Objectives

The targeted objective is to develop a spatially distributed optimal exploitation scheme that maintains a sustained yield capacity of the aquifer satisfying the present and future water demand and simultaneously protect the aquifer systems considering both quantity and quality aspects. More specifically:

1) To explore the study area potentials and the representation of a suitability map for the cultivation development projects and related activities (e.g., landfill sites) using Geographical Information System-based multicriteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA). A decision rule to determine the quantification of the appropriateness of each location to acquire a new rural community or landfills site will be initiated. The suitability will be determined based on a set of relevant multiple, and incommensurate factors, (e.g., geographical and biophysical variables and water accessibility and quality).

2) To understand the current situation of the aquifer system utilizing a numerical model (Feflow Model) in terms of water balance, groundwater level, and flow pattern, together with the assessment of model uncertainty. To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first attempt to address the uncertainty of these aquifer’s parameters (i.e., recharge, hydraulic conductivity, and distribution of unregistered wells). 

3) To determine future water needs and possible exploitation polices of the aquifer considering the anthropogenic-induced implications.

4) The validated flow model will be used afterward to execute hypothetical scenarios in an attempt to reveal how bad the groundwater regime will eventually become under malpractice or misuse pumping.

5) To investigate the environmental impact of the reasonable groundwater extraction schemes on the aquifer hydrodynamics as well on its water quality considering saltwater intrusion under different climate change scenarios.

6) The increase in pumping of freshwater would accelerate further seawater intrusion and will have undesirable consequences on the availability of freshwater. To provide a stagnant interface and restore the balance between freshwater and saline water and thereby improving the groundwater quality in the aquifer without disturbing the socioeconomic activities in the pumping fields, an alternative mitigation measure should be addressed and evaluated. This involves the pumping of brackish water from the zone of dispersion for a specified period of time under variable discharge rates, and this pumped water can either be used for desalination or to irrigate crops/plants that are high in salt tolerance.

7) To develop optimal pumping strategies including the location of well fields and the rate of extraction for the aquifer. The targeted output is the most feasible groundwater management option in terms of meeting the development ambitions in a sustainable manner. Uncertainty analysis of optimal pumping strategy in terms of reliability would be addressed.

8) To discuss groundwater management practices and adaptation measures by farms to overcome the challenges of increasing salinity and setting standards on the volume of water used.

9) To develop a web-based groundwater flow application for the aquifer systems to aid in decision making. Indeed, implementing groundwater flow model simulation using an interface built into a web browser is a completely new approach as a groundwater decision support tool.