Development and Conservation of Water Resources for Agriculture in an Arid Environment: A Case Study of the Souf Oasis (Algerian Sahara) Bachir Khezzani* 1,2,3 and Salah Bouchemal 2,4 1 Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, El-Oued University, Algeria 2 Laboratory of Natural Resources and Development of Sensitive Environments, Oum El-Bouaghi University, Algeria 3 Department of Natural Sciences and Life, Oum El-Bouaghi University, Algeria 4 Institute of Urban Management Techniques, Oum El-Bouaghi University, PO Box 358, Algeria Received: October 2017 Abstract: In the majority of arid regions, the groundwater is the only source of water available for different uses. It is, however, depleting at very fast rate due to heavy dependence on groundwater for practically all purposes. Present study, highlights the problems of water resource depletion in Souf Oasis as a typical example. This Oasis has been known for sharp decline in the groundwater level, caused by the constant attrition of phreatic aquifer, particularly by the agricultural sector. The decline in groundwater level has led to many problems particularly, deterioration of traditional irrigation system (Ghout). The first part of the paper has concentrated on the rational use of available water resources and, second part focuses on research on alternative water resources such as, reuse or treatment of wastewater. This resource can be exploited directly for irrigation or indirectly through artificial recharge technique to support the available stock of phreatic aquifer. Key words: Phreatic aquifer, artificial recharge, water scarcity, treated wastewater, agriculture, Souf Oasis. Water is one of the most vital natural resources. It is crucial for the survival of all living organisms and is essential for agriculture, domestic, industrial input, tourism besides sustenance of the earth’s ecosystems. According to the United Nations estimates, the world population is expected to rise to 9 billion by 2050. This phenomenal rise in population will cause major demand on freshwater supplies for consumer use and irrigated agriculture (Taft, 2015). In Africa, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that by 2025, approximately 480 million people would be living in areas of high water scarcity (Omotobora et al., 2014). The environment, economy and development of any country are significantly influenced by the regional and seasonal variation in the available quantity and quality of surface and groundwater (Odhiambo, 2016). At the beginning of the 21 st century, the world faces a water crisis, with respect to both quantity and quality, caused by continuous population growth, industrialization, food production practices besides increased living standards and poor water use strategies (Pereira et al., 2002; Iglesias et al., 2007; Corcoran et al., 2010). Global water consumption is doubling every 20 years. By the year 2025, two out of three people in the world will be living in water scarce-regions, especially in developing countries and even in some developed countries (Matheyarasu et al., 2015). This crisis will be more severe in the arid and semi-arid regions (Kahil et al., 2016), because its covers one-third of the lands on earth and hold one-fifth of the global population (Jackson et al., 2001). In many arid and semi-arid areas in the world, the groundwater is the only source available for all types of uses (Ebrahimi et al., 2016). The over-exploitation of this resource has led to a significant decrease of the groundwater level and the degradation of its quality (Lachaal et al., 2011). Currently, searching for alternative water resources is a difficult challenge for these countries. According to Kadirkhodjaeva (2015), under arid and semi-arid conditions, only Cyprus, Tunisia and Jordan, practice wastewater Annals of Arid Zone 57(1&2): 1-11, 2018 *E-mail: bachir-khezzani@univ-eloued.dz