Mining of Transboundary Aquifers
in the Saudi Arabian Peninsula
Arthur Ryzak
University of Texas at Austin
Spring-2012
Outline
• Objective
– Describe the current status of groundwater mining in the
Saudi Arabian Peninsula, as well as the measures being
taken to minimize future conflict and harm.
• Topics
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Transboundary Aquifer Systems
Regional Challenges
Sustainable Solutions
International Cooperation
Conclusions
Readings
Questions for Discussion
Source: flickriver.com
Transboundary Aquifer Systems
• Aquifer - A permeable water bearing geological
formation underlain by a less permeable layer and the
water contained in the saturated zone of the formation
• Transboundary aquifer” or “transboundary aquifer
system” means, respectively, an aquifer or aquifer
system, parts of which are situated in different States
• Groundwater Mining - Extraction of groundwater from
an aquifer having predominantly non-renewable
resources with depletion of aquifer reserves
Source: UN (2009)
Transboundary Aquifer Systems
National
Boundary
Source: UNESCO-IHP (2006)
Transboundary Aquifer Systems
Source: UNESCO-IHP (2009)
Transboundary Aquifer Systems
RelativeWater Withdrawal
Yemen = 176 m^3/c/yr
S.A. = 979 m^3/c/yr
Source: MAW (1984)
Regional Challenges
RelativeWater Withdrawal
Yemen = 176 m^3/c/yr
S.A. = 979 m^3/c/yr
Source: gapminder.org (2012)
Regional Challenges
Very Little Groundwater Recharge
Regional Challenges
Very Little Precipitation
Regional Challenges
Very Little Overland Flow
Regional Challenges
50 Miles Southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Regional Challenges
Water Usage and Demand in the Arabian Peninsula
Regional Challenges
• Groundwater mining is unsustainable
– Renewable supply does not meet current
consumption demands
– Population doubling time = 20yrs
• Groundwater mining has been considered
necessary
– Agricultural self-sufficiency and food security
– Renewable sources inadequate for agriculture
• Sana’a Water Crisis
– Potential of 2 million “water refugees”
Sustainable Solutions
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Reduce consumption
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Increase supply
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Desalination and wastewater reuse
Develop renewable resources
Piping projects
Source: Saudiembassy.net
Decrease effected population
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Agricultural policies and practices
Municipal management
Relocation to areas with better resources
All these measures benefit from cooperation between
states
International Cooperation
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Stakeholder Meetings
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Arab Water Council
United Nations
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UN-ESCWA (Economic and Social Commission of Wester Asia)
UN-ISARM (International Shared Aquifer Resources Management Programme)
UN-IGRAC (International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre)
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Information Sharing, (e.g. Stakeholder Reports, Global Groundwater Information
System, Global Groundwater Monitoring Network, whymap.org, Aquastat,
GRACE, World Water Online)
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The Law of Transboundary Aquifer Systems Articles Drafted - UN General
Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/124 (2008)
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Agreements Developed, (Genovese aquifer, Guarani Aquifer, Nubian Sandstone
Aquifer System, North Western Sahara Aquifer System)
International Cooperation
The Law of Transboundary Aquifer Systems
• Draft Articles - UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/124 (2008)
– Each state has sovereignty over its portion of the aquifer system, according to
the articles and international law
– Equitable and reasonable utilization
– Obligation not to cause significant harm
– Regular exchange of data and information
– Aquifer states encouraged to enter into bilateral or regional agreements
amongst themselves
– Protection, preservation, and management
– Technical cooperation with developing states
– Protected by the rules and principles of international law during times of
armed conflict
– No provision on dispute resolution (but see Guarani Agreement)
• To be included as agenda item in 2012, with consideration of final form of
the articles A/RES/66/104 (2011)
Conclusions
• Stakeholders recognizing the need for
cooperation
• Major obstacles to adopting and implementing
regional and basin-level agreements:
– Direct result of the situation at the national level
where in most cases the national institutions in
charge of water resources lack a clear mandate,
which leads to overlaps and gaps
– The lack of local/basin institutions
– Unfavorable political environment
Source: UN-ESCWA (2009)
Readings
•
Abdulrazzak, Mohamed (1997). Freshwater Resources in Arid Lands “The future of freshwater resources in the
Arabian peninsula”. UNU Global Environmental Forum V Report.
http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu02fe/uu02fe06.htm
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MAW (Ministry of Agriculture and Water) (1984). Water Atlas of Saudi Arabia. MAW, Riyadh.
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UN (2009). General Assembly A/RES/63/124, “The law of Transboundary Aquifers”
http://www.isarm.org/dynamics/modules/SFIL0100/view.php?fil_Id=227
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UN-ESCWA(2009). Expert Group Meeting on Applying IWRM Principles in Managing Shared Water Resources:
Towards a Regional Vision. Beirut, 1-3 December 2009 E/ESCWA/SDPD/2009/WG.5/1/Report
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UNESCO-IHP (2009). “Atlas of Transboundary Aquifers” SC-2009/WS/22 http://www.isarm.org/publications/324
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Foster, S. and Loucks, D.P. (eds.). (2006). Non-renewable groundwater resources: A guidebook on sociallysustainable management for water-policy makers. IHP-VI, Series on Groundwater No. 10. UNESCO, Paris.
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001469/146997e.pdf
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Arab Water Council (2004). State of the Water Report in the Arab Region.
http://www.arabwatercouncil.org/index.php?CMS_P=203
WEBSITES
– ISARM Programme website <http://www.isarm.net>.
– http://www.gapminder.org/world
– http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/main/index.stm
– http://www.un-igrac.org/publications/119
– http://www.whymap.org/whymap/EN/Home/whymap_node.htm
– http://www.inweb.gr
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Questions for Discussion
What does this mean to you?
Into the well from which you drink, do not throw stones
Photo Credit: “Ground Water Mining For Wheat To Be Phased Out In Saudi Arabia” treehugger.com
Questions for Discussion
• What opportunities are there for cooperation between states to
address the water resources challenges of the region?
• In what ways are the draft articles of “The Law of Transboundary
Aquifers” relevant to the groundwater mining situation of the region?
• How can the obstacles to implementing agreements be overcome?
Raoof Al Attar- Iraq, Second Arab Water Forum (2011)