Protection of groundwater supply for sustainable domestic use in Al-Maabdah, Assiut, Egypt

All over the world, for human health, groundwater and drinking water protection are considered the major issues. Therefore, the research objective is the groundwater protection for a sustainable domestic water supply in Al-Maabdah, Assiut, Egypt. Moreover, to determine the impact of the surrounding activities on the groundwater quality. The Quaternary aquifer in the-region consists of fine graduated sand and gravel. Water quality assessment indicated that most concentration lower than the allowable drinking water limits. A numerical model was prepared and calibrated using visual MODFLOW software-based on geological and hydrological conditions of the study area. Based on the model results, the predicted decline in groundwater levels reached 1.4 m after ten years, which means that the aquifer has high potential and can depend on it as a sustainable water supply. Solute transport model (MT3DMS) used to simulate nitrate as domestic and agricultural pollutant, results indicated that the predicted concentrations less than permissible drinking water (50 mg/l). In addition, particle tracking (MODPATH) simulated transport direction within the flow field from the nearby sources. MODPATH result-indicated that the pollutants transported from potential sources close to the drinking plant will not reach the pumping zone around the well screen within the next ten years. The existence of the upper clay layer and surface water canals, has-positive effects on reducing groundwater deterioration. Well protection zone determined through the mathematical model-calculations is about 31m. Thus, there is no danger from pollutants transported to the drinking plant well. Therefore, the drinking plant established in a natural, safe protection zone.