Paper Title
Modeling Aquifer Storage and Recovery in Abu Dhabi

Abstract
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has relied on groundwater as a source of fresh water for several decades, whichhas resulted in the deterioration of non-renewable groundwater aquifers.This has led to the installation of desalination plants for fresh water supply.This research aims to increase strategic water reserves in the eastern district of Abu Dhabi by analyzing the best locations for aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). The ASR technology offers an opportunity to store large volumes of water for later beneficial use. This study explores an option of using excess desalination water for ASR recharge in the eastern district Al Ain region of Abu Dhabi. A limiting factor in the application of the ASR technology is the lack of suitable sites. The detailed hydrogeological and operational knowledge of studied areas helped in defining the potential site for ASR using suitability maps and final ASR map developed based on a scoring system. Determining the best locations for managed aquifer recharge is a crucial design step. Five scenarios were studied at the Al-Khrair and Al-Shuwaibsites in the Al-Ain region.Results show that a wider distribution of injection wells with a distance of >1,200 m was more suitable to overcome the excessive head buildup. The Al-Khrair site can be recharged at 64,000 m3d−1 for seven years, while the Al-Shuwaib site can be recharged at64,000 m3d−1 for two years. Based on the additional criteria of depth to water, Al-Khrair was the best site for recharge, followed by Al-Shuwaib.