Author(s): Syrine Ghannem; Rafael J. Bergillos; Anis Chekirbane; Khaoula Khemiri; Javier Paredes-Arquiola; Abel Solera; Joaquin Andreu

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Abstract: Some of the world’s most water-scarce regions are the Mediterranean areas, which include the Chiba River basin in northwest Tunisia. The Chiba River basin is currently facing severe water shortage, because of overexploitation of aquifers and growing demand from agricultural sector. To address this challenge, this study examines the potential of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strategies using the AQUATOOL Decision Support System. Four scenarios were modeled to assess MAR impacts, including a baseline scenario with no MAR and scenarios incorporating recharge via treated wastewater and direct aquifer recharge using water from the Chiba reservoir. Results indicate that MAR using treated wastewater enhances aquifer recharge by 12% providing a sustainable water source. However, prioritizing recharge from the reservoir leads to a significant water deficit for agriculture, highlighting the need for balanced water allocation strategies. Using excess reservoir water for MAR reduces aquifer overexploitation while meeting agricultural demands, although its feasibility is limited by the low availability of surplus water. This analysis shows that water management models are potentially useful for strategic MAR optimization and water security in water-stressed areas such as the Mediterranean.

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Year: 2024