This project aims to address groundwater depletion in Algeria’s arid regions, where water resources are critically scarce due to low annual rainfall (<200 mm). The main objectives are to monitor groundwater drawdown, map affected areas using GIS, AI, and geophysical methods, and implement sustainable management strategies. Key activities include field data collection through electrical prospecting, AI-driven data analysis, the installation of piezometers, and the development of SMART INFO-NAPPE ALGERIA, an AI-powered governance and alert system for real-time groundwater monitoring at local, regional, and national levels.

Results achieved include precise mapping of groundwater depletion zones, AI-based risk assessment of overexploited areas, and the creation of a reliable database to guide decision-making. The feasibility of artificial recharge from the Albian aquifer has also been analyzed using AI simulations.

Impact generated includes enhanced groundwater governance through SMART INFO-NAPPE ALGERIA, an AI-driven early warning system for policymakers, optimized water resource management for farmers and industries, and increased public awareness on sustainable water use. In the short term, SMART INFO-NAPPE BISKRA has been implemented, with plans to expand it nationwide under SMART INFO-NAPPE ALGERIA, ensuring long-term water sustainability.

https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/contribution-fight-against-drawdown-groundwater-algerian-arid-regions-geophysics-gis

• Algeria

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Migrants
• Refugees and internally displaced people
• Remote and rural communities
• All segments of society

This project is highly replicable in arid and semi-arid regions facing similar groundwater depletion challenges due to low rainfall, overexploitation, and lack of sustainable water management strategies. The methodology, combining GIS, AI, and geophysical techniques, can be adapted and implemented in various contexts where groundwater is the primary water source.

Where the Project is Replicable
North Africa & the Middle East – Countries like Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, where groundwater is a key resource, can benefit from SMART INFO-NAPPE ALGERIA for water governance and early warning systems.
Sub-Saharan Africa – Regions such as the Sahel (e.g., Chad, Mali, and Niger) face increasing water stress and could adopt the project’s AI-driven monitoring and mapping techniques.
South Asia – India and Pakistan, which heavily rely on groundwater for agriculture, could use this system to prevent over-extraction and manage water sustainability.
Latin America – Countries like Mexico and Chile, where aquifers are under pressure due to climate change and excessive withdrawals, could integrate the AI-powered SMART INFO-NAPPE system for better resource management.
How the Project is Replicable
Scalability: The project can be adapted to different geographic scales, from local to national levels, by integrating region-specific hydrogeological data.
Technology Transfer: The use of AI, GIS, and geophysical methods makes it easy to implement in other countries with basic infrastructure and technical expertise.
Open Data & AI Models: The AI-driven approach allows for customized models based on local conditions, making it adaptable to different environments.
Collaboration & Capacity Building: Partnering with local authorities, researchers, and water management agencies ensures smooth adoption and long-term sustainability.
This project serves as a model for smart groundwater management, helping regions worldwide combat water scarcity, optimize resource use, and ensure long-term water security.

This project is designed to ensure long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability by integrating advanced technologies, data-driven decision-making, and community engagement. Its sustainability is based on the following key aspects:

1. Environmental Sustainability
Efficient Groundwater Management: By utilizing GIS, AI, and geophysical surveys, the project helps prevent overexploitation of groundwater, ensuring its availability for future generations.
Artificial Recharge Feasibility: The study of Albian aquifer recharge explores sustainable ways to replenish depleted water tables.
Protection of Natural Resources: By preventing random drilling and excessive water extraction, the project contributes to the conservation of fragile ecosystems in arid regions.
2. Economic Sustainability
Cost-Effective Decision-Making: The implementation of AI-driven monitoring systems reduces the need for expensive and inefficient groundwater exploration methods.
Support for Agriculture & Industry: Providing accurate groundwater data helps farmers and businesses optimize water use, reducing waste and ensuring economic resilience.
Long-Term Investment in Smart Water Management
3. Social Sustainability
Empowering Local Communities: The project actively involves farmers, industrial stakeholders, researchers, and decision-makers, fostering a collaborative approach to water management.
Raising Awareness: By integrating an AI-powered alert system, local communities and policymakers receive real-time updates on groundwater conditions, promoting responsible water use.
Policy Integration & Governance: The project aligns with national and regional water resource policies, ensuring long-term governmental and institutional support.
4. Technological Sustainability
AI and GIS-Based Automation: The self-learning AI models improve over time, ensuring continuous refinement of groundwater monitoring without significant additional resources.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) promotes the use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) for sustainable development. This project aligns with WSIS values by integrating AI, GIS, and smart governance to enhance groundwater management and community resilience. 1. WSIS Action Line C7: ICT Applications – e-Environment Smart Water Management: The project leverages AI-powered SMART INFO-NAPPE ALGERIA for real-time groundwater monitoring, improving decision-making and conservation efforts. Environmental Protection: By reducing overexploitation of water resources, the project preserves fragile ecosystems in arid regions. 2. WSIS Action Line C3: Access to Information and Knowledge Open Data & AI-Driven Insights: The project promotes open access to groundwater data through GIS mapping and AI analysis, enabling better resource planning for communities. Capacity Building: Local stakeholders, researchers, and students gain technical knowledge in geoinformatics, AI, and water governance, fostering technological empowerment. 3. WSIS Action Line C4: Capacity Building Training & Awareness: Farmers, industries, and municipalities receive training on AI-driven water resource management, promoting sustainable practices. Community Involvement: Local citizens, researchers, and decision-makers collaborate to ensure responsible groundwater use. 4. WSIS Action Line C5: Building Confidence in ICTs AI-Powered Early Warning System: The SMART INFO-NAPPE ALGERIA platform enhances trust in ICT solutions by providing accurate and transparent water data. Policy & Governance Support: National and regional authorities can rely on the system for evidence 5. WSIS Action Line C6: Enabling Environment Public-Private Partnerships: The project encourages collaboration between researchers, industries, municipalities, and local communities to develop sustainable ICT-driven water solutions.