Evaluation of the Nubian sandstone aquifer system (NSAS) in Al Kufra Oasis, Southeast Libya

Groundwater resources, developed in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS), in Al Kufra Oasis in Libya are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to increasing pressures to meet the demand of economic development. These activities are represented mainly by agriculture activities in addition to the inefficient water use by other consuming sectors. Their misuse and violations are a result of the country's political instability, in addition to the lack of effective legislation, policies, strategies, and law enforcement instruments in current Libyan water management practices. This research investigates, examines and brings to the fore the groundwater conditions in Al Kufra oasis in terms of water quantity and quality, and evaluates the current management practices of water resources. Evaluation of groundwater resources in terms of quantity is made by analyzing depth to water level in 26 monitoring wells for the period from 2005 to 2015, which showed average drawdown value of about 5.54 m during 10 years in the urban area and the agriculture projects areas. In terms of water quality, water samples were collected from 16 water wells, and chemical analysis was conducted for the determination of concentration of major anions and cations. The result showed increase in the value of total dissolved solids in the urban area and the agriculture project areas, which can be interpreted as the result of the increase in the amount of water extraction or the contamination by urban activities. Groundwater classification by Piper diagram and Wilcox diagram indicated that water is still suitable for agricultural purposes. Evaluation of the water resources management practices was undertaken through a survey examining the efficacy of water institutions relative to institutional framework, functions, activities, and their influence in the current management. The results indicate that current inadequacy of water management is due to many reasons, including centralized planning and financing, limited financial resources, overlap of water institutions, lack of stakeholders' participation, lack of coordination, and organizational instability. It is clear that the current water challenge is a managerial rather than a technical one. A comprehensive reform of the water sector is needed, based on the following recommended set of actions: institutional integration and engagement of stakeholders; evaluation of the current status of the NSAS beneath the main oases in terms of groundwater quality and quantity assessment of the environmental impacts of different water uses on NSAS; and, assessment of socioeconomic conditions for the oases, and their direct and indirect relationship to the ecosystem.