Modeling Nitrate Contamination of the Eocene Aquifer, Palestine

Abstract

The Eocene Aquifer is one important aquifer in the northern West Bank. Recent measurements have indicated an increasing trend in the nitrate contamination in several monitoring wells of this aquifer. The continuing nitrate pollution of the aquifer without implementing protection measures will lead to a poor water quality. This research focuses on developing a nitrate fate and transport model for the Eocene Aquifer using MODFLOW and MT3D. The development of the MT3D model started by identifying the different sources of nitrogen in the aquifer, then both models was compiled to develop the model. The nitrate fate and transport model simulated the spatial distribution of nitrate concentration in the aquifer under the current conditions. The calculations indicated excessive nitrogen-based fertilizing rates and thus considerable nitrate leaching into the aquifer. Other responsible sources for the elevated concentrations are attributed to the use of cesspits for wastewater disposal. Features of a groundwater quality monitoring system of the Eocene Aquifer have been developed. Sensitivity analysis indicated a high influence of decay rate and the mass of nitrate leaching on nitrate concentrations.

Full Article

GIS-BASED MODELING OF GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FOR THE WEST BANK

Abstract

Groundwater is the major source of water for the Palestinians. Efficient management of this resource requires a good understanding of its status. This understanding necessitates a characterization of the utilizable quantities and the corresponding qualities. This thesis focuses on the quantification of groundwater recharge for the entire West Bank and for each aquifer using the Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) method. The SMD method is the most applicable method for recharge estimation under arid and semi-arid conditions. ModelBuilder of GIS was utilized to facilitate the recharge quantification and to efficiently account for the spatiality inherent in recharge. Results confirm that the highest recharge occurs in the North-West of the West Bank and the lowest in the South-East. The long term average recharge for the entire West Bank was calculated based on the available historical records that start from 1975 to 1997. The results of the recharge for the entire West Bank equals 610 mcm. And the total annual recharge for the entire West Bank is 852 mcm for the year 2004. Overall, the recommendations call for an immediate intervention to study scenario analysis such as climatic change and its impact is required to predict the recharge behavior in the future to get effective groundwater modeling and management.

Full Article

Natural Runoff and Development of Infiltration System in Faria Catchment

Abstract

This study suggests proper management of the runoff water in Faria catchment and how to capture the excess rain during the rainy season. The study has been performed in the frame of EXACT project to develop an integrated prediction-optimization model for water harvesting, storage and utilization in Faria catchment.

An integrative study of the methods for rainfall-runoff simulation has been performed. The modeling of the runoff is based here on a presumed strong causal relationship between runoff and rainfall as the only available input data. Hydrometeorigical data such as annual total, annual daily rainfalls and catchment outlet runoff for several events were analyzed through statistical methods and applying EXCEL and GIS program utilities. A regression relation between rainfall intensity and runoff coefficient has been developed. Earth fill dam is proposed to return the surface runoff.

Volume quantification, site selection and design criteria of the earth fill dam were developed and identified. Further hydrograph simulation and routing of the flow were done.

The development of the suggested infiltration system to recharge the groundwater resources by constructing the earth retention dam at the selected site in Upper Faria catchment is seen as an important requirement for the development of the water resources in the area.

Full Article

Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Comparative Study between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps

This thesis is about the “Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A comparative Study Between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps” and aims studying household hazardous waste (HHW) to determine the type and the quantity of hazardous materials most commonly used at homes, the level of awareness of household heads concerning the disposal of these substances, the extent of hazardous substance-related accidents and injuries occurring at homes. It also suggests an integrated management plan for HHW taking into consideration different engineering measures for managing the HHW from the point of generation to final disposal. Literature was collected and analyzed to identify the extent of the problem and its related issues. The questionnaire was distributed among 1300 households and a solid waste generation analysis was carried out during a 15 working days period with sorting 150 samples of 23 tons of municipality solid waste at Nablus solid waste transfer station. HHW concentrations of 2.89% and 1.88% were detected in the Nablus city and its refugee camps respectively in proportion to the family income. Findings indicate that home products and personal care products most commonly consumed hazardous substances at homes and 17.9% of the study households have injuries, poisons and burns from accidents resulted from the use of these substances. The study also found that the level of households' awareness of hazardous substances is generally low and is in need of continuous improvement. The results lead to many recommendations: a proposed management system for HHW management is needed that would help the Palestinian health to enhance and develop health and environmental services. A management system, including new approach for storage, collection, separation, transportation, treatment and disposal of HHW was proposed. This system will deal with at least 1600 tons/year of HHW in Nablus city and its refugee camps.

