ABSTRACT

A large proportion of the world’s population (about 70%) dwells in coastal zones, many of which are so heavily urbanized that their need of freshwater for domestic, agricultural, and industrial supply is acute and increasing, whereas available water resources are scanty.

In many parts of the world, where alternative water resources are missing, the lack of good coastal water resources management schemes, as well as mismanagement, has led to groundwater overexploitation. Thus, groundwater resources tend to be insufficient to meet increasing water demand.