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GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND WATER GOVERNANCE THE EGYPTIAN EXPERIENCE

Fatma Abdel Rahman Attia

Professor Emeritus

Executive Summary Water governance is critical for the resource planning at both regional (shared aquifers) as well as at national (country) and local levels. Groundwater protection is (or should be) one of the aims of water governance. It aims at preventing non-beneficial uses of the resource and prevention of its degradation (quantitative and qualitative); leading to sustainable development of the resource base and activities based on it (A special case is non-renewable groundwater, where the word sustainability is not straightforward).. Egypt has, historically depended on the Nile as the main source of fresh water. People have settled in the Nile valley and delta since the pharaos. However, nomads have been pioneers in creating their own communities around springs in the oases of the Western Desert. Limitations on surface water and population increase led to a decrease in per capita water and land shares. This, combined with technology development, led to the introduction of new water management styles; namely: (1) large groundwater development schemes; and (2) reuse of secondary sources of water (e.g. agricultural and waste drainage). Adding to these, the impacts of climate change. The results have been tremendous; namely: (1) loss of groundwater rights, groundwater pollution and sea water intrusion in the coastal aquifers (including formation of sabkhas and loss of agricultural lands). The paper presents, briefly, the hydrogeological set-up in Egypt, including the main characteristics of the major aquifer systems. Three case studies are presented and discussed with the institutional responses and lessons learned: (1) Groundwater Management in the Egyptian Oases; (2) Land and Groundwater Management in the North Delta; and (3) Reuse (direct and indirect) or poor disposal of industrial and domestic waste water on groundwater pollution. In the three cases, the responsible bodies of the ministry have responded after in depth discussions with the people (those affected by and those responsible for the problems). A short summary is given below followed by lessons learned and recommendations. Groundwater Management in the Egyptian Oases: The main conflicts are a result of inappropriate wells of the local communities (Siwa and Farafra) and implementation of new wells in the vicinity of the locals; thus adversely affecting existing water rights and high losses of water (non-renewable) and loss of productive lands. The responsible institutions took various actions, starting by meetings with the old and new communities, design and implementation of field surveys and monitoring systems along with implementing pilot schemes (subjected to evaluation). The major results included: (1) local and new communities have applied for licensing their water points (if appropriate); (2) replacement of poor wells; (3) formation of water users associations (including small and large owners); and implementation of new water management schemes suitable for the prevailing hydrogeological conditions. This has resulted in recovery of old springs and lands, cooperation between small land owners and large investors, and reduction of water losses.

Land and Groundwater Management in the North Delta: The increase in groundwater extractions in the southern Delta along with effects of climate change led to the salinization of groundwater and formation of sabkhas over large portions of the delta leading to the loss of large agricultural lands. The owners of the

In one of the oases in Egypt, investors formed a sort of unofficial users’ organization on the sub-basin level to ensure application of appropriate groundwater management technologies.

Small beneficiaries in the oasis decided to join to benefit from the experiences of the investors,

especially in marketing their products

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deteriorated agricultural lands have, first, been approached by investors who proposed turning their lands into fish farms. Although their revenue has more than doubled at the beginning, groundwater salinity has increased with time becoming unsuitable for the type of species they are growing. At that time, the regulations were not allowing growing fish on groundwater. To respond to the situation, the official bodies carried out investigations and implemented monitoring systems (variable depths). Studies based on the results of such investigations indicated that pumping brackish groundwater in the north will protect groundwater in the south from additional degradation and will created enough space for the infiltration of fresh water (mainly effective rain). However, well water will be subject to salinization due to upconing of deeper more saline groundwater. As a result, the existing wells have been licensed and the official bodies have promised to supply the results of investigations concerning the change in groundwater salinity with time on the existing schemes and the most suitable depth for any new well. The owners can decide either to change the type of species or drill new (shallower) wells. Reuse of Wastewater: Reuse of domestic waste water started in 1915 at a small scale (El Gabal El Asfar); but has now been practiced at larger scales in various regions. The results of monitoring indicated that: (1) even with the reuse of primary treated (aeration ponds) domestic water, the impact on (low vulnerable) groundwater pollution is minimal in the cases (due to SAT effect); however it might become harmful in the long term; and (2) the major problems are due to the disposal or reuse of a combination of domestic and industrial waste water. The research body of the ministry carried out tests on the effect of indirect reuse of domestic waste water through artificial recharge (AR). Results indicated that AR using clay/silt bottom covers for the basins would result in additional treatment, resulting in higher protection of groundwater (only if it does not contain industrial effluents). These results have been reported to the responsible bodies who responded through a training workshop of their staff on the safe reuse of wastewater and promised to follow the recommendations and implement monitoring systems for early warning. Lessons Learned and Recommendations:

Groundwater should be considered a strategic water resource…It should not be exploited unless an added value is ensured.

Groundwater is a fragile water resource, once polluted it is almost unrecoverable … Protection is easier than remediation.

Monitoring should be considered an integral part of the project cycle for timely action.

We should not try to invent high cost and complicated technologies; but rather use what is in place with minor modifications whenever possible; based on discussions with the local communities.

Decentralization is a key factor in groundwater protection and governance. However, we should not forget the characteristics of the Hydrogeological boundaries.

Human resources development, including both professionals and operators (technicians) should receive proper attention.

Awareness is an important factor in the success of actions. It should not be restricted to the normal public, but should also extend to the decision makers.

Enforcement of water protection legislation, and especially groundwater protection laws, should be given high attention (preceded by awareness).

Participation of groundwater users is a major concern. It should be ensured prior to the decision on any new scheme and all over the project cycle. We should not forget the role of women (professionals or users) in protecting groundwater.

One fact, that is sometimes unforseen, is that most of the aquifers containing fresh groundwater are underlain by formations containing non-fresh water. This fact dictates that research be carried out on the whole aquifer system, evaluating the potential (reserves) of both fresh and non-fresh groundwater. Changing the type of land use could, thus be considered from the begenning of development.

Regional maps (Atlas) for all types of water, including the quality, should be made available for future plans on water allocation to uses.