Full Article

Integrated Water Resources Planning for A water-Stressed Basin in Palestine

In Palestine, failure to account for long-term scenarios of water availability is a concern given the potential for severe drought and the continuing misallocation of water rights and water distributions as well as the lack of policies to support integrated water resources management. Analysis to assess how to design future water resources, facilities, and management scenarios based on future measures and management practices as well as rainfall patterns for Palestine are investigated. This research focuses on building an IWRM model for Al Far'a catchment using WEAP program. After collecting all the required data and studying the existing situation, different scenarios are suggested here. Population growth was taken in to account in this work. The burgeoning population growth in Palestine is crucial to integrated water resources planning and management and is expected to increase the stresses on the already scarce water resources. The last step was calibrating the model to get the best fit model and better accuracy. Projection of these data into the future was approximated through many strenuous built-in relationships in WEAP model to assess the future water states. Thus, annual, and decadal future water availability is projected, characterized, and examined to support efficient and effective scenarios to sustain water resources management. This analysis of scenarios assessment and best management practices evaluation is performed for Al-Far'a watershed. Wherein, integrated water resource planning models that can simultaneously aggregate and process hydrologic and management elements are of paramount importance to aid decision planners evaluate the tradeoffs and priorities under different hydrologic realities and management objectives. The utility of the analysis to highlight the need for alternative water supplies; to quantify groundwater recharge; to evaluate water conservation and fair water allocation policies; and to provide guidelines for future non-traditional water supply projects are also presented and discussed.

Full Article

Impact of Pumping on Saltwater Intrusion in Gaza Coastal Aquifer, Palestine

Gaza Coastal Aquifer (GCA) is the major source of water in Gaza Strip. Recent studies show noticeable deterioration in the water quality; where chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and fluoride concentrations are exceeding the maximum contaminant levels in most of the wells in Gaza Strip. Many agricultural wells are no longer used due to the high salinity. This high salinity is an indication of a phenomenon called saltwater intrusion which appears mainly in coastal aquifers due to the excessive pumping. This study is an attempt to find out the impact of pumping on the hydraulic head at the coastline of Gaza Strip. To do so, a groundwater flow model was developed for GCA using MODFLOW-2000 based on data from the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA). The model was calibrated based on head observations obtained form PWA and contour maps from literature. The calibrated model was used to simulate the effects of pumping, recharge, and injection on water table elevation. The results show that GCA is sensitive to the above mentioned parameters. Pumping has a great impact on water table elevations. A small decrease in total pumping (pumping from all of the wells) results in a noticeable decline in the areas that have water table elevations below mean sea level (MSL), which is in essence an indication of saltwater intrusion. Similar results were found when decreasing municipal and agricultural pumping. Two potential solutions were simulated; reduction in pumping and the injection of water through wells. These two options eliminated the problem of saltwater intrusion. However, a thorough future analysis should include an economic feasibility study.

Full Article

An Assessment of the Nitrate and Chloride in the West Bank Groundwater Resources Using GIS

Groundwater is the major source of water to the Palestinians. Efficient management of this resource requires a good understanding of its status. This understanding necessitates a characterization of the utilizable quantities and the corresponding qualities. The research focuses on the long-term degradation of water quality in the West Bank aquifers. A statistical analysis is carried out for the spatial and temporal distributions of the nitrate and chloride concentrations. GIS technology is utilized to facilitate the analysis and to efficiently account for the spatiality inherent in water resources parameters. Results confirm that the nitrate concentration across the West Bank aquifers has an increasing trend after the year 1985. As for chloride, the wells of the Jordan Valley have the highest concentrations. Overall, the recommendations call for an immediate intervention to solve the quality problems in the West Bank aquifers.

