Optimizing Groundwater Distribution for Sustainable Management in Syria: A Mathematical Modeling Approach

This study investigates the impact of significant economic growth in the Syrian coastal region, which has led to a heightened demand for water resources. The research underscores the critical need for effective water resources management in the face of existing water challenges. Aiming to support informed decision-making, the study focuses on optimizing the use of available water resources to balance human needs with environmental preservation. To achieve this, a mathematical model of groundwater flow was developed. Over a year, the study conducted monthly field measurements in 42 monitoring wells in Quaternary deposits. These measurements included static water levels, electrical conductivity, and the precise coordinates of water points. Additionally, water samples were taken every six months from selected wells for comprehensive physical and chemical analysis. The data collected created three scenarios predicting changes in groundwater levels and identifying optimal strategies for utilizing water resources to meet agricultural, tourism, and drinking water needs while preventing aquifer overexploitation. The results revealed groundwater flows from east to west, sustaining Al-Ross River year-round and discharging into the sea through outcrop sections on the seabed. Drilling wells in high-permeability areas at a rate of 100 m3 per day per well for agricultural purposes is projected to lower water levels by 0.5 m at the pumping center. However, this decline does not jeopardize the sustainability of the aquifer and contributes to improved water resource management, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture.