Abstract
Abstract This research explores the possibility of creating an underground water reservoir by injecting treated wastewater and evaluates the recovery efficiency and water quality under different injection/recovery scenarios. An injection/recovery well was established in the Dammam Formation aquifer in Kuwait. Six observation wells were also drilled nearby to monitor the water levels and quality. A three-dimensional (3D) numerical hydraulic and transport model was set up using the coupled version of MODFLOW and MT3DMS. Four scenarios of cyclic and continuous injection with different injection and pumping rates stretching over 5,400 days were investigated. Two dispersivity values, low (10 m) and high (200 m), were used in each scenario in order to establish the minimum and maximum recovery limits of useful water that can be expected from the site. The combination of injection rate of 650 m3/d and subsequent recovery at 1,000 m3/d proved to be the optimum option for the storage of water, resulting in good recovery efficiency and acceptable water quality. Based on these results, it was concluded that aquifer storage is a feasible strategy for mitigating growing water scarcity in the State of Kuwait and other countries in the larger Middle East.
Highlights
IntroductionThe arid regions of the world are currently facing greater challenges than ever before when it comes to securing freshwater resources
Aquifer storage is considered as one of the solutions to water scarcity. The applicability of aquifer storage in the Dammam Formation in Kuwait has been investigated. The results under various scenarios suggested that artificial aquifer recharge is a viable option. From operational considerations, the lower rate of recharge (650 m3 dÀ1) and recovery (1,000 m3 dÀ1) is recommended
The Visual MODFLOW (VMOD) software was used for this purpose, and system version 2011.1 was used for numeric modeling
Summary
The arid regions of the world are currently facing greater challenges than ever before when it comes to securing freshwater resources. Higher standard of living, and expanding urbanization, there is an exigent need for improved water resource supply and demand management. Under a best-case scenario, about 2 billion people in over 50 nations will be facing severe water scarcity, mostly in the Middle East (UNESCO 2013), where freshwater availability is expected to decline considerably because of soaring demand. Kuwait is an affluent and highly urbanized nation, where nearly the whole population lives in cities. A large volume of municipal wastewater is generated annually, and such a trend is expected to increase in the future to keep pace with the growing water withdrawal demands.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
