Summary for Groundwater
Introduction
The hot prevailing climate of the Jeddah Governorate is making the groundwater resources scarce. The mineralogy of the area has an effect on the chemistry of the groundwater in the area. This has resulted to high levels of salinity and total dissolved solids concentration.
The increase in population and an increase in demand for water have resulted in the exploitation of groundwater resources. In the Jeddah region, there is heavy exploitation of groundwater. Because of the hot climate, the groundwater resources are scarce. Putting measures in place will aid in reducing exploitation of the ground water resources and improve quality.
Data used was obtained from several sources. These include cost of environmental degradation (COED), the state of environment report (SOE), the map book and information system and the stand-alone report and analysis report (DAA) on surface water.
Human activities in the surrounding areas of the city of Jeddah contribute to pollution of groundwater as it moves to the coast. The construction of the Al Haramain Express has become an impediment to the flow of ground water, which has resulted to rising ground water tables. Further, because of the concrete structures, there is an increase in the sulphate and chloride levels in the groundwater.
Rising levels of groundwater contribute to reducing the design life of infrastructures made of concrete and steel. The limited groundwater resources make expose the Jeddah groundwater resources to pollution and overexploitation. Stagnant water ponds are a health risk as they provide a breeding ground to mosquitoes.
Over-exploitation and pollution contribute in the reduction of groundwater quality in Jeddah region. This necessitates the need to set up measures such as monitoring networks that may assist in improving the groundwater quality. Further, it is important to have groundwater storages and drainage systems to help preserve the quality. This will require ensuring that grown water resources are addressed as a high priority in the water cycle management for the Jeddah region.
