Groundwater Monitoring in Egypt
Andreas de Jong was the Groundwater Monitoring Coordinator of Groundwater Sector TA project in Egypt, funded by the Government of the Netherlands.
A groundwater monitoring and management system was developed for the Nubian Sandstone aquifer in Fafraha oasis that could be used as a blue print for other Groundwater Sector Directorates in Egypt. A database and GIS was set up of over 130 artesian wells with depths up to 1,200 metres. Landsat 7 satellite images were processed to map the cultivated areas. On the job training on techniques of data collection, processing and presentation was given to staff of the Groundwater Sector.
Following the successful conclusion of the pilot project, the techniques developed during the pilot were applied to North Sinai where over 1,000 wells were inventoried during the summer of 2001. Groundwater Sector staff were advised on the setting up of a database and GIS of groundwater resources for the remaining oases in the Western Desert.
The Western Desert of Egypt is a fascinating place and visitors come from all over the world to visit scenic spots such as the 'White Desert' near Farafra oasis where this picture was taken.
Most of the desert is underlain by vast resources of fresh groundwater stored in the Nubian Sandstone aquifer. This aquifer was recharged until approximately 8,000 years ago and represents a 'fossil' water resource as present day recharge is negligible.
In the low lying areas, such as Farafra oasis, the groundwater head is well above ground surface. Wells that tap the Nubian Sandstone flow freely under artesian pressure and can yield 5,000 to 10,000 m3/day for tens of years.
Degassing of H2S and CO2 as the groundwater approaches the ground surface results in highly aggressive water. This privately owned well demonstrates why all new wells are equipped with corrosive resistant materials.
"Water is life"
In the coastal aquifer of Northern Sinai groundwater trenches were pioneered as an innovative solution to capture the groundwater before it is lost to the sea.
