Aquifer
Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System (Centre)
Peter Dude
12 June 2026
EMV-electronics GmbH
The Arabian Peninsula experiences arid and semi-arid climatic conditions with low precipitation and high evaporation rates. Therefore the groundwater resources play a crucial role in the daily life.
Umm Er Radhuma-Dammam aquifer system (centre) is located in the eastern part of the Gulf and has soils of karstic limestones. With an area of over 281,000 square kilometres the central section of this water system extends over a 400 km-wide and stretches over Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and a small part of United Arab Emirates. The stored groundwater is mainly from a fossil time where this region had more humid conditions. Due to increasing consumption rates over last decades the groundwater reserves are depleting and the salinity is increasing. Irrigation for agriculture is likely a main contributor for the groundwater depletion.
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Arabian Aquifer System has a depletion rate of 9 mm per year according to latest hydrogeological data and belongs with such a delince to the most overstressed aquifers worldwide.
In the absence of permanent surface water resources, most regions in the Gulf depend on groundwater for all its agricultural and rural water supplies. Desalination plants can reduce this problem, but cannot eliminate it.