Hydro-Agricultural Development (Great Man-Made River)

Ground Water Extraction and Transmission:

Location: Sarir well field.

Objective: Irrigation of 65,000 acres for agriculture along the coastal area of the Sirt Gulf.

Scope: Extraction of ground water from aquifer Sarir well field, 800 km long collection network and 350 km pumped system to the coast. Onward transmission (500 km) along the coastal area of the bay for storage and distribution.

Components:

• Hydro-geological research and studies in Sarir well field 30,000 km².
• Well drilling to 900 m deep, uninterrupted long duration pumping tests to determine aquifer discharge, water quality and drawdown.
• Computer studies, using a dedicated mathematical model, to determine the stepped drawdown for a life span of 100 years.
• Design of 230 production wells and layouts to achieve average daily water discharge of 1,000,000 m³.
• Design of 800 km water collecting network within the well field.
• Aerial and ground survey, 50,000 km²: water production fields, pipeline routes and agricultural development zones.
• Agricultural soil surveys and classification, 375,000 acres reconnaissance level and 155,000 acres semi detailed level, studies and research.
• Design of the pipelines and pumping facilities.
• Water reservoirs, 110,000,000 m³.
• Design of irrigation and drainage methods and techniques.
• Determination of crop patterns and crop rotation for each location.
• Design of the electrical system for the well field: 150MW power station, 880 km overhead transmission lines (220kV and 30kV), 230 pole mounted transformers associated switchgear and control equipment for submersible pumps and dispatch and control center.
• 800 km electrical transmission and distribution lines (30kV and10kV) in the coastal area to supply a load of 77MVA utilized in irrigation, agro industries and farms.
• Study of the infrastructure for the project including potable water, sewage disposal, generation and transmission of electricity, public lighting and telephones.
• Animal breeding and related facilities.
• Agro industrial development of the area using the agricultural and animal products.
• Soil conservation, erosion control and windbreaks.
• Determination of size of farm settlements, villages and public buildings for the project.
• Design of 460 km of roads network to serve the development zone.
• Full optimization of all elements and parts of the project.
• Economic evaluation of the project including estimation of agricultural, animal and industrial production and marketing.