Low Cost Artificial Recreational Coastal Lagoon Hydrographic, and Design

Guidelines in Development Resorts

Rasha El Goharya,b
a Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring, National Water Research Center, NWRC, MWRI, Egypt.
b El-Gezera Higher Institute for Engineering & Technology, Ministry of Higher Education, Egypt; Email:

[email protected],[email protected]

There is an urgent need to study the construction of a huge constructed lakes to ensure a
source of attraction for the interior coastal lands and the development of tourism activity.
The study area is located in the middle of the Sinai desert. The huge lagoon with an area
of 12.5 million square meters is a part of the tourism development project. A total of 12
crystal lagoons, which will be part of 1 million square meters of crystal water in the middle
of the desert, using salt water from deep wells, which have no alternative use at the present
time.
This low cost recreational lagoon will use an energy-efficient ultrasound filtration, thus the
lagoons will use fewer chemicals and less energy required by traditional pools. The water
used on lagoons is of the highest purity, being suitable even for human consumption. The
salty water used in the lagoon features higher levels of purity and will be used for reverse
osmosis desalination processes that will lowering the cost of water desalination process.
The objective of the research is to find low cost alternative for conventional swimming
pools and recreational lagoons that consume water and energy used for desalination which
is the only alternative for water treatment in most touristic villages in Egyptian coast and
all over the world. The study uses low cost recreational lagoon with new technology that
use brackish water from deep wells and purify this water before entering the lagoon by
controlled pulses and energy-efficient ultrasound filtration This allows to maintain the
water within pre-defined parameters, guaranteeing standardized water quality in all
lagoons. The research introduces the lagoon new technology and its low cost design
including feeding and drainage wells, Second, the hydrographic surveying for the coastline
in the study area, Third the mathematical model for determine the water depth and
perspective water volume for the designed lagoon, Finally water quality modelling for the
production and injection wells.
The results of the measurements from the observation well prove that the optimal discharge
per each well is 0.022m3/s. This low discharge is needed to keep the salinity and the level
of the groundwater, this discharge also allows the operation of the well 24 hours daily. The
number of wells needed to replace the evaporated water is 2 wells. The number of wells
need to circulate the water in the canal and the lakes depends on:(The total volume of the
lakes - The total surface area - The bed and surface slope - The biological analysis for algae
types - Ground water quality). The construction of a lagoons with this technology are very
low cost. In addition, operating costs are very low, due to the efficient use of chemicals
and energy and by this technology it could achieve the Egypt’s vision 2030 for sustainable
development strategy.

KEYWORDS:
Artificial Recreational Coastal Lagoon, Hydrographic Survey, Mathematical Model,
Production and Injection Wells, Water Quality Modelling.

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

1. Introduction
The city of Sharm El-Sheikh has an intense focus on the environment. The idea of turning
Sharm El-Sheikh into an environmentally sustainable tourism destination is not new, given
that in 2010 the government of Egypt announced the Sharm El-Sheikh initiative and
contracted a study (presented by Booz & Co) to define its goals and content. These goals
are: reducing carbon emissions, sustainable water supplies, effective waste management
and healthy biodiversity, especially coral reefs [18].
The study area is located in the Sinai desert, 5 km from Sharm El-Sheikh Resort. The tourist
complex will contain 30,000 private units, hotels, golf areas, marinas, a historical center,
and a strip mall. The huge lake with an area of 12.5 million square meters is part of tourism
development in Sharm El Sheikh. A total of 12 lakes, which will be part of 1 million square
meters of recreational water in the middle of the desert, using salt water from salty wells,
which have no alternative use at the present time [2]. The mixed use community of 7,5
million square meters will include 12 lakes constructed in total, upon completion, using 1
million square meters of saltwater drawn from aquifers. It will get a salt water supply from
wells in the middle of the desert that are useless, allowing a tropical recreational lake in
the desert. Also, the salt water used in the recreational lake is characterized by higher levels
of purity and will be used for desalination by reverse osmosis, which reduces the costs of
desalination.

