aquifer.

Key Words: Dammam Formation; Kuwait Group; Aquifer; Hydrogeological Database