Full Article

Optimal Management of Groundwater Pumping The Case of the Eocene Aquifer, Palestine

The Eocene aquifer is an important source of water supply to local communities in Jenin district and parts of Nablus district. The aquifer is heavily utilized for agricultural activities in specific. It is believed that there is a potential for additional utilization of the aquifer through pumping. In order to verify this, a simulation/optimization model was developed in this study using the U. S. Geological Survery’s MODFLOW and GWM. The groundwater model was constructed and calibrated under steady-state conditions. Based on the calibrated steady-state groundwater flow model, the annual discharge from the Eocene aquifer outside the West Bank is about 55 million cubic meters. This simulation model was then utilized in the development of the GWM model (optimization) to find out the optimal pumping rates that the aquifer can sustain without depleting the aquifer. The outcome from the GWM model shows that 23 mcm can be safely pumped out from the Eocene aquifer through the existing wells. This is achieved under the assumption that the Israeli wells tapping the aquifer pumps 11.7 mcm and that the drop in the saturated thickness does not exceed 50%. Results are manifested and analyzed and the conculsions and recommendation are provided.

Full Article

Evaluation of Solid Waste Management Practices in Nablus District

This study is about the current solid waste management system in Nablus district and it covers the issue from three aspects. These are the management system, awareness of citizens, and solid waste composition. Around 97% of the population in Nablus district are located within areas that have a solid waste collection system. There are great variations in the management system between the city and villages, and among different villages. The collection systems in villages vary from one to another by equipment used. 25 localities are using compacting trucks while 22 are using tractor. The service provider is local council in 9 localities, a contractor in 27 localities, and the joint service council in 13 localities. Amount of solid waste fee ranges between 5 NIS to 15 NIS. The fee is collected separately in 11 localities, with electricity bill in 35 localities, with water bill in 3 localities, with both bills in 2 localities Ownership of the dumping sites also changes from locality to locality. Insufficiency of existing labor and equipments, improper disposal of waste in dumping sites, and low fee collection rates, are the main problems in the existing management system. There is no separation of hazardous and medical waste in all localities. These practices increase threat to citizens and the environment. There is a question about the necessity of unifying the solid waste management system in the district and in the Palestinian territories. This unification can be activated by initiative from the Ministry of Local Government, which is responsible for the local councils. There is a need for establishing sanitary disposal landfill. This should be done in parallel with closing the illegal dumping sites, and increasing the recycling and composting where it is feasible. The UNRWA has to take its full responsibility in refugee camps by disposing the generated solid waste. Currently, UNRWA is only collecting solid waste from the camps and disposing it in the nearest municipal containers. Different citizens’ attitudes toward solid waste management were revealed. Like, readiness of citizens to pay more for better collection system as their income increases, and the readiness of citizens living in separate houses to walk further to container than citizens living in apartments. There is a good indication about readiness of citizens to separate solid waste into five components for recycling purpose. On the other hand, there is a need to increase citizens awareness and care about solid waste management issues. The weight composition percentage of the solid waste in Nablus district is 63% organic material, 8% plastics, 3% metals, 3% glass, 10% paper and cardboard, 3% textiles 10% others and inert materials. It is clear that the high portion of solid waste is organic material, as expected in developing countries. The variation in the composition between village and city is minor. The organic content is a bit higher in villages while the paper content is higher in the city.