2. Material, Method, and Data Analysis

2.1. Objectives and scope of the study
There is an urgent need to study the construction of the current recreational lagoon to
ensure a source of attraction for the interior coastal lands and the development of tourism
activity in Sharm El Sheikh [13]. This green technology has attracted global attention due
to its apparent efficiency in the generation and use of clean and less energy. It will use
remote controlled system and energy-saving ultrasonic filtration, thus lagoon will use up
less chemicals and only 2 % of the energy required by conventional pools. All lagoon
hydraulic systems, chemicals and mechanical systems are controlled and operated remotely
through the internet platform [3]. This permits to keep up the water inside pre-characterized
parameters, ensuring institutionalized water quality in all tidal lagoon. The water used in
the lakes is of the highest purity, it is suitable even for human utilization, according to the
regional regulations. Through sustainable and environmentally friendly methods, this will
lead to the creation of large bodies of water for recreational purposes using fresh, marine
and brackish water, or the use of water from aquifers in the desert as in this research. Low
Cost Lagoon technology uses only 2 percentage of the energy required by conventional
water treatment technologies for traditional swimming pools and drinking water. In the
case study, salt water is obtained from unused aquifers in the desert. The salty water used
in the lagoon is characterized by higher levels of purity and will be used for desalination
by reverse osmosis, which reduces the cost of water treatment. Figure 1 shows the site
location showing artificial lagoon layout.

The objective of the research is to find low cost alternative for conventional swimming
pools and recreational lagoons that consume water and energy used for desalination which
is the only alternative for water treatment in most touristic villages in Egyptian coast and

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

all over the world. The study uses low cost recreational lagoon with new technology that
use brackish water from deep wells and purify this water before entering the lagoon by
controlled pulses and energy-efficient ultrasound filtration This allows to maintain the
water within pre-defined parameters, guaranteeing standardized water quality in all
lagoons. The salt water used in the lagoon features higher levels of purity and will be used
for reverse osmosis desalination processes, lowering the cost of water treatment. The
research consists of: First, introduces the lagoon new technology and its low cost design
including feeding and drainage wells, Second, the hydrographic surveying for the coastline
in the study area, Third the mathematical model for determine the water depth and
perspective water volume for the designed lagoon, Finally water quality modelling for the
production and injection wells.

Figure 1: Site Location showing Artificial lagoon layout.

2.2. Description of establishing the proposed artificial lagoon
The general layout of the proposed lagoon study and the distribution of the feeding and
drainage wells and the contracted design indicators are shown in Figure 2, the basic units
of the lagoon are compatible with local legislation and include the following:
 Feeding system (9 feeding wells including 7 workers + 2 reserves) as well as a pipeline
linking the lake's feeding wells
 Sewage system (9 drainage wells 7 working + 2 reserve + reservoir regulating the work
of drainage wells and drainage pipeline)
 Treatment and sterilization room (automatic addition of chlorine by dose) and injection
of feeding water with sediment and blockages.
 Plant slow sand precipitation and filtration
 Bottom cleaning and scraping line, recycling rooms and machinery
Design of feeding and drainage wells for the proposed lagoon
The amount of groundwater abstracted and the volume of water needed to inject it to the
ground depend on lagoon operation, recycling effectiveness, and storage capacity. The
proposed lake was designed to accommodate 111,000 cubic meters at the start of operation
and then continue to supply it with the required water and drainage on an equal footing
6000 cubic meters to maintain the water level in the lake. Therefore, the lake needs to
recharge the groundwater with about 6000 cubic meters per day, then re-spend it in the
deep-water aquifer. It is assumed that the feed water is extracted from the nine wells for
production from the groundwater reservoir at the same level as the drainage wells (9 wells)
3

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

in order to work in a closed system where the quantities of water are pumped back into the
groundwater layer. It is then re-extracted in a closed cycle that helps to purify natural water
that has no effect on the surrounding areas.

Figure 2: A google map showing the proposed distribution of production and injection wells
The proposed design of the feeding and drainage wells takes into account the surrounding
local hydrogeological conditions and practical considerations. Production wells are
designed to achieve the highest low throughput productivity and continue producing sand
free water. Production and drainage wells are placed at the top of the aquifer to obtain
saline groundwater and work in a closed cycle. Lake drainage pumps should be placed
away from the accommodations and recreation areas for resort guests and in the back area.
Lagoon borders and waterproofing
The lagoon bottom considers a lining consisting of a white Crystal Lagoons LLDPE geo
membrane to waterproof the surface to minimize water losses due to infiltration. The entire
perimeter of the lagoon is a beach-type boundary consisting of a sloping bottom of up to
12% that delves into the lagoon [3]. The first 10 meters of these sloping boundaries will be
constructed using a layer of cement layer 10 cm thick (4 cement sacks per meter), with a
0.5 mm waterproof HDPE geo membrane and a bottom 2 mm geographic Lagoons LLDPE
crystal film on top. Sand surface treatment is considered to increase the roughness of this
geo membrane.
Level and Location of Discharge Connection Point: Connection point for discharge pipe
is located at the side of the Machine House. Coordinates are: 6450.481; 15188.171; Pipe
elevation is: 60 m.
Level and Location of Inlet Water Pipe: The coordinates are: 6725.14; 15813.57;
Elevation for the pipe is: 64.632 m.
Critical Time to React (Inlet Flow): The critical time to react regarding fresh water inlet
flow is 14 days for salinity standards and 4 days for lagoon level.
Machine House Energy Power Consumption: The power consumption of the machine
house is distributed as the follows: [Recirculation System: 25 kW, Skimmer System: 8 kW,
Bottom Cleaning System: 25 kW, Illumination: 3 kW, Drainage System Pump: 2.5 kW,
Additional Equipment (Sentinel pumps, etc): 14 kW, Total Consumption: 77.5 kW].
Earthling System: The earthling system shall be in accordance with the Machine House
consumption. Additionally, regarding the pipes earthling, all the pipes are connected with
steel flange connections in walls.
4

