Abstract
The overarching objective of this research is to contribute to sustainable groundwater management in Pakistan. Water is of critical importance to the economy of Pakistan and to many of the country’s 250 million people. A rise in groundwater use has occurred against a backdrop of climate change, dwindling surface water, and human population growth, but is not fully incorporated in the institutional arrangements of Pakistan. The focus of groundwater management is usually seeking technical solutions, mainly related to its use (demand side). There is some potential for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) to contribute to supply-side management as well. MAR is complex and requires consideration of social and institutional aspects to be effective. This research uses a case study of an existing MAR project being carried out by the Punjab Irrigation Department (PID) in the Old Mailsi Canal (OMC) to consider if MAR can contribute to the larger goal of sustainable groundwater management in Pakistan. I undertook multidisciplinary research including developing and interrogating a groundwater model (MODFLOW) to estimate the water balance components and future response of the aquifers to different scenarios up to 2035 including with and without MAR situations. I conducted a quality assessment of source water (river/flood) and ambient water (aquifer) to evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation uses based on physiochemical parameters and heavy metals. Other physical parameters I evaluated include the aquifer storage potential, water availability for MAR, subsurface lithology/soil profile, sediment concentration in source water, and soil chemistry. Field surveys, investigations and sampling have been carried out for ground-truthing of data observations and performance geohydrological tests. I undertook institutional analysis by carrying out a desktop-review of major policy documents and interviewing 31 water experts especially in groundwater from different levels, sectors, and categories. Based on these various studies, I developed an index for overall feasibility of a MAR project “Managed Aquifer Recharge Feasibility Index (MARFI)”
My studies indicate that the groundwater in the study region is not fit for drinking but is generally suitable for irrigation. I also found that MAR case study project is physically feasible based on lithology, hydrogeology, sediment, and storage potential. The results of modelling showed that MAR can contribute to the replenishment of the aquifer. There is potential for MAR at case study site to contribute significantly to groundwater management.
xxviii
MARFI has also been applied to the case study, which indicated overall feasibility at the site. However, some institutional change is needed for MAR to help address Pakistan’s water security issues. This change needs to include more holistic and integrated groundwater governance, increased co-ordination among multiple stakeholders and increase awareness about groundwater.
This study is unique in the sense that i) it evaluates a MAR project in a country where MAR has not developed yet; ii) the MAR project evaluated is the first of its nature in this region; iii) MODFLOW has been used for evaluation of a MAR project first time in Pakistan; iv) a new index called MARFI has been introduced; and v) a unique example of considering technical solutions along with the institutional framework in the same study. The developed methodology and tools can be used for evaluation of MAR projects at other locations in Pakistan, before making heavy investments. The developed and calibrated model, MARFI, and institutional mapping provide guidelines to the decision-makers in the region as well as the global community.
My studies indicate that the groundwater in the study region is not fit for drinking but is generally suitable for irrigation. I also found that MAR case study project is physically feasible based on lithology, hydrogeology, sediment, and storage potential. The results of modelling showed that MAR can contribute to the replenishment of the aquifer. There is potential for MAR at case study site to contribute significantly to groundwater management.
xxviii
MARFI has also been applied to the case study, which indicated overall feasibility at the site. However, some institutional change is needed for MAR to help address Pakistan’s water security issues. This change needs to include more holistic and integrated groundwater governance, increased co-ordination among multiple stakeholders and increase awareness about groundwater.
This study is unique in the sense that i) it evaluates a MAR project in a country where MAR has not developed yet; ii) the MAR project evaluated is the first of its nature in this region; iii) MODFLOW has been used for evaluation of a MAR project first time in Pakistan; iv) a new index called MARFI has been introduced; and v) a unique example of considering technical solutions along with the institutional framework in the same study. The developed methodology and tools can be used for evaluation of MAR projects at other locations in Pakistan, before making heavy investments. The developed and calibrated model, MARFI, and institutional mapping provide guidelines to the decision-makers in the region as well as the global community.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
Awarding Institution |
|
Supervisors/Advisors |
|
Place of Publication | Australia |
Publisher | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2023 |