Abstract
The Nile Delta of Egypt is known for its large irrigated area supplied with water diverted from the Nile River, with a limited use of groundwater, largely for domestic and industrial use. Official statistics for the whole delta indicate that there are a few thousand individual wells used for agriculture by a population of over 2 million farmers. This study, however, shows that a phenomenon of groundwater development for irrigation has been unfolding over the last few years, largely below the radar of managers and researchers. A survey was carried out in the central part of the delta with the objective of (1) uncovering the actual situation of groundwater use in this part of the delta and (2) speculating on its implications. The results of the survey pointed to a recent and booming tube-well drilling industry, with well densities in some parts reaching one well every 2 ha. The development of groundwater abstraction in the central delta is strongly linked to inadequate and/or untimely availability of surface water in the canals. A technical, economic, and management characterization of wells complements the study, showing a continuum between purely private/individual ownership of wells and collective investments and management. Lastly, the article explores the implications of unchecked abstraction at the farm, local and delta scales.
Résumé
Le Delta du Nil en Egypte est connu pour sa grande zone irriguée alimentée par l’eau détournée du fleuve Nil, avec une utilisation limitée d’eaux souterraines, en grande partie pour les usages domestiques et industriels. Les statistiques officielles sur l’ensemble du delta indiquent qu’il existe quelques milliers de puits individuels utilisés pour l’agriculture par une population de plus de 2 millions d’agriculteurs. Cette étude montre cependant qu’un phénomène de développement des eaux souterraines pour l’irrigation a pris place au cours des dernières années, un phénomène largement inaperçu par les gestionnaires et les scientifiques. Une enquête a été réalisée dans la partie centrale du delta dans le but (1) de découvrir la situation réelle de l’utilisation des eaux souterraines dans cette partie du delta et (2) de spéculer sur ses implications. Les résultats de l’enquête mettent en évidence une industrie récente en plein boom concernant les forages et la fourniture de tubes de forage, avec des densités de puits dans certaines parties pouvant atteindre un puits tous les 2 ha. Le développement de l’exploitation des eaux souterraines dans la partie centrale du delta est fortement lié à la disponibilité insuffisante et/ou inopportune des eaux de surface dans les canaux. Une caractérisation technique, économique, et de la gestion des puits complète l’étude, montrant une continuité entre la propriété purement privée/ individuelle des puits et les investissements collectifs et la gestion. Enfin, l’article explore les implications de l’exploitation non contrôlée à l’échelle de la ferme, locale et à l’échelle du delta.
Resumen
El Delta del Nilo de Egipto es conocido por su gran área de regadío abastecido con agua desviada del río Nilo, con un uso limitado de las aguas subterráneas, en gran medida utilizada para uso doméstico e industrial. Las estadísticas oficiales de todo el delta indican que hay unos pocos miles de pozos individuales utilizados para la agricultura por una población de más de 2 millones de agricultores. Este estudio, sin embargo, muestra que el fenómeno de desarrollo de agua subterránea para el riego se ha venido desarrollando en los últimos años, muy por debajo del radar de los gerentes e investigadores. Se realizó un estudio en la parte central del delta con el objetivo de: (1) conocer la situación actual del uso del agua subterránea en esta parte del delta y (2) evaluar sobre sus implicancias. Los resultados de la encuesta apuntaban a una reciente y en auge de la industria de perforación de pozos tubulares, con densidades de pozos en algunas partes que alcanzan un pozo cada 2 ha. El desarrollo de la captación de agua subterránea en el delta central está fuertemente ligado a la inadecuada y/o inoportuna disponibilidad de agua superficial en los canales. Una caracterización técnica, económica y administrativa de los pozos complementa el estudio, mostrando un continuo entre la propiedad puramente privada/individual de los pozos y las inversiones colectivas y la gestión. Por último, el artículo explora las implicancias de la extracción sin control en las escalas de la finca, local y del delta.
摘要
众所周知,埃及尼罗河三角洲很大的灌溉区供水靠从尼罗河引水,地下水利用有限,其中主要用于家庭和工业。整个三角洲的官方统计数字表明,2百万多农民拥有几万口个人的井用于农业。然而,本研究显示,用于灌溉的地下水开发在过去几年主要在管理者和研究人员的雷达之下得以展现。在三角洲中部进行了调查,目标就是:(1)展现三角洲本地区地下水利用的实际情况;(2)分析其本质。调查的结果指出,造成这种状况的原因就是近年来管井钻探业的蓬勃发展以及一些地区的井密度,已经达到每两公顷一口井。三角洲中部地区的地下水开采的发展与河渠地表水不足及/或不合时宜的可用性紧密相连。从技术上、经济上及管理上对井进行特征描述是研究的补充,显示了纯私有/个人拥有井和集体投资和管理之间的连续统一体。最后,本文探索了农场、局部和三角洲尺度上未经核对的抽水的意义及影响。
Resumo
O Delta do Nilo é conhecido por sua extensa área irrigada abastecida com águas desviadas do Rio Nilo, com um uso limitado de águas subterrâneas, na maioria para usos domésticos e industriais. Estatísticas oficiais para o delta todo indicam que existem alguns milhares de poços individuais usados para agricultura por uma população de mais de 2 milhões de agricultores. Este estudo, entretanto, mostra que um fenômeno de desenvolvimento das águas subterrâneas para irrigação tem sido manifestado ao longo das últimas décadas, majoritariamente abaixo do radar dos gestores e pesquisadores. Um levantamento foi conduzido na parte central do delta com o objetivo de (1) descobrir a situação atual do uso das águas subterrâneas nessa parte do delta e (2) refletir sobre suas implicações. OS resultados do levantamento apontaram que para uma indústria de perfuração de poços tubulares em expansão, com densidades de poços em algumas partes atingindo um poço a cada 2 ha. O desenvolvimento da captação de águas subterrâneas no delta central está fortemente ligado à disponibilidade inadequada e/ou fora de época de água superficial nos canais. A caracterização técnica, econômica e de gestão de poços complementa o estudo, mostrando um continuum entre propriedade puramente privada/individual de poços e investimentos coletivos e de gestão. Por fim, o artigo explora as implicações da abstração não controlada nas escalas de fazenda, local e do delta.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the National Water Research Centre (NWRC) and notably the Water Management Research Institute (WMRI) and its technical staff in Kafr El-Sheikh for their collaboration in the survey. Support from the CGIAR’s Research Program on Dryland Systems also made this research possible.
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This article is part of the topical collection “Groundwater-based agriculture in the Mediterranean”
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El-Agha, D.E., Closas, A. & Molle, F. Below the radar: the boom of groundwater use in the central part of the Nile Delta in Egypt. Hydrogeol J 25, 1621–1631 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1570-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1570-8