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

Machine House Power Critical Time: Power critical time for Machine House is 12
hours

2.3. Hydrographic Surveying at (Nabq Area – Sharm El Sheikh-Red Sea –Egypt)

Recording Current, Temperature, and Salinity
The Aanderaa Instruments type RCM7 recording current-meters (RCM) were deployed on
a standard "U" shaped mooring. The RCM was set up to record a ten-minute vector mean
current speed and direction as well as temperature and salinity values. The measurements
were performed at station LOC1, the recorded current speed, direction, salinity, and
temperature at the station. The location of this station was E=641803.30, N =3105594.00.
Marine Physicochemical Environment
Wind Direction
The prevailing wind direction is from north to south, throughout the year. In the winter
months, however, disturbances to this settled regime do occur [4].
Currents
The surface current in the Gulf of Aqaba is known to change direction with the tidal
changes. Records show that the main surface current pattern is moving from south to north
during the high tide and from north to south during low tide.
Seawater Temperature
The lowest sea surface temperature occurs in February, with an average reading of 17.5-
20oC [22]. While the maximum temperature averages a little over 27oC. As the sun moves
back northwards in the spring, temperatures increase only slowly during March and April,
however, the maximum values are not reached until August with a degree higher than 26oC.
Water Salinity
High evaporation throughout the year results in water salinity increase a little over 40-42.5
%0 [22]. There is some evidence that evaporation is higher in the winter half of the year
than the summer half (due to higher wind speeds). In the shallow waters along the coasts
some increase in salinity is to be expected in parallel with the higher temperature of it [4].
Oxygen Content
Biologically, the oxygen content of seawater is of great importance. However, the amount
of oxygen required to saturate seawater decreases with both increasing temperature and
increasing salinity. The concentration from a little under 4.5 ml-O2/to a little over 4.0 ml-
O2/l. The concentration at the minimum level is about 1.5 ml-O2/l to 1.75 ml-O2/l[4].
Phosphate and Nitrate Content
The distribution of inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen in the surface water is relatively
low. Maximum values are found at the level of minimum oxygen. The average
concentration of phosphate is <0.1-0.15 µmol/l, while the nitrate readings are <0.5-1.0
µmol/l [22].
Hydrographic survey required field data:
A detailed Hydrographic survey for an area of 7 Km, and extend into the sea till a water
depth of some 100 m. Simultaneous tidal level and tidal flow measurements at a water
depth of 9 to 10 m for five days.
Bathymetric Survey
The bathymetric surveys covered an area of 7.0 km parallel to the shoreline and extend into
the sea till a water depth of some 100 m. The survey was carried out in beach profiles
(cross-sections), 8 beach profiles were measured with 1000 meters’ distance apart as. The

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

bathymetry of each beach profile was carried out Echo sounder (DSF-600 Digital Survey
Fathometer) installed in a big boat. The cross-sections, which are presented in Figures 4&5,
were plotted with horizontal scale of 1:2000 and vertical scale of 1:500. Bathymetric maps
(Figure 3) with the UTM system coordinates were plotted with scale 1:10000.

Figure 3: Bathymetric maps with the UTM system coordinates

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

 Figure 4: The cross-sections Cs (A-B-C-D) with horizontal scale of 1:2000 and vertical scale of 1:500.

Figure 5: The cross-sections Cs (E-F-G-H) with horizontal scale of 1:2000 and vertical scale of 1:500.

Tidal Levels
The RCM was set up to record a ten-minute time interval, mean current speed and direction
as well as temperature and salinity values. These tidal measurements were carried out at
one location with (E= 641515.6482m and N= 3099594.841m). The water depth at this
location was 10 m [15]. Figure 6 shows the tidal levels in the study area.

