There is a growing concern in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to exploit water resources of acceptable quality to meet demands in domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors. The agricultural water need, which constitutes approximately 84% of the total demand, was estimated to be 7430 million cubic meters in 1985. The annual domestic and other demands amounted to 1400 million cubic meters for 1985. Various alternative supplies to meet these demands are surface water, renewable groundwater resources, reclaimed wastewater, desalinated water, and non-renewable groundwater. Due to excessive withdrawal of water from deep aquifers, considerable drawdown has recently been noticed.This paper reviews the existing and future trends in developing surface water resources, reclamation of wastewater from various towns and cities and its use, and the role of desalination plants in the coastal regions of the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. These alternatives are evaluated and compared in economic terms. Cost-capacity relationships are developed for various alternatives which will be used in developing long-term plans for optimum allocation of available resources in different parts of the Kingdom.

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The total maximum rate of production of groundwater without disturbing the artesian flow of water from springs in Al-Hassa region is about 10.125 m 3 s -1 . If the rate of pumping increases by 20 per cent, the springs will cease to flow naturally within 15 years. The total water demand for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes until the year 2000 is expected to be twice the present total demand. A suitable plan is suggested to meet the increase in demand. Irrigation requirements can be met by utilizing agricultural drainage water and treated sewage effluents and by implementing new irrigation methods. Tapping the same aquifer that feeds these springs at a lower gradient, about 55 km south-west of Al-Hassa, can meet the growing demands of domestic and industrial purposes without affecting the prevailing groundwater conditions in this area.

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