Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Gulf Countries: A Review and Selection Criteria

Abstract

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are arid with very limited availability of water resources. In recent years, these countries have started an intensive program to increase the storage of groundwater through various techniques of managed aquifer recharge (MAR). Water consisting of varying quantity and quality (derived from various sources) are used via MAR techniques to increase the groundwater storage and, if possible to enhance its quality, respectively. This paper presents a review of the MAR techniques practiced in GCC countries including the implementation strategies of the different structures. Generally, seven MAR techniques are utilized in GCC countries including dams, aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) technique, aquifer storage transfer and recovery (ASTR) technique, ponds, soil aquifer treatment (SAT) technique, rooftop rainwater harvesting, and Karez/Ain system. Results indicated that ASR using excess desalinated water or treated sewage effluent (TSE) is the most used MAR technique in GCC countries, followed by the use of ASTR, dams, and ponds. Based on this review, twelve different selection criteria have been developed for GCC countries for better MAR practice in the future.

COP26 Visions for a Net Zero Future – Regional Profile for the Arabian Peninsula

“…• In contrast, managed aquifer recharge could represent a viable practice to increase groundwater storage 89 .…”

“…In addition to improved desalination technologies, solutions focus on conservation of water resources, and demand management. Conservation techniques include better capture of run-off, increased dam storage capacity (accounting for climatic constraints and elevated evaporation rates), artificial recharge, forced infiltration and rainwater harvesting 89,136 , along with novel irrigation, such as drip irrigation (35% savings in water use), and transition to low-water crops 131,224 . Treatment and reuse of grey wastewater, and efforts in KSA to use impaired water (i.e.…”

COP26 Futures We Want – Regional Profile for the Arabian Peninsula

“…In addition to improved desalination technologies, solutions focus on conservation of water resources, and demand management. Conservation techniques include better capture of run-off, increased dam storage capacity (accounting for climatic constraints and elevated evaporation rates), artificial recharge, forced infiltration and rainwater harvesting 89,136 , along with novel irrigation, such as drip irrigation (35% savings in water use), and transition to low-water crops 131,224 . Treatment and reuse of grey wastewater, and efforts in KSA to use impaired water (i.e.…”

From managed aquifer recharge to soil aquifer treatment on agricultural soils: Concepts and challenges

“…Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) comprises a variety of methods that intentionally divert, transport, store, infiltrate, and recharge excess surface water into aquifers during a wet period for subsequent recovery during dry periods or for environmental benefit (Bouwer, 2002;Dillon et al, 2009;Kocis and Dahlke, 2017;Scanlon et al, 2016). The principal objectives of MAR include: (1) storage of excess water during the wet period for later use in dry periods (mainly in arid/semi-arid regions); (2) the introduction of a water treatment barrier (improving water quality for future specific use); (3) the creation of a hydraulic barrier that prevents seawater intrusion (e.g., in coastal regions) (Aharoni et al, 2011;Parimalarenganayaki, 2020); and (4) flood control (Deiminiat et al, 2011;Standen et al, 2020). There are numerous and varied MAR technologies and configurations used to meet a variety of conditions and constraints, depending on the recovered water's purpose (e.g., drinking, irrigation, hygiene, sustaining ecosystems, or industrial water and recreation (Page et al, 2018)).…”