Aquifer Storage and Water Security in Arid Regions

April 10-12 2011, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

As water scarcity issues grow worldwide, recent advances in the use of aquifers not only as a source of water but also for secure and reliable storage of drinking water have significantly changed the design and operation of water distribution systems. Aquifer storage and recovery provides both secure storage and elimination of losses due to evaporation, which is particularly severe in arid regions. 

This short course will familiarize participants to the critical aspects of aquifer storage and recovery operations, with a special focus on how active groundwater storage can be effectively used in water utilities relying upon desalination treatment. International experts in the fields of hydrogeology of arid regions, desalination, water quality and water resource management will guide participants through the theoretical and practical theoretical aspects of groundwater reservoir operation, water treatment and geochemical considerations, as well as targeting and siting of potential storage reservoirs. The course will also provide insights into new and novel desalination designs that can complement the use of aquifers as drinking water storage reservoirs.

Major Topics

• Introduction to aquifer storage and recovery
• Geochemical and Treatment Considerations
• Seawater intrusion and management of water quality
• Hydrogeologic siting analysis
• Recovery optimization and economics
• Coupling ASR with Desalination Systems
• Environmental Assessment of coupled operations
• New Advances in Desalination Options

Faculty

Professor Scott W. Tyler, University of Nevada, Reno (US) and a visiting professor at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH).

Professor Gregory W. Characklis, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (US) and is currently a visiting professor at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH).
 

• Lectures Biographies
• Course Overview

Participants

The course is mainly designed for professionals (from industry and public authorities). Academic researchers (professors, researchers, MSc and PhD students), with interests in management and distribution of water resources will also gain insights into recent advances.
 

Labs

The participants will use their own laptop computers during the exercise sessions. Software as well as data for the examples will be provided.
 

Schedule

The course will consist of a total of 9 lectures and 2 computer laboratories of 90 minutes each. Each day, class starts at 9:00 and finishes at 17:00. There are 2 periods in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. The last period of the course is dedicated to questions, answers and discussions.

All our courses generally take place at the EPFL Middle East facilities in Ras Al Khaimah.
   

• Location map

We can also deliver any of courses at your company; please kindly contact the course manager for more information.

Application Form

Click here  to register online or download the Registration Form .

Please send your completed registration to:

Professor Matthias Finger

Director of EPFL Middle East Executive Education

& Head of EPFL’s Chair of Management of Network Industries
 

By email: matthias.finger@epfl.ch

By Phone:  UAE  +971 7 206 9604 Switzerland +41 21 6930001

By Fax: +971 7 243 4365

By Mail: EPFL Middle East, P O Box 35249 Ras Al Khaimah UAE