The Eocene aquifer
is an important source of water supply to local communities in Jenin
district and parts of Nablus district. The aquifer is heavily utilized
for agricultural activities in specific. It is believed that there is a
potential for additional utilization of the aquifer through pumping. In
order to verify this, a simulation/optimization model was developed in
this study using the U. S. Geological Survery’s MODFLOW and GWM. The
groundwater model was constructed and calibrated under steady-state
conditions.
Based on the calibrated steady-state groundwater flow model, the annual
discharge from the Eocene aquifer outside the West Bank is about 55
million cubic meters. This simulation model was then utilized in the
development of the GWM model (optimization) to find out the optimal
pumping rates that the aquifer can sustain without depleting the
aquifer. The outcome from the GWM model shows that 23 mcm can be safely
pumped out from the Eocene aquifer through the existing wells.
This is achieved under the assumption that the Israeli wells tapping the
aquifer pumps 11.7 mcm and that the drop in the saturated thickness
does not exceed 50%. Results are manifested and analyzed and the
conclusions and recommendation are provided.