Sustainable Development of Groundwater in East Owienat, Egypt

Abstract

Groundwater is a vital water source in arid and semi-arid regions. In East Owienat area groundwater is an only available water source. This study assessed the characteristics of the hydrogeological system and the baseline condition of the aquifer using field data and numerical modeling. The main objective of this research is to study the impacts of groundwater development on groundwater aquifer sustainability and to select the optimum development scenario, which achieves sustainable development with a minimal effect on aquifer potentiality. Groundwater flow was simulated using the Visual MODFLOW package. The model was calibrated under steady state conditions in January 1985. The model was verified from January 1985 to January 2018 according to observation point's data. The calibrated model then was used for the prediction simulations. Different extraction scenarios were suggested and evaluated to predict the behavior of groundwater aquifer and select the most feasible scenario. The evaluated groundwater extraction scenarios included: current extraction, proposed extraction and seasonally pumping of groundwater scenario. The results indicated that the seasonal operational aquifer scenario is highly recommended for a long-term management plan to achieve groundwater sustainability.

Keywords: Groundwater; Sustainable Development; Modflow; East Owienat.

DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-7-06

Publication date:July 31^st 2020