Full Article

Impacts of Solid Waste Leachate on Soil and its Simulation to Ground Water at Nablus Area

Palestine is not like other countries; it has its special situation because of the Israeli occupation. The closure and segregation of the main roads of the Palestinian, leading to complicate the solid waste management problem and resulted in the usage of alternative uncontrolled dumping sites which may be polluted the soil and the ground water. The vulnerability map of West Bank notice that many Palestinian cities especially Nablus city have high vulnerability. Neither short nor long term effect of MSW on soil and ground water in Palestine were not adequately evaluated and there is need to explore these effects and impacts. So the aims for this study are: evaluate the temporal and spatial variations of MSW leachate in landfills, evaluate the impacts of MSW leachate on soil, and may be simulate the impacts of MSW leachate on ground water. These aims achieved by establishing a model similar the real dump site, which consists of: ? Leachate extraction columns ? Leachate application to soil columns Laboratory analyses: ? Leachate: the samples were analyzed for MSW leachate parameter which are: pH, EC, TSS, TDS, BOD5, Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO3, HCO3, alkalinity, hardness, Sulfate, Phosphate, Nitrate, Cl, and Iron. ? Soil: the soil properties which we tested were classified under two different categories; physical and chemical properties. • Physical analyses are: pH, EC, sieve analysis, hydrometer test. • Chemical analyses are: Nutrition that consists of K, Nitrite, and Phosphorus. Salt source that consists of Na, Ca, Mg, Cl. The results of this study demonstrated that • TSS and TDS of MSW leachate were increased with MSW depth and decreasing with increasing water addition. • SAR values of the soil impacted by MSW leachate and in all columns tested increased slightly with depth but remained within the excellent range of soils suitable for agricultural development. • Removal of pollutants from MSW leachate by passage through a soil. Statistical analysis of quality data collected showed that responsive functions of elements under consideration using multiple liner regression were possible and adequately acceptable and can be used to predict those elements as a function of MSW elevation and extent of precipitation.

Full Article

GIS-Based Hydrological Modeling of Semiarid Catchments (The Case of Faria Catchment)

Extreme events, such as severe storms, floods, and droughts are the main features characterizing the hydrological system of a region. In the West Bank, which is characterized as semiarid; little work has been carried out about hydrological modeling. This thesis is an attempt to model the rainfall-runoff process in Faria catchment, which is considered as one of the most important catchments of the West Bank. Faria catchment dominating the north eastern slopes of the West Bank is a catchment of about 334 km2 and has the semiarid characteristics of the region. The catchment is gauged by six rainfall stations and two runoff flumes. Statistical analysis including annual average, standard deviation, maximum and minimum rainfall was carried out for the rainfall stations. The internal consistency of rainfall measurements of the six stations was examined by using the double mass curve technique. The results show that all station measurements are internally consistent. Gumbel distribution fits well the annual rainfall and can be used for future estimations. It provides means to understand and evaluate the distribution characteristics of the rainfall in the Faria catchment. Trend analysis of the rainfall has shows an increasing trend for the stations with high elevations and a decreasing trend for low elevated ones. The multiple regression analysis applied to the six rainfall stations proved to be strongly correlated. GIS-based KW-GIUH hydrological model was used to simulate the rainfall-runoff process in the Faria catchment. GIUH unit hydrographs were derived for the three sub-catchments of Faria namely Al-Badan, Al-Faria and Al-Malaqi. The KW-GIUH model is tested by comparing the simulated and observed hydrographs of Al-Badan sub-catchment for two rainstorms with good results. Sensitivity of the KW-GIUH model parameters was also investigated. The simulated runoff hydrographs proved that the GIS-based KW-GIUH model is applicable to semiarid regions and can be used to estimate the unit hydrographs in the West Bank catchments.

Full Article

Implications of Water Management Policies On Water Poverty in Palestine

Full Article

Development of Management Options for industrial Wastewater in Nablus City

Full Article

Rainfall - Runoff Process and Rainfall Analysis for Nablus Basin

Full Article

Rainfall-Runoff Process and Modeling for Soreq Stream Sub-Basin Near Jerusalem

Full Article

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT AND COST SAVING MEASURES IN SOME DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES IN PALESTINE

Abstract

In the thirty-three years since the first oil crises in 1973, there have been a number of studies of industrial energy use and the potential for energy conservation in industry of developed countries which have resulted in significant improvement in the efficient use of energy.