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

 Figure 6: The tidal levels
2.4. SOBEK 1-2 Mathematical Model for the Main Lake and Canals
The main aims of Mathematical model:
The main aim of this model: First, determine the relation between the water depth and the
water volume for the canal and the lakes. Second, calculate the evaporation rate from the
surface. Third, determine the number and capacity of the water wells needed to fill the
canal and the lakes. And Finally, find out the relationship between the discharge and the
time needed to circulate the water in the canal and the lakes to keep their water quality.
Methodology
The Study is executed using a 1-2 dimensional mathematical model. The model was built
based on the software SOBEK 1-2, which. Produced by Delft Hydraulics, Netherlands.
The model represents the canal and the three lakes.
Design input Data
[Diameter of the two side lakes: 100 m with vertical walls - Dimensions of the middle lake
is 500 x 500 m, the side slop of this lake is taken 1 V: 100 H in order to be suitable for
swimming activities - Width of the canal =25 m - Length of the canal: Almost 3000 m -
Average depth in the canal = 2.5 m]. The layout canal and the lakes are shown in Figure7.
Design of the numerical model
SOBEK-Channel Flow is a one-dimensional modeling that can simulates the flow and
water quality in river- and estuary systems. It has been developed by WL | Delft Hydraulics.
It is a tool based on knowledge and experience gained from many rivers and estuaries in
the world. The program calculates water depths and velocities in the flood area, which is
represented by a two-dimensional grid.
Basic equations used for 1D computation
In the flow module, the flow is described by the full Saint-Venant equations for unsteady
open-channel flow, which read for a regular river application:
 Continuity equation (representing the conservation of mass):
At Q
  qlat 1
t  x
 Momentum equation (representing the conservation of momentum):
Q   Q 2   h gQ Q
  B   gAf  0 2
 t  x  Af   x C 2 RAf
with:
Af = conveying cross-section [m2]
At = total cross-sectional area [m2]

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

 C = Chézy coefficient [m1/2/s]
g = gravitation constant [m/s2]
h = water level relative to reference level [m]
qlat = lateral inflow per unit length [m 3/m/s]
Q = discharge [m3/s]
R = hydraulic radius (roughly equal to the water depth) [m]
t = time [s]
Wf = width of conveying cross-section at water surface [m]
x = distance along the channel [m]
B = Boussinesq coefficient (see equation 3) [-]
The Boussinesq coefficient is a correction factor in the convective acceleration term (in
equation 2), to account for non-uniform velocity distribution in the cross-section. It is
computed from:
2
n
 n 
 Ci2 Ri Afi   Ci Afi Ri 
B  i 1
and : C 2 R   i 1  (3)
C 2 RAf  Af 
 
 
where:
i = index indicating type of sub-section in conveying cross-section (i  3)
The last expression in equation (3), computing a representative C2R, is also used in the bed-
friction term in equation 2. The Chézy coefficient C is in this model computed as a function
of Manning’s roughness coefficient nm:
R 1/ 6
C (4)
nm
For the Nile River model the Manning type roughness coefficient provides a good
representation of hydraulic roughness for a wide range of discharges.
Equation Solving Method
The equations are solved by a so-called "Delft Scheme". The solution method has been
specifically designed to ensure positive solutions, i.e. negative water depths cannot be a
result of the computations. Traditional solution methods do not ensure this property and
therefore need special control structures to tackle the computation of water levels at
shallow levels (the so called 'drying and flooding' procedures). The present solution
technique is capable to compute bores, hydraulic jumps, supercritical flow and overland
flow all in one code. To use this scheme, it is assumed that each grid cell is node, connected
to the adjacent cells by four Branches (Figure 7).
1D-2D Connection
The 1D network is linked with the 2D grid in the following ways: The connection between
the 1D connection node and 2D grid cell; and The connection between the 1D calculation
points and 2D grid cell. The following rules should be kept in mind, only one connection
per grid cell is allowed. In other words, you cannot have both a connection node and
calculation point in one grid cell, nor more than one connection node or calculation point
per grid cell. It is simpler to assume that 1D and 2D network are two independent map
layers, with the 2D network map layer overlapping a 1D network. The computational code
determines the connection points between 1D and 2D based on the map coordinates for the
center of 2D grid cell and the 1D connection node / calculation node. If they fall within
certain criteria, then the connection is made between them, else not. The criteria, if
expressed in mathematical terms, are as follows:

