In cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development, USGS helped regional partners assess the suitability for managing scarce groundwater resources, and improving water supply, using artificial recharge methods.
Background
Aquifers are important sources of water in the arid Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, especially during droughts and dry seasons. However, many aquifers are under stress due to high rates of pumping and low rates of natural recharge. Water supply can be improved by use of various methods collectively referred to as Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR), or more commonly as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), in which captured stormwater runoff or treated wastewater is recharged to depleted aquifers to improve water security. MAR is a practical and cost-effective solution to recover and store millions of cubic meters of water that would otherwise be lost.
MAR is currently underutilized in the MENA region due to the high cost of site identification and difficulty matching MAR & ASR technologies to site conditions. The goal of this activity was to improve water security in the MENA region by accelerating MAR. This activity aimed to accelerate adoption of MAR by applying and disseminating new methods for mapping and identifying high potential MAR locations using remote sensing, geospatial data, and water availability analyses.
Objectives
The overall goal was to improve water security in the MENA region by accelerating use of ASR & MAR. Specific objectives were:
- Demonstrate new methods to identify high potential MAR sites
- Map MAR potential in two study areas for testing & replication in other MENA countries
- Build the capacity of MENA water institutions to develop non-conventional water resources
Below is related USGS science.
International Water Resources Activities
Artificial Groundwater Recharge
San Gorgonio Pass Artificial Recharge Investigation
Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Babocomari - Managed Aquifer Recharge
Equus Beds Recharge Project
- Overview
In cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development, USGS helped regional partners assess the suitability for managing scarce groundwater resources, and improving water supply, using artificial recharge methods.
Background
Aquifers are important sources of water in the arid Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, especially during droughts and dry seasons. However, many aquifers are under stress due to high rates of pumping and low rates of natural recharge. Water supply can be improved by use of various methods collectively referred to as Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR), or more commonly as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), in which captured stormwater runoff or treated wastewater is recharged to depleted aquifers to improve water security. MAR is a practical and cost-effective solution to recover and store millions of cubic meters of water that would otherwise be lost.
MAR is currently underutilized in the MENA region due to the high cost of site identification and difficulty matching MAR & ASR technologies to site conditions. The goal of this activity was to improve water security in the MENA region by accelerating MAR. This activity aimed to accelerate adoption of MAR by applying and disseminating new methods for mapping and identifying high potential MAR locations using remote sensing, geospatial data, and water availability analyses.
Objectives
The overall goal was to improve water security in the MENA region by accelerating use of ASR & MAR. Specific objectives were:
- Demonstrate new methods to identify high potential MAR sites
- Map MAR potential in two study areas for testing & replication in other MENA countries
- Build the capacity of MENA water institutions to develop non-conventional water resources
- Science
Below is related USGS science.
International Water Resources Activities
USGS water-related projects of international interest.Artificial Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater levels are declining across the country as our withdrawals exceed the rate of aquifers to naturally replenish themselves, called recharge. One method of controlling declining water levels is by using artificial groundwater recharge. The USGS monitors wells to evaluate the effect of groundwater depletion and recharge, and provides vital information to those who depend on groundwater...San Gorgonio Pass Artificial Recharge Investigation
San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) covers an area of 220 square miles in the mountain pass between the Upper Santa Ana River Basin to the west and the Coachella Valley to the east. Since 1961, when the SGPWA was formed, demand for ground water has increased with the increase in population within the agency boundaries. To prepare for future demands for water, the SGPWA has proposed to...Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a water resources management technique for actively storing water underground during wet periods for recovery when needed, usually during dry periods. The timeframe can range from months to decades. Intentional aquifer storage, with the intent of using the water later, has been used for hundreds of years, but is being further developed and refined as demand...Babocomari - Managed Aquifer Recharge
We are working to investigate the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research is being conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is supporting our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration (BR)...Equus Beds Recharge Project
The water supply for the city of Wichita, south-central Kansas, currently comes from the Equus Beds aquifer and Cheney Reservoir. Because these sources are not expected to meet projected city water needs into the 21st century (Warren and others, 1995), artificial recharge of the Equus Beds aquifer was investigated as one alternative to meet future water-supply demands. An additional potential... - Data
- Publications
- Partners