Assessment and Prediction of Urbanization Impacts on Sub-Surface Groundwater Levels and Quality in Kuwait

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In Kuwait, urbanization is taking place at a rapid pace and its impacts on the groundwater are important environmentally, economically, and socially. Previous studies and available data confirm a rise in the water table at different rates and changes in the water table behavior across Kuwait’s residential areas. The proposed project will investigate the current and future groundwater behavior up to the year 2030 in Kuwait City, its suburbs, Al-Jahra City, Al-Ahmadi City, and the new proposed residential areas. In addition, the project will propose remedial solutions to the problem through different scenarios of dewatering schemes, and establishment of a monitoring network. The first phase of the proposed methodology to accomplish the required tasks/services involves data collection, desk study, site investigation, and remote sensing to characterize the study area. The first phase results will help in formulating a conceptual model, and a preliminary numerical model, which will be utilized in further field investigations. In the second phase the collected, analyzed, and estimated hydraulic data will be used to update the conceptual model and modify the numerical model to finalize a predictive model. The predictive numerical model will be used to simulate the current and future behaviors of the aquifer systems. This will help in recommending remedial programs according to different scenarios, and options. The study is expected to develop a clear picture of the problem of the rise in water table and its current and future extent, which will help decision-makers in future planning and management.