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

( if ( X 1  X 2  DX / 2) and ( Y1  Y 2  DY / 2) ,
Where: X1 = x map coordinate for 1D point, X2 = x map coordinate for 2D grid cell, Y1 = y map coordinate
for 1D point, Y2 = y map coordinate for 2D grid cell, DX = width of grid cell in X direction, DY = width of
grid cell in Y direction (DX and DY are equal).
Then the 1D point is assumed to ly completely within the 2D grid cell.
The connection between the 2D cells and the 1D network is done in the following way (see
Figure 7):
a-The center of 1D node is internally moved to match with the center of 2D grid cell,
without changing the length of the connection 1D Branches.
b-The 2D grid cell is counted as part of 1D node.
c-The flow in 1D channel below the 2D grid level is treated as 1D flow, while the flow
above the 2D grid level is treated as 2D flow with the area of 2D grid cell.

Figure7: Connections between 1D and 2D / Canal and Lakes Layout

Results
Figure (8) shows the relation between the water depth and the volume of water for lake
(1&2&3), Figure (9) shows the relation between the water depth and the volume of the
canal and the three lakes. Because the suggested water depth is 2.5 m, this gives a total
water volume of 450000 m3.
The evaporation rate from the canal and the three lakes is 0.038 m3/s in summer, but in
winter it decreases to be 0.015 m3/s. Figure (10) shows the relationship between the
velocity in the canal and the required discharge, and Figure (9) shows the relationship the
velocity in the canal and the required time to completely replace the water in the canal and
the lakes.
Analysis of the Model Results
The results of the measurements from the pezcmetric well prove that the optimal discharge
per each well is 80m3/hr (0.022m3/s). This low discharge is needed to keep the salinity and
the level of the groundwater, this discharge also allows the operation of the well 24 hours
daily. The relations ship between the number of the production well and the time required
to fill the lakes is shown in Figure 10.
The number of wells needed to replace the evaporated water is 2 wells.
The number of wells need to circulate the water in the canal and the lakes depends on:
(The total volume of the lakes - The total surface area - The bed and surface slope - The
biological analysis for algy types - Ground water quality).
As the lakes are going to be used in swimming activities, a detailed water quality study is
needed. This study should using be carried out a water quality mathematical model. The
model results will show the dissolving and accumulation of each water quality parameter.

10

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

Those parameters which may cause any harms for swimmers, will be the main factors when
determine the circulation rate.
3 3 3

2.5 2.5 2.5

Water Depth (m)

Water Depth (m)

Water Depth (m)

2 2 2

1.5 1.5 1.5

1 1 1

0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
0 2000 4000 0 200000 400000 0 20000 40000
Volume (m3) Lake 1 Volume (m3) Lake 2 Volume (m3) Lake 3
Figure8: Relation Between Water Depth and Volume of Lake No. 1-2-3
3 2.5
Water Depth (m)

Discharge (m3/S)
2.5
2
2
1.5 1.5
1 1
0.5
0 0.5
0 200000 400000 600000 0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
Volume (m3) Velocity m/s
Figure9: Relation Between Water Depth and Volume of Canal and Lake/ Relation Between Velocity and
Discharge in the Canal
40
20
No. of Wells
Time (day)

30
15

10 20

5 10

0 0
0 0.02 0.04 0 20 40 60 80
Velocity (m/S) Time (Days)
Figure 10: Relation Between Velocity in the Canal and Time Needed for Water Replacement / The
Relation Between the No. of Wells and Time

2-5-Water Quality Modelling for production and injection Wells:

It is conducting a complete water quality analysis for 9 production wells feeding the lagoon
and 9 injection wells discharging the water from the lagoon in order to perform the
treatment inside the lagoon and adjust the percent of chemicals used and infiltration
efficiency in the lagoon system. Figure 11 represents the Water quality analysis for
production well no.5 for (PH-HCO3-Total Alkalinity-Electrical Conductivity- TDS-Ca-Fe)
parameters, and Figure 12 shows (PH-HCO3-Total Alkalinity-Electrical Conductivity-
TDS-Ca-Fe) Analysis for 9 injection wells discharging water from the lagoon.

