Issues, problems and policy principles related to groundwater resources in Sudan

Away from the River Nile and its tributaries availability of groundwater resources determines settlement, distribution and socioeconomic activities of the population in Sudan. Application of hydro-geophysical methods has led to successful exploration, assessment, development, utilization and management of groundwater basins. Poor groundwater information base, degradation of water quality (pollution) development and utilization of groundwater on sustainable basis, data acquisition and monitoring, sustainability of the water supply systems and inefficiency of the water sector remain the main key issues and problems pertaining to groundwater resources in Sudan. Based on these issues and problems policy principles have been suggested and discussed with the aim of promoting sustainable assessment, development, utilization and management of groundwater resources. The objective of these policy principles is to achieve optimum long-term social and economic benefits within the context of the natural resources and the environmental base in Sudan.