'File 35/5 Development of Grazing Grounds (Supplies from Persia)' [‎15r] (29/118)

«
The principal source of Bahrein 1 s underground water supply
appears to be from rainfall in the Dehnna of Central Arabia, though
rainfall in the Hadhraiaaut and as far north as the Syrian Desert nay
contribute to it. The supply is therefore being replenished yearly
and though Xirdted in aaount is inea&mstibia* Since the rainfall
enters the underground strata where they outcrop in Central Arabia
i*t a high elevation, this water flows from those underground strata
In Bahrein when they are tapped by wells. The artesian belt as it
is to-day on Bahrein Island is shown, shaded in green, on the
attached saps. An increased rate of withdrawal of water by the
drilling of many new wells will reduce the strength of the artesian
flow in the areas where the wells are drilled and generally will re
duce the size of the area in which wells will flow* Ten or twelve
years ago the artesian belt was greater in area than it is to-d^.
At about that time many new wells were drilled in some areas
allowed to flew with little or no restriction. The result was that
some wells ceased to flow in these areas and the strength of flow of
the other wells was reduced. The effect is the same whether the
water flows, or is pumped from the underground strata.
The situation here is similar in mry respects to the
artificial development of water supply by impounding streams with
dams at higher elevation than the point of use of the water. For
example, a stream is dammed near its source and an artificial lake
or reservoir created. The yearly supply of water is not changed
but the supply that there is can be piped from the dam to deliver s
water flowing through these pipes over a wide area. So long as the
rate of use is no greater than the supply the reseriuir will stay
full and everyone will receive their quota of water. If raaiy new
outlets are made in tbs dam the level in the reservoir will drop and
everyone relying on the reservoir for their water will suffer.
There is ample water at Bahrein to fill the requirements of
all inhabitants if Its development and use is properly regulated.
Excessive drilling of wells, improper completion of wells, and waste
ful use of the water by individual land owners is a detriment to
other land owners and Bahrein community as a whole.
There are areas on Bahrein Island where the underground
water bearing strata outcrop 0 The height of these outcrop areas are
of course at or above the height of the water in them, otherwise the
water would flow from them* Now if water were taken from these
water bearing strata, down dip from the outcrop, and pumped to areas
higner than the outcrop, then irrigation ditches could be so arranged
that the excess water after irrigating would return to the under
ground reservoir. In this way the water from the wells would serve
a useful purpose and the only waste would be fro® evaporation.