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
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
Boundar
y

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

Sanaa Water Crisis

Potential of 2 million water refugees

Sustainable Solutions
Reduce consumption
Agricultural policies and practices
Municipal management

Increase supply
Desalination and wastewater reuse
Develop renewable resources
Piping projects

Source: Saudiembassy.net

Decrease effected population

Relocation to areas with better resources

All these measures benefit from cooperation

between states

International Cooperation
Stakeholder Meetings
Arab Water Council
United Nations

UN-ESCWA (Economic and Social Commission of Wester Asia)

UN-ISARM (International Shared Aquifer Resources Management Programme)
UN-IGRAC (International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre)

Information Sharing, (e.g. Stakeholder Reports, Global Groundwater

Information System, Global Groundwater Monitoring Network,
whymap.org, Aquastat, GRACE, World Water Online)
The Law of Transboundary Aquifer Systems Articles Drafted - UN General
Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/124 (2008)
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

MAW (Ministry of Agriculture and Water) (1984). Water Atlas of Saudi Arabia. MAW, Riyadh.

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

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

UNESCO-IHP (2009). Atlas of Transboundary Aquifers SC-2009/WS/22

http://www.isarm.org/publications/324

Foster, S. and Loucks, D.P. (eds.). (2006). Non-renewable groundwater resources: A

guidebook on socially-sustainable management for water-policy makers. IHP-VI, Series on
Groundwater No. 10. UNESCO, Paris. http://
unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001469/146997e.pdf

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

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)