Groundwater Potentiality : To show the groundwater potentiality for an area, several parameters must be taken into consideration regarding both the water quantity and quality. In the present study water salinity is considered as an indicator for its quality. The groundwater depths, recharge, discharge, and the aquifer geometry are considered as an indicator for water quantity. Accordingly, potentiality map for the study area is constructed (Fig). The area is distinguished into three main parts;.
i. area of high groundwater potentiality. It includes the groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer under the old cultivated lands surrounding the River Nile. The groundwater in this part is directly recharged from the river and the main irrigation canals in addition to the excess irrigation water.
ii. The second part is that of medium groundwater potentiality. It dominates the area of the old alluvial plains of the Nile. It is now mainly reclaimed. In this area the groundwater is slightly saline and of intermediate depth (8-20 m depth).
iii. . The third part is that area surrounding the previous areas and located adjacent to the limestone plateaux on both sides of the studied area. The groundwater in this area is generally of moderately saline and present at great depth (more than 20m). In this part, the water-bearing are represent by the Plio-Pleistocene sediments.
Out of the studied area, the carbonate rocks dominate the eastern and western plateaux. The groundwater is recently extracted at depths more than 50m but more information are not available.