Introduction

coastal wells in the Sirik region, in order to supply water with lower salinity compared to seawater for desalination purposes. To achieve this, a specialized team carried out field investigations as well as geological and hydrogeological studies to evaluate the potential of the area.   The geological studies included an assessment of the regional geological characteristics, an overview of geomorphology and its influence on landform development, lithostratigraphy of the area, evaluation of subsurface formations and their hydrodynamic properties, and identification of the geological layers influencing groundwater quality. In parallel, hydrogeological investigations were conducted to analyze upstream drainage channels and their potential contribution to aquifer recharge, to study flood characteristics of the basin, the porosity and permeability of subsurface formations, the presence and specifications of groundwater aquifers, and the availability of renewable groundwater for sustainable abstraction. Particular emphasis was placed on evaluating the possibility of groundwater exploitation through horizontal galleries in coastal wells. The technical complexity of this project stems from the fact that groundwater flow alters soil structure and stratigraphy, which makes both the quantity and quality of water abstraction a major challenge. Groundwater quality, typically determined by salinity indicators such as EC (Electrical Conductivity) and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), may fluctuate significantly over time. Therefore, a reliable assessment of groundwater potential and quality requires extensive physical, geotechnical, and geophysical studies, all of which involve substantial costs. The absence of accurate regional datasets on surface water, geology, and groundwater further compounded these challenges.