Optimal Management of Groundwater Pumping The Case of the Eocene Aquifer, Palestine

m.almasri's picture
Type: 
Thesis
Year: 
2007
Students: 
Rana Amin Sulaiman Kharmah
AttachmentSize
optimal_management_of_groundwater_pumping_the_case_of_the_eocene_aquifer_palestine.pdf3.78 MB
Abstract: 
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.