THE FUTURE USE OF AQUIFERS IN WATER-RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN ARID AREAS

Major aquifers in regional basins are seen as offering expensive but v ery important fresh groundwater resources for the future under a minin g scenario. The main resources problems are identified for valley, int er-montane, or valley front areas, Renewable resources are seen as bei ng of limited significance for socio-economic development in many arid countries with the hydrogeological emphasis moving from conventional aquifer abstraction to the use of desalinated brackish and saline grou ndwaters and the utilization of aquifers to store waters from a variet y of unconventional sources.