Laboratory investigations of compatibility of the Dammam Formation Aquifer with desalinated freshwater at a pilot recharge site in Kuwait

The degree of compatibility of desalinated water with native ground-water and aquifer material of the Dammam Formation at a selected pilot recharge site in Kuwait was investigated. Core flow tests did not indicate any major adverse effect from injection of desalinated water into the aquifer. Geochemical simulation, jar tests and dynamic scaling tests did not suggest any scaling for mixtures of Dammam Formation water and desalinated water. The mercury porosimetry data suggested, however, that injection water should be filtered to remove suspended solids of diameter 1.055 microns and higher to avoid clogging of the pore spaces.