Groundwater Artificial Recharge in Jordan—Case Studies and Potential Areas

In this article, managed aquifer rechargeManaged aquifer recharge (MAR) projects and high-potential areas for groundwater recharge in Jordan are presented, discussed, and assessed, and is based on the availability of recharged water, aquifersAquifers, and the potential purpose of the recharged water use. Therefore, general information about implemented recharge schemes and the high-potential areas for MAR in Jordan such as the Jordan Valley, Wadi Araba, Jafr, and Azraq areas were analyzed. The main findings of this study show five high-potential sites of MAR along the northern part of the Jordan Valley (Yarmouk River, Wadi Ziglab, Suleikhat, Wadi Shueib, and Hisban (32° 37′ 58′′ N, 35° 45′ 55′′ E to 31° 51′ 29′′ N, 35° 44′ 07″ E)), which are built of alluvial fan deposits. There are high-potential sites that are located along Wadi Araba in the southern part of the Jordan Rift Valley (30° 40′ 12′′ N, 35° 35′ 50′′ E) to (29° 40′ 24′′ N, 35° 06′ 28′′ E). In addition, Jafr Depression (30° 22′ 20′′ N, 36° 11′ 23′′ E) shows high-potential MAR sites. Furthermore, very high-potential sites exit along Sirhan Depression main side wadis (31° 00′ 41′′ N, 36° 59′ 30′′ E). Wadi Rajil northeast of Azraq (31° 54′ 24′′ N, 37° 10′ 07′′ E) presents another high-potential MAR site. Finally, South of Aqaba, the Durra area (29° 24′ 04′′ N, 35° 03′ 15′′ E) shows very high potential for MAR in the alluvial fans. However, a minimum level of studies for any artificial rechargeArtificial recharge project must be carried out before starting and executing any MAR scheme. Such studies include defining the aquiferAquifers parameters, the water quality evolution of the recharged, and the exiting groundwater and their interactions. In addition, it is of utmost importance to understand the fate of the recharged water before starting with recharge schemes. Managed aquifer rechargeManaged aquifer recharge can alleviate the impacts of climate changeClimate change by making use of unused water, and in the case of Jordan, it can alleviate the implications of depleting groundwater resources.