Thirst threatens the oases of southern Libya Will the silent reservoir of Murzuq run dry?

Deep in the Libyan desert, where rainfall is scarce and surface water sources are limited, the southern oases rely on underground reservoirs that store a vital water resource for the population and agriculture. However, this resource is facing increasing pressure due to agricultural expansion, well drilling, and growing reliance on groundwater.

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The Murzuq Basin faces challenges including declining groundwater levels, varying salinity, and pollution risks associated with uncontrolled extraction and agricultural activities.

The study indicates that the basin contains deep underground reservoirs, and that hydrogeological and isotopic indicators suggest the presence of ancient water with limited modern recharge, at a time when this water is widely used for irrigation and domestic purposes.

These data do not mean that the Murzuq reservoir is about to run out, but they reveal increasing pressure on a limited renewable resource, and raise a question about the basin’s ability to meet current and future needs in light of continued exploitation.

The expert also links this situation to the absence of agricultural extension services and the failure to implement laws, explaining that the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , is working on the “Marwat” project to draw the agricultural map and the crop map.

The spokesperson adds that this situation has led to an expansion in the drilling of underground wells, especially in agricultural areas, and has resulted in the depletion of a number of water resources in the southern region, under difficult security and institutional conditions.

Salinity is the other side of the crisis

The pressures on the Murzuq Basin are not related to the quantity of water alone, as the recent study indicates the varying characteristics of the groundwater, ranging from fresh water to moderately saline water.

These data make monitoring water quality, along with its levels, essential, especially with the continuation of agricultural activities and intensive extraction.

The study warns of the risks of pollution associated with unregulated extraction and agricultural activities, meaning that preserving the reservoir is not only about preventing its level from dropping, but also about preserving the quality of the water it provides.

This highlights the sensitivity of the situation in oases, where water is not just an economic resource, but is essential for the continuation of agriculture and life in a very arid region.