Groundwater management using groundwater modeling: case study on Akaki Wellfield, Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia

Groundwater Modeling is one of the main tools used in the hydrogeological sciences for the assessment of the resource potential and prediction of future impact under different circumstances/stresses. Its predictive capacity makes it the most useful tool for planning, design, implementation and management of the groundwater resources. Although it has been widely used by developed countries since the 1970’s, its importance and application was not well understood in Ethiopia until the 1990’s. Some fragmental works to solve specific problem are appearing in recent times. One of such works is the groundwater modeling work on Akaki Wellfield, which is a wellfield developed for the supply of Addis Ababa City. Groundwater model has been developed for Akaki Wellfield in year 2000 and revised in 2002. Based on the Model prediction the sustainable pumping rate from the wellfield was proposed with a continuous monitoring of the pumping rate and drawdown. The wellfield commenced pumping in 2002 within the proposed pumping rate. Monitoring of the discharge and water level evolution through time is being done by Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA). This case study is prepared to present the result of the monitoring work and the model prediction and deals with the importance of groundwater modeling for planning, design, implementation and management of groundwater resources.