Impacts of Irrigation on Shallow Groundwater in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed rapid and comprehensive developments during the last two decades in the social, industrial, agricultural and construction sectors. Expansion of agricultural areas and excessive use of irrigation water has resulted in the formation and continuous rise of a shallow water-table and waterlogging in some parts of the Kingdom such as the Eastern Province. This is due to the absence of an effective drainage network and the presence of an impervious layer at shallow depths. Landsat images and crop-water demand models have been utilized to investigate the history, causes and extent of this problem in the west of Al-Awjam area of the Eastern Province as an example of waterlogged areas in the Province and in the Kingdom. The shallow groundwater has continued to rise with the expansion of the irrigated agriculture. Chemical analyses of water samples indicate that the shallow groundwater table is contaminated with high concentrations of salts in addition to trace elements. The continuous rise of the shallow groundwater table and its contamination have caused negative impacts on the environment, agriculture, groundwater resources, human health and engineering facilities. To overcome such problems, an effective solution through the introduction of a drainage system is required to lower the water table. Sound irrigation development should always consider necessary actions to drain the excess irrigation water to avoid shallow water table formation and rise. This is necessary to protect environmental resources and human health in the Kingdom and worldwide.