WATER RESOURCES ISSUES IN TROPICAL RIVER CATCHMENTS

The British University in Egypt, Faculty of Engineering

Sherouk City, Cairo-Ismailia Road, Cairo, Egypt

The main hydrological and environmental problems in tropical catchments are reported, with

particular emphasis on the complex issues of the Citarum River catchment, West Java,

Indonesia. The concept of basin planning is introduced, from which decision-support systems

are suggested within the water resources management strategies. The relationship between

available water resources and various water demand sectors (such as domestic, municipal,

industrial) is given.

The effect of land use and various industrial activities within Citarum catchment on the

degree of availability and quality is also included in the study. The various degrees of

contamination in groundwater are presented in detail. Practical measures on how to remedy

the continuous decline of groundwater level and quality in form of quantitative strategies are

also given. Finally, an overview is given on the management strategies for water resources,

which can be used to improve the present deterioration of water resources and to cope with

the predicted increasing future demands.