Challenges Facing Groundwater Management in Sudan

Abstract

Sudan has great potential of renewable and non-renewable groundwater resources which are important
sources of water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. It is a key element for human settlement and
sustained socioeconomic activities. Demand for groundwater in many areas of the Sudan has recently increased
considerably in order to meet the needs for the implementation of agricultural and economic development plans
but regrettably, these development are taking place in a rather unplanned manner leading to many problems such
as overexploitation, reduction of reliable yield, and deterioration of quality .This emphasizes the need for sound
polices and optimum plans for groundwater resources management in order to ensure its long term sustainability.
However, Groundwater management in Sudan is faced with many challenges. The most obvious of these
challenges is the absence of quantitative and qualitative monitoring and scarcity of information on aquifers
geometry and their hydro geological characteristics. Another major difficulty is related to the understanding of
flow dynamics and recharge sources and mechanisms for the different aquifers. This makes the estimation of
recharge volumes an extremely difficult task. Correct estimation of groundwater recharge and aquifer storage are
two of the most important requirements for long term management of any groundwater system. Fractured aquifers
in Sudan cover very large areas and provide an important source of water particularly in rural areas. A major
problem encountered in the management of fractured aquifers is the limited understanding of their hydrogeology
and flow dynamics. The fractures characteristics could be extremely complex making it very difficult to locate
areas of productive boreholes with sustainable groundwater yield. Vulnerability and risk of contamination of these
aquifers are also very high. Other key challenges facing groundwater management in Sudan are the management
of shared non-renewable aquifer resources, lack of comprehensive guiding plans and policies, poor governance
and legislative framework, inadequate capacity, and lack of coordination among groundwater sub sectors.The
purpose of this paper is to discuss these challenges in some details and suggest directions for overcoming them.
The paper also includes a case study on the use of advanced methodologies for groundwater management and
protection in Sudan.