The developing countries are still in the process of gaining momentum in this field and are learning from the experiences of the industrialized nations.

The energy situation in Palestine, the efficient use of energy and energy conservation in industry is not in a better condition than most developing countries. In this thesis we tried to establish a start or a beginning step toward the efficient use of energy and energy conservation in industry through conducting energy analysis of industrial consumption in Palestine and through conducting energy audits in some industries in Palestine (Al Safa Dairy Factory, Al Carton Factory, Al Arz Ice –Cream Factory and Al Aqqad Textile Factory) which they considered high energy consumers and allocate the potential for energy savings opportunities.

This research aims to investigate the potential of energy conservation opportunities in some Palestinian industrial facilities. The main objective of the investigation is to identify the most energy intensive areas of the industries and suggest measures which can be implemented to conserve energy or reduce energy consumption.

It was showed that there is a decent potential for energy savings in the audited industrial facilities. The savings in electric energy was around 277,800 kWh per year and the fuel savings around 66,000 liters per year. On the national level (10 to 20%) savings from the total energy consumption in the industrial sector could be achieved by implementing some energy conservation measures (no and low cost investment) on the most energy consumption equipment in the facility such as boilers, compressors, lighting system and low power factor. Besides decreasing the demand on energy that enhancing the national economy, there is a huge reduction in the environmental emissions such as CO2 (175 tons reduction).

Full Article

Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Comparative Study Between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps

Abstract

This thesis is about the “Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A comparative Study Between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps” and aims studying household hazardous waste (HHW) to determine the type and the quantity of hazardous materials most commonly used at homes, the level of awareness of household heads concerning the disposal of these substances, the extent of hazardous substance-related accidents and injuries occurring at homes. It also suggests an integrated management plan for HHW taking into consideration different engineering measures for managing the HHW from the point of generation to final disposal.

Literature was collected and analyzed to identify the extent of the problem and its related issues. The questionnaire was distributed among 1300 households and a solid waste generation analysis was carried out during a 15 working days period with sorting 150 samples of 23 tons of municipality solid waste at Nablus solid waste transfer station.

HHW concentrations of 2.89% and 1.88% were detected in the Nablus city and its refugee camps respectively in proportion to the family income. Findings indicate that home products and personal care products most commonly consumed hazardous substances at homes and 17.9% of the study households have injuries, poisons and burns from accidents resulted from the use of these substances. The study also found that the level of households' awareness of hazardous substances is generally low and is in need of continuous improvement.

The results lead to many recommendations: a proposed management system for HHW management is needed that would help the Palestinian health to enhance and develop health and environmental services. A management system, including new approach for storage, collection, separation, transportation, treatment and disposal of HHW was proposed . This system will deal with at least 1600 tons/year of HHW in Nablus city and its refugee camps.

