Abstract Sudan has great potential of renewable and non-renewable groundwater resources which are important sources of water supply for domestic industrial and agricultural uses It is a key element for human settlement and sustained socioeconomic activities Demand for groundwater in many areas of the Sudan has recently increased considerably in order to meet the needs for the implementation of agricultural and economic development plans but regrettably these development are taking place in a rather unplanned manner leading to many problems such as overexploitation reduction of reliable yield and deterioration of quality This emphasizes the need for sound polices and optimum
Abstract: Sudan has great potential of renewable and non-renewable groundwater resources
which are important sources of water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. It is a key
element for human settlement and sustained socioeconomic activities. Demand for groundwater in
many areas of the Sudan has recently increased considerably in order to meet the needs for the
implementation of agricultural and economic development plans but regrettably, these
development are taking place in a rather unplanned manner leading to many problems such as
overexploitation, reduction of reliable yield, and deterioration of quality .This emphasizes the need
for sound polices and optimum plans for groundwater resources management in order to ensure its
long term sustainability. However, Groundwater management in Sudan is faced with many
challenges. The most obvious of these challenges is the absence of quantitative and qualitative
monitoring and scarcity of information on aquifers geometry and their hydro geological
characteristics. Another major difficulty is related to the understanding of flow dynamics and
recharge sources and mechanisms for the different aquifers. This makes the estimation of recharge
volumes an extremely difficult task. Correct estimation of groundwater recharge and aquifer storage
are two of the most important requirements for long term management of any groundwater system.
Fractured aquifers in Sudan cover very large areas and provide an important source of water
particularly in rural areas. A major problem encountered in the management of fractured aquifers is
the limited understanding of their hydrogeology and flow dynamics. The fractures characteristics
could be extremely complex making it very difficult to locate areas of productive boreholes with
sustainable groundwater yield. Vulnerability and risk of contamination of these aquifers are also
very high. Other key challenges facing groundwater management in Sudan are the management of
shared non-renewable aquifer resources, lack of comprehensive guiding plans and policies, poor
governance and legislative framework, inadequate capacity, and lack of coordination among
groundwater sub sectors. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these challenges in some details
and suggest directions for overcoming them. The paper also includes a case study on the use of
advanced methodologies for groundwater management and protection in Sudan.
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