Terms of Reference For SADA/SAP International Consultant Formulation of an Action Programme for the Integrated Management of the Shared Nubian Aquifer (IAEA UNDP/GEF – Medium Sized Project) Background The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) is one of the largest aquifers in the world covering approximately two million square kilometres of Northeast Africa in Chad, Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. The NSAS is the world’s largest fossil aquifer system with its reserves estimated at 375,000 km3. In the arid desert areas of those countries that share the aquifer, groundwater is a primary source of water for human populations and the indigenous ecosystems. With growing population pressures, and decreasing water available from other sources, there is increasing pressure to enhance the abstraction of this tremendously valuable resource that, under current climatic conditions and based on current knowledge, appears to be only marginally rechargeable. This increased pressure to use these shared groundwater resources, despite unclear knowledge of the transboundary impacts, represents a potential threat to a precious resource that if unchecked, could lead to deterioration of water quality and/or irrational water use with the potential to harm biodiversity, enhance land degradation processes or even lead to transboundary conflict. The NSAS region is characterised by water shortages amidst growing human populations. Destruction of ecosystems is leading to increased desertification and loss of habitat. One challenge in developing an adequate management strategy is the continued lack of sufficient knowledge about the aquifer needed to develop a rational use of the aquifer resources that can benefit the four countries. Further issues include poor management of water currently being exploited from the NSAS including loss of springs due to poor allocation of wells, change in the natural environment including species and habitats, poor understanding of local legislation and water rights, inadequate understanding of interactions between horizons, and impacts of development on the local and regional sustainability of groundwater. In general, there is a lack of a proper database and capacity to synthesize available information as a basis for determining and undertaking future investigations and developing strategies. The GEF has provided funds for the NSAS MSP which is currently implemented by UNDP and executed by the IAEA. The Long-term Goal of the NSAS project is to establish a rational and equitable management of the NSAS for sustainable socio-economic development and the protection of biodiversity and land resources. To achieve this goal, the Immediate Objectives of this MSP project are as follows: i.
Prepare and agree on a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Analysis (SADA) to jointly identify, understand and reach agreement on the priority issues, threats and root causes of the NSAS; ii. Address and fill key methodological, data and capacity gaps needed for strategic planning decisions, using appropriate technical approaches with a focus on isotope techniques and applications under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);