Water Resources Management and Sustainability | Solutions for Arid Regions

The first section deals with hydrological topics, problems, and principles. In this chapter, detailed studies related to hydrological monitoring are carried out. Overland flow velocity estimation, wireless sensor networks, and application of deep learning techniques are discussed. These topics are helpful to estimate overland flow velocities using tracer techniques based on the infrared thermography and fluorescent properties of quinine which can help in the visualization of shallow flows, evaluation of high-resolution rainfall measurement, and extracting water bodies from high-resolution drones and satellite imagery using an integrated deep learning method. The chapter critically discusses the advantage of thermal tracers, utilizing the wireless sensor networks for the accurate capture of spatially varied precipitation patterns, and evaluation and quality assessment of water extraction using deep learning techniques. It highlights recommendations and limitations that should be taken into account for hydrological monitoring. Moreover, this section discusses rainfall and floods and their related attributes in arid regions, including flood mitigation and risk assessment. Flood mapping and assessment, recent trends of floods and their impacts are comprehensively discussed. The outcomes are for useful hydrologic infrastructure design under changing climate. This part also highlights the importance of applying new methodologies, considering the statements and questions asked by scientists and researchers.

The second section addresses droughts and their analysis and assessment. Drought events are great challenges faced by nature in the wake of climate change. This part will help stakeholders gather useful information and develop a deep understanding of these salient features of climate change's impacts. It deals with the various studies conducted in the field of drought and flash drought. Flash drought is a composition of various factors leading to intense drought conditions. So, limitations and recommendations to mitigate drought events are discussed in detail.

The third section discusses groundwater as an important component in the water budget in arid regions. Threats, recharges, quality, and management options of this resource are also discussed. Beginning with a perspective on the management of this resource, the papers go on to discuss rational decision making, challenges, use of information technology, integrated management, and modeling for groundwater resources management.

Section four deals with water quality. This part discusses modern techniques for water quality assessment and treatment procedures. The industrial and commercial area generates a large amount of waste which is indiscriminately disposed of. leading to several environmental issues. This section provides a detailed analysis on water quality, hydrogeochemistry, impact and benefits of treating municipal wastewater to tertiary quality, groundwater table and quality deterioration.  Recommendations for adequate planning, design, construction, and location of open dumpsites to ameliorate groundwater pollution, and the closing of trace metal boreholes to avoid possible health implications or outbreaks that are likely occurring or are expected to occur.

Section five discusses water resources management. This topic has been receiving a fair amount of attention in many arid countries of the world and more specifically in the Gulf region. This section addresses regulations for conservation, reuse, and security. The limited freshwater resources must be developed, managed, and used as efficiently as possible. Decision support systems for water resources planning, management, and water rights analyses and control have been discussed as well.

Prof. Ahmed Sefelnasr

In addition to a Ph.D. in hydrogeology, Professor Sefelnasr also possesses a BSc and MSc in geology and hydrogeology, respectively. He holds a degree in water resources management and groundwater modeling as his expertise in this field is acknowledged internationally. He is equipped with over 25 years of experience in research pertaining to groundwater systems. Prof. Sefelnasr authored numerous notable publications in the field of water resources. At Assiut University in Egypt, Prof. Sefelnasr holds the position of full professor of hydrogeology and water resources management. Presently employed as a senior researcher and expert on projects pertaining to water resources policies and management, transboundary aquifers, protection and development of groundwater resources, water cooperation and governance, artificial storage and recovery, numerical simulations, coastal aquifer, saltwater intrusion, water security, hydrology, and climate change, he is appointed in the National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, UAE. Regarding groundwater research, consulting, and advisory work, Professor Sefelnasr possesses vast international experience encompassing a vast array of academic interests and practical applications. He was engaged in professional work, research, and instruction in numerous countries and regions, primarily in Egypt, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Prof. Sefelnasr, who previously focused on coupled flow and solute transport processes, groundwater exploration, and water resources management, has developed a strong interest in groundwater resources at present. This includes groundwater governance, advocacy strategies, and sustainable management, with a particular emphasis on arid and semiarid regions.

Prof. Mohsen Sherif

Fulbrighter and Ph.D., C.Eng., D.WRE, M. ASCE, Prof. Mohsen Sherif is presently the Director of Research and Sponsored Projects at UAE University in the United Arab Emirates, where he also serves as a Professor of Water Resources. In the areas of hydrology, hydraulics, fluid mechanics, numerical simulation, climate change, water resources management, artificial recharge and management of groundwater systems, and groundwater flow and contamination, he has accumulated over thirty-five years of teaching and research experience. His work has been featured in over 150 journals, conferences, and book chapters, and he has successfully concluded several extensive initiatives. Professor Sherif was honored with several national and international distinctions, including the Sheikh Khalifa Award for Education, Higher Education/Research, First Round, in March 2008, and two Fulbright Scholarships in 1993 and 1997, respectively. Additionally, the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers bestowed upon him the Designation of Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer. Associate Editor of both the Journal of Hydrology and the Journal of Hydrologic Engineering at present.

Prof. Vijay P. Singh

Professor Vijay P. Singh, Ph.D., D.Sc., D. Eng. (Hon.), Ph.D. (Hon.), D.Sc. (Hon.), P.E., P.H., Honor. D. WRE, Dist. M. ASCE, Dist. Hon. M. IWRA, Dist. F. AGGS, Honor. Member AWRA, holds the inaugural Caroline and William N. Lehrer Distinguished Chair in Water Engineering at Texas A&M University's Department of Agricultural Biological Engineering and Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Professor Singh has received acclaim for his forty years of distinguished service, teaching, and research in the field of hydrologic and water resources engineering. In addition to hydrologic science and engineering, hydraulic engineering, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, irrigation science, soil and water conservation engineering, entropy-based modeling, copula-based modeling, and mathematical modeling, Singh has made substantial contributions to the state of the art in numerous other specialized fields. In addition to editing 85 books, he has authored 37 books, 1475 refereed journal articles, 122 book chapters, and 330 conference proceedings and papers. One hundred and ten national and international honors have been bestowed upon him by professional organizations. He has been honored with several prestigious awards from ASCE, including the Arid Land Hydraulic Engineering Award (2002), the Ven Te Chow Award (2005), the Torrens Award (2009), the Norma Medal (2010), the Royce Tipton Award (2019), the OPAL Award (2021), and the EWRI Lifetime Achievement Award (2015); the Ray K. Linsley Award, Wetzen Award, and the Founders Award, all bestowed by AIH; the Merriam Improved Irrigation Award, presented by USCID; the Chow Memorial Award, and the Crystal Drop Award Three honorary doctorates have been bestowed upon him: one each from the University of Waterloo, Canada; the University of Basilicata, Italy; and the University of Guelph, Canada. He is a member of AGU, IAHR, WASER, and AWRA, as well as fellows of ASCE, EWRI, AWRA, IE, ISAE, IWRS, IASWC, and IAH. In addition to the National Academy of Engineering, he holds fellowship status at twelve additional engineering and scientific academies.