The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) has revealed that it uses digital applications to collect groundwater monitoring data in the emirate and to identify new locations that were not covered in the monitoring plan to add to the groundwater monitoring network, noting that groundwater contributes 63% of the total water use in Abu Dhabi Compared to 29% for desalinated water and 8% for treated water.
In its annual report for 2018, the Authority confirmed the development of a series of legislation related to the management of groundwater resources in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the relevant authorities in the emirate.These legislations defined the requirements and procedures for obtaining various environmental licenses, including drilling wells and water extraction. , Operation of desalination units, groundwater meter maintenance requirements based on technical standards.
The legislation also addresses the management of saline water resulting from the desalination of groundwater, the requirements of decommissioning of wells, and the environmental conditions of the drilling process.
The Authority pointed out that the excessive extraction of groundwater has led to the deterioration of its quality during the past 20 years, the current rate of extraction reached 2.070 million cubic meters, while the amount of groundwater currently possible 642 thousand million cubic meters.
The Authority's groundwater monitoring network consists of 665 wells. Data collected from these wells contributes to updating the map of depleted areas and is a key element in supporting groundwater management in the Emirate.
She pointed out that the survey of basic data on groundwater quality, contributed to the identification of four key indicators, including the extent of the impact of human activities in the groundwater reserves, and the assessment of the rate of natural recharge in various groundwater reservoirs throughout the Emirate, and the preparation of groundwater quality index maps that provide Valuable inputs related to land use planning, in addition to the review of the comprehensive plan for monitoring the quality of groundwater over the next decade, pointing out the inventory and registration of 117,859 water wells in agricultural farms, measuring and recording water levels in 46 thousand 120 wells, and measuring electrical conductivity Of 28 thousand and 288 wells, recording 1156 desalination plant data small-scale water for agricultural use.
The Authority confirmed that 2018 witnessed the continuation of its contributions to the provision of strategic groundwater stocks through three projects within the strategy of groundwater management for the emergency, including the rehabilitation of well fields not used in the areas of Al Ain and Al Dhafra, and the development of the results of feasibility studies and the pilot project to recharge groundwater reservoirs, The project aims to rehabilitate 200 unused water wells in the Kushuna field (Al Ain area) and Bu Hasa field (Al Dhafra area) to be used to provide safe drinking water during emergencies.
She added that the results of feasibility studies for the recharge of groundwater reservoirs revealed the possibility of establishing a project for storing and restoring groundwater in Al-Shuwaib area, where the existing plans were reviewed, verification of hydrological characteristics, conceptual design and operational performance. In case of emergency in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, assessing the best scenarios for linking strategic groundwater projects in Al Dhafra area (Liwa project), the unused water wells project in Al Ain area (Al Shuwaib project), and identifying and evaluating Abu Dhabi Emirate's strategic role Water security in the UAE, in addition to evaluating scenarios for linking strategic groundwater projects in Al Ain (Al Shuwaib) and the proposed projects at the level of the rest of the UAE.
The strategic freshwater storage project in Al Dhafra is one of the world's leading groundwater storage projects, and the largest man-made freshwater storage project in the world, where water reservoirs in Liwa are injected with desalinated water to enhance groundwater quality and increase aquifer stock. Fresh water. The amount of water injected (stored water) is about 25.5 million cubic meters, equivalent to providing about 180 liters per capita in Abu Dhabi for 90 days in an emergency.