ASR AS A STRATEGIC RESOURCE - CHALLENGES IN THE ARABIAN GULF REGION

Ali Mehrabinejad , Iman Mehrabinejad , Leila Mirzaei , Manoochehr Chitsazan , Farshad Alijani

Ulrich Schott
1Schlumberger Water Services, Doha, State of Qater, uschott@hotmail.com,
Topic: MAR in Arid Environments
Keywords: ASR, strategic drinking water resource, Arabian Gulf, scaling, location
groundwater protection zones.

The countries along the Arabian Gulf are undergoing a rapid economical development. Major coastal cities depend on desalinated seawater as main drinking water supply. They are vulnerable to interruption of the water supply due to technical failure, natural disasters or hostile acts. For instance, emergency supply for drinking water may not exceed two days for the city of Doha. Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) can provide a reliable strategic resource.

This paper discusses planning aspects that are of special interest for the implementation of a strategic drinking water resource in the Arabian Gulf Region.

As first step, the need for flexible project scaling is discussed.

Regarding the choice of the ASR site, the specific configuration of water supplier, demand centre and the location of a suitable aquifer are the main parameters. It is common knowledge that the shorter the conveyance distance, the cheaper and the more reliable the ASR system can be operated. However, along the coast suitable aquifers for long-term storage are the exception; ASR sites may have to make do with remote locations in the inland.

A strategic drinking water resource is expected to be available for decades to come. With time, agricultural development and with it the increased groundwater abstraction for irrigation may cause a hydraulic impact on the ASR site leading to displacement of the injected water body and thus reduced recovery efficiency.

Urban and industrial development poses an additional threat through groundwater contamination. Thus the introduction of the concept of groundwater protection zones is of high importance.

The paper concludes that strategic drinking water storage is feasible within the arid environment of the Arabian Gulf. However, implementation requires local knowledge of the unique local conditions regarding hydrogeology, economic development and regulatory aspects.

References

ALSHARHAN, A.S., RIZK, Z.A., NAIRN, A.E.M., BAKHIT, D.W. & AL HAJARI, S.A. (2001): Hydrogeology of an Arid Region: The Arabian Gulf and Adjoining Areas.- 331 p.; Amsterdam

Commission on Sustainable Development (2002): Qatar - Country Profile - In: 2002 Country Profiles Series, World Summit on Sustainable Development; Johannesburg.

FAO - United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (2009): AQUASTAT. - Online Database; Rome.

Rasheeduddin, M. and W.A. Abderrahman (2001): Management of Groundwater Resources in Eastern Saudi Arabia. – Int. Journal of Water Resources Management, Vol.17 / 2: 185 - 210. – Taylor & Francis Group / Routledge; London.