ASSESSING WATER SUPPLY-DEMAND IMBALANCE IN EL BAYADH USING GIS
Salih Lachache, Bendalhoum Mohammed Sofiane, Bendjillali Ridha Ilyas, Ali Abderrazak Tadjeddine
LSETER Laboratory, Technology Institute, Nour Bachir University Center, El-Bayadh, Algeria.
Abstract: El-Bayadh region, situated in southwestern Algeria, is marked by a semi-arid climate with scarce and irregular precipitation, making groundwater the primary source to satisfy growing water demands. Rapid economic development and population growth have further intensified the pressure on these limited resources, creating a significant deficit. This study seeks to evaluate the current status of water resources in the region, project future requirements, and anticipate the main challenges for sustainable water management. To achieve this, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were employed to develop thematic and spatial databases, facilitating the assessment of both surface and groundwater resources. Furthermore, the hydrochemical properties of key aquifers—namely the Albian, Infra-Cretaceous, Bajo-Bathonian, and Continental Intercalary systems—were examined through Piper diagram analyses. The findings underscore the urgent necessity of adopting integrated water resource management strategies that combine conservation measures with the mobilization of non-conventional resources to secure water availability in El Bayadh.
Keywords: El Bayadh, Water Resources, Water Balance, GIS, Hydrochemistry, Semi-Arid Region
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 10 2025: 1 – 10