11

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

7.82 120.0
128

Electrical Conductivity…
61
7.72 110.0 118
60 y = 0.0594x +

Bicarbonate HCO3…

Total Alkalinity mg/l

7.62 100.0 108 59.653
y = -0.0345x + 7.624 59
7.52 R² = 0.3801 90.0 98 y = 3.4399x + R² = 0.0283
y = 3.4399x +
58

PH
7.42 80.0 81.174 88 81.174
70.0 R² = 0.5808 78 R² = 0.5808 57
7.32
60.0 68 56
7.22
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
1 2 3 4 Days
5 6 7 8 9 10 DAYS DAYS Days
670
660 0.280
38550.0 y = 3.5152x + 612.47
650 R² = 0.2504 0.230

Fe mg/l
38050.0 640

Ca mg/l
TDS mg/l

y = 0.0123x + 0.0805
630 0.180
37550.0 R² = 0.3738
620
37050.0 y = 38.012x + 38178 610 0.130
R² = 0.0283 600
36550.0 590 0.080
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 DAYS
5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DAYS DAYS
Figure 11: Water quality analysis for production well no.5 for (PH-HCO3-Total Alkalinity-Electrical
Conductivity- TDS-Ca-Fe)
7.66 60.700
98.5
7.61 98.5
Bicarbonate HCO 3 mg/l

7.56 Total AlKalinity mg/l 60.200

97.5
97.5
7.51

EC mmhos/cm
96.5 59.700
7.46 96.5
7.41 y = 0.3433x +
PH

y = 0.0162x + 95.5 y = 0.3517x + 59.200

94.917 95.5 y = -0.11x + 60.261
7.36 7.3858 94.819
R² = 0.3437 R² = 0.1548
7.31 R² = 0.0939 94.5 R² = 0.3235
94.5 58.700
7.26
7.21 93.5
93.5 58.200
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 123456789
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
WELL No. WELL NO. Well No. Well No.
38860.0 670 0.1

38760.0 660 0.09

TDS mg/l

y = -2.3833x + 653.69
Ca mg/l

38660.0 650 R² = 0.2307 0.08

y = -0.0009x + 0.0911
38560.0 640
Fe mg/l

0.07 R² = 0.0273
y = -9.3833x + 38686
38460.0 630 0.06
R² = 0.0329
38360.0 620 0.05
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Well No. Well No. Well No.
Figure 12: (PH-HCO3-Total Alkalinity-Electrical Conductivity- TDS-Ca-Fe) Analysis for 9 injection wells for the
Lagoon Area
Table 1 shows the results of groundwater analyzes at the proposed site, which confirms
that groundwater quality is not suitable for drinking or agriculture purposes and the water

12

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

available in the groundwater reservoir is brackish water. (TDS = 38563 mg / L) This value
is well above the Egyptian standards for good water (TDS = 38563 mg / L).
Table 1: Reference groundwater quality for Red Sea waters and Egyptian standards for potable water [6].
Average
Egyptian Drinking Water Red Sea Groundwater
Parameter Unit Standard Year 2007 Sample Sample
Ammonia (NH3) mg/l 0.5
Nitrite (NO2) mg/l 0.2 <0.2
Nitrate (NO3) mg/l 45 5.53
Turbidity NTU 1 clear
Temperature C0 34.5
TDS mg/l 1000 44495 38563
pH 6.5-8.5 7.3
Total alkalinity (CaCO3) mg/l 131 94
Total Hardness (CaCO3) mg/l 500 10584
Calcium (Ca) mg/l 350 512 639
Magnesium (Mg) mg/l 150 1535 818
Sodium (Na) mg/l 200 13850 11575
Potassium (K) mg/l 420 296
Chlorides (Cl) mg/l 250 24663 19544
Sulfates (SO4) mg/l 250 3384 2484
Iron (Fe) mg/l 0.3 1.3 0.18
Manganese (Mn) mg/l 0.4 0.018
fecal coliform unit/100ml 2 units/100 ml zero
The groundwater used in the feeding is colorless, odorless, and the average temperature is
around 34.5 ° C and pH 7.3. The salinity concentration is very high in the Red Sea water,
reaching about 44,495 mg / l [7]. There is no significant difference in salinity between the
Red Sea water and groundwater wells at the proposed site to feed the lake. The content of
manganese and iron is much lower than the standards for safe drinking water and the safe
operation of the proposed lake. According to groundwater quality, the only possible use of
groundwater on site is to feed the lake rather than direct discharge from the sea that damage
the marine ecosystem.