Full Article

Impacts of Solid Waste Leachate on Soil and its

Abstract Palestine is not like other countries; it has its special situation because of the Israeli occupation. The closure and segregation of the main roads of the Palestinian, leading to complicate the solid waste management problem and resulted in the usage of alternative uncontrolled dumping sites which may be polluted the soil and the ground water. The vulnerability map of West Bank notice thatmany Palestinian cities especially Nablus city have high vulnerability. Neither short nor long term effect of MSW on soil and ground water in Palestine were not adequately evaluated and there is need to explore these effects and impacts. So the aims for this study are: evaluate the temporal and spatial variations of MSW leachate in landfills, evaluate the impacts of MSW leachate on soil, and may be simulate the impacts of MSW leachate on ground water. These aims achieved by establishing a model similar the real dump site, which consists of: § Leachate extraction columns § Leachate application to soil columns Laboratory analyses: § Leachate: the samples were analyzed for MSW leachate parameter which are: pH, EC, TSS, TDS, BOD5, Ca, Mg, Na, K, CO3, HCO3, alkalinity, hardness, Sulfate, Phosphate, Nitrate, Cl, and Iron. § Soil: the soil properties which we tested were classified under two different categories; physical and chemical properties. · Physical analyses are: pH, EC, sieve analysis, hydrometer test. · Chemical analyses are: Nutrition that consists of K, Nitrite, and Phosphorus. Salt source that consists of Na, Ca, Mg, Cl. The results of this study demonstrated that · TSS and TDS of MSW leachate were increased with MSW depth and decreasing with increasing water addition. · SAR values of the soil impacted by MSW leachate and in all columns tested increased slightly with depth but remained within the excellent range of soils suitable for agricultural development. · Removal of pollutants from MSW leachate by passage through a soil. · Statistical analysis of quality data collected showed that responsive functions of elements under consideration using multiple liner regression were possible and adequately acceptable and can be used to predict those elements as a function of MSW elevation and extent of precipitation.

Full Article

MANAGEMENT OF NITRATE CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER USING LUMPED PARAMETER MODELS

Abstract

Many regions all over the world depend entirely on groundwater resources for various uses. Nitrate contamination of ground water can cause methemoglobinemia. Evidence indicates that nitrate levels routinely exceeded the maximum contamination level (MCL) of 10 mg/L NO3-N in 90 percent of the water supply wells in the Gaza costal aquifer (GCA). In addition, elevated nitrate concentrations are encountered in Gaza city and Jabalia camp (GCJC). In order to simulate the occurrences of nitrate contamination in GCJC area, a single-cell model was developed. This model was employed to study different management options and to determine their efficiency in decreasing the nitrate contamination in the study area for a specified time horizon. Main findings of the research showed that there is an emerging need to manage the nitrate contamination problem in the groundwater of the study area and single management options are not effective when considered individually. As such, the combination of management options ought to be considered if nitrate concentration to drop below the MCL.

Full Article

IMPACT OF PUMPING ON SALTWATER INTRUSION IN GAZA COASTAL AQUIFER, PALESTINE

Abstract

Gaza Coastal Aquifer (GCA) is the major source of water in Gaza Strip. Recent studies show noticeable deterioration in the water quality; where chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and fluoride concentrations are exceeding the maximum contaminant levels in most of the wells in Gaza Strip. Many agricultural wells are no longer used due to the high salinity. This high salinity is an indication of a phenomenon called saltwater intrusion which appears mainly in coastal aquifers due to the excessive pumping.

This study is an attempt to find out the impact of pumping on the hydraulic head at the coastline of Gaza Strip. To do so, a groundwater flow model was developed for GCA using MODFLOW-2000 based on data from the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA). The model was calibrated based on head observations obtained form PWA and contour maps from literature. The calibrated model was used to simulate the effects of pumping, recharge, and injection on water table elevation. The results show that GCA is sensitive to the above mentioned parameters.

Pumping has a great impact on water table elevations. A small decrease in total pumping (pumping from all of the wells) results in a noticeable decline in the areas that have water table elevations below mean sea level (MSL), which is in essence an indication of saltwater intrusion. Similar results were found when decreasing municipal and agricultural pumping.

Two potential solutions were simulated; reduction in pumping and the injection of water through wells. These two options eliminated the problem of saltwater intrusion. However, a thorough future analysis should include an economic feasibility study.

Full Article

Optimal Management of Groundwater PumpingThe Case of the Eocene Aquifer, Palestine

Abstract

The Eocene aquifer is an important source of water supply to local communities in Jenin district and parts of Nablus district. The aquifer is heavily utilized for agricultural activities in specific. It is believed that there is a potential for additional utilization of the aquifer through pumping. In order to verify this, a simulation/optimization model was developed in this study using the U. S. Geological Survery’s MODFLOW and GWM. The groundwater model was constructed and calibrated under steady-state