Monitoring and Assessing the Hydrocarbon Pollution of Fresh Groundwater Resources in Kuwait

Monitoring water quality since 1995 has confirmed that the freshwater accumulation of the Umm Al-Aish area and in the southeastern parts of the Raudhatain field in Kuwait have been affected by hydrocarbon pollutants and salts derived from the crude oil products that were spewed from damaged oil wells by the Iraqi army during the 1991 Gulf War. Since the affected groundwater is recognized as a strategic reserve of potable water for Kuwait, the restoration of its health is a priority for the country. Understanding the importance of investigating the magnitude of natural attenuation of the contaminants that is taking place in situ, this project was initiated by the WRDM Program to develop a plan to remediate the groundwater to potable use within a reasonable time period and at a reasonable cost.