3.Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusions
 The construction of a lagoons with this technology are very low cost, a 10,000 square
meter lagoon consumes only 50% of the water needed to maintain a garden of the same
size, and a medium sized lagoon consumes about 30 times less than a golf course. In
addition, operating costs are very low, due to the efficient use of chemicals and energy.
This technology also stands out in its low water consumption, working in a closed circuit,
and only needs to replace water lost due to evaporation. As an added advantage, lagoon
can capture direct rainwater, which reduces the amount of water needed to compensate
for the loss by evaporation, and in some heavy rain sites it is estimated that lagoon can
only be refilled with rainwater, without the need for additional waters;
 The experiments conducted on the cloud wells confirmed that the safe behavior of these
wells ranged from 80 m3 / s - 90 m3 / s and that the dynamic decline of the wells ranges
between 1-4 meters and that the inter-wells between about 100 meters and there is no
effect on any well The other at the moment;

13

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

 Experiments conducted on the drainage wells also confirmed that the injection rates for
these wells ranged from 25 m3 / s - 65 m3 / s and that the amount of rise (recoil) in the
depth of water ranges between 7 - 33 m and that the distances between the wells about
100 meters and There is no effect on any other well at this time;
 The results of the measurements from the pezcmetric well prove that the optimal
discharge per each well is 80m3/hr (0.022m3/s). This low discharge is needed to keep the
salinity and the level of the groundwater, this discharge also allows the operation of the
well 24 hours daily. The number of wells needed to replace the evaporated water is 2
wells. The number of wells need to circulate the water in the canal and the lakes depends
on:(The total volume of the lakes - The total surface area - The bed and surface slope -
The biological analysis for algy types - Ground water quality);
 Field visits and investigations indicated that the region is completely lacking fresh
groundwater and that its presence is limited to salt and brackish water, which is the main
source of water for the Gulf waters. Therefore, the entire region relies on desalination of
Gulf water or water transported from the Sinai bottom plain;
 The geology of the region and its surrounding areas indicates that the area is mostly
covered with volcanic and altered rocks, interspersed with simple sections of sedimentary
rocks represented in limestone with cracks of coarse sand;
 Hydrography in the area confirms the presence of saline and brackish groundwater in
limestone fissures that have direct or indirect contact with the Gulf waters.

Recommendations:
 Periodic maintenance of the drainage and drainage wells at close intervals in order to
maintain the safety of these wells and ensure their long-term safety;
 A mathematical model must use to represent the hydrographic conditions of the well
and drainage wells to study the hydraulic behavior of the tank under the influence of
continuous operation in the long term;
 As the lagoon are going to be used in swimming activities, a detailed water quality study
is needed. The model results will show the dissolving and accumulation of each water
quality parameter;
 Although developers often view artificial lagoon as an attractive natural feature
economically, they may actually interfere with environmental cycles in the region. The
presence of a huge artificial lagoon may affect migratory birds passing through the Sinai
this should take into account.
Acknowledgements
The corresponding author expresses her gratitude to Prof. Tarik Tawfic, former director of
the Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring, Ministry of Water
Resources and Irrigation, Cairo, who moderated this paper and in that line improved the
manuscript significantly. She also is immensely grateful to professors in National Water
Research Center, Cairo for their comments on an earlier version of the manuscript,
although any errors are her-own, and should not tarnish the reputations of these esteemed
experts.

14

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

References
[1]. California Coastal Commission,(1993),”Seawater desalination in California”,
www.coastal.ca.gov/desalrpt.
[2]. City Stars,( 2019), “ Press Releases – Sharm El Sheikh Project “
http://www.citystars.com.eg/press.php?active=page_press
[3]. Crystal lagoon, (2017), “Recreational Crystal Clear Lagoons “,
http://environment.govmu.org/English/eia/Documents/Reports/2017/2712-
hotel%20les%20salines/apendj.pdf
[4]. Edwards, A.J. and Head, S.M. (1987) ,”Red Sea, Key Environments Series”,
Pergamon Press, Oxford, 42-78, eBook ISBN:9781483285993,
https://www.elsevier.com/books/red-sea/edwards/978-0-08-028873-4.
[5]. EEAA, )2009) ,”A Guide to EIA Basics and Procedure”, http://www.eeaa.gov.eg
[6]. El Gohary R., (2017),” Environmental Impact Assessment for the Creation of a Lake
in a Touristic Development Villages-A Case Study”, International Journal of
Multidisciplinary and Current Research, ISSN: 2321-3124, http://ijmcr.com
[7]. El Gohary R.,(2017), “A Visibility Study for choosing the Dug Wells Alternative
versus Deep Wells for Water Supply,” International Journal of Current Engineering and
Technology IJCET - E-ISSN 2277 – 4106, P-ISSN 2347 – 5161- Vol.7, No.3 (June
2017)- Available at http://inpressco.com/category/ijcet
[8]. El Komy A. et al , (2019 ) “ Beach Filtration for Low Cost RO Desalination and
Environment Protection – A Case Study of Sharm El Sheikh South Sinai , Egypt “ ,
Journal of Al-Azhar University Engineering Sector Vol. 14, No. 53, October, 2019, 1436-
144 , http://journals.ekb.eg/article_64243_1fbc088facb3094ffdee1445f8889a35.pdf
[9]. Embaby, M., (2004(,” Towards an Ecotourism Development and Planning in the
Red Sea Coastal Zones”, International Conference: Future Vision and Challenges for
Urban Development, Cairo, Egypt.
http://www.fayoum.edu.eg/English/Engineering/Architectural/pdf
[10]. Freeze R., Cherry J. (1979),” Groundwater”, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs NY.
604p.https://www.unigrac.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/Groundwater%20book
%20-%20English.pdf
[11]. Frihy, O.E., et al., (2006),” A review of methods for constructing coastal
recreational facilities in Egypt (Red Sea)”, Elsevier B.V., ecological engineering 27 p. 1–
12, doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2005.11.001
[12]. Ghodeif, K., (2002(,” Management and Protection of ground water in El-Qaa Plain,
Sinai, Egypt”, Ph. D. dissertation, Geology Institute, Adam Mickiewicz University,
Poznan, Poland. 193 p
[13]. Global environment Facility GEF (2018) , “ Green Sharm El Sheikh” Part I: Project
Information - GEF ID 10117 , https://www.thegef.org/sites/default/files/web-
documents/10117_PIF.pdf
[14]. Hopner Th., Lattemann S. (2002),” Chemical impacts from seawater desalination
plants – a case study of the northern Red Sea”, Desalination 152 (2002) 133-140.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(02)01056-1
[15]. HRI, MWRI, (2007),” Sharm El Sheikh Golf Course Report Main Lakes and Canal
“Report No.201 /2007.
[16]. Infra – Consult (2004(,” Study and evaluate the influence of production wells on
groundwater reservoir “, Hilton Sharm Dreams Plant (unpublished report)

15

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474

[17]. JICA and WRRI, (1999(,” South Sinai Groundwater Resources Study”, Internal
report – Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, WRRI, Cairo.
http://open_jicareport.jica.go.jp/618/618/618_405_11497468.html
[18]. Karmany Hebaalla ,(2016),“ Evaluation of Green Building Rating Systems for
Egypt “Master of Science in Sustainable Development, The American University in
Cairo,http://dar.aucegypt.edu/bitstream/handle/10526/4628/Evaluation%20of%20Green
%20Building%20Rating%20Systems%20for%20Egypt_Heba%20Alla%20Karmany.pd
f?sequence=4
[19]. Metwally, M., et al., (2006(,” An Approach to Sustainable Tourism Development in
Coastal Area-Egypt”, Housing and Building Research Center J. Cairo, Egypt.
http://www.cpas-egypt.com/pdf
[20]. Ministry of Planning MOP, Monitoring and Administrative Reform. (2016),”
Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030”,
http://sdsegypt2030.com/category/reports-en/?lang=en.
[21]. MOP (2015), “Ministry of Planning. Egypt Sustainable Development Strategy
2030”. www.mop.gov.eg/Vision1.pdf
[22]. Morcos, S.A. (1970), “Physical and Chemical Oceanography of the Red Sea”,
Oceanography and Marine Biology, Annual Review, 8, 73-202.
[23]. Purnama, A., et al., )2003(,” Modeling dispersion of brine waste discharges from a
coastal desalination plant”, Desalination 155: 41-47 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-
9164(03)00237-6
[24]. Ramadan, A. A, (2008), “Optimum pumping-injection system for saline
groundwater desalination in Sharm El Sheikh”, MSc Thesis.
https://www.academia.edu/6893700/Optimum_PumpingInjection_System_for_Saline_
Groundwater_Desalination_in_Sharm_El_Sheikh?auto=download
[25]. RIGW/IWACO, (1999(, “Hydrogeological Map of Egypt, 1:2000, 000" Cairo,
Egypt.
[26]. SIS. (2015),” State Information Service. Egypt Launches Sustainable Development
Strategy”, http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Templates/Articles/tmpArticles.aspx?CatID=4111
Sweepnet.
[27]. UNEP, (2001(, “Seawater Desalination in Mediterranean Countries: Assessment of
Environmental Impact and Proposed Guidelines for the Management of Brine”, UNEP
(DEC)/MED WG. 183/Inf.6, 2001.
[28]. WHO, (2007(,” Desalination for Safe Water Supply "Guidance for the Health and
Environmental Aspects Applicable to Desalination" Geneva.
https://www.academia.edu/34643305/Desalination_for_Safe_Water_Supply_Public_He
alth_and_the_Environment_World_Health_Organization_Geneva_2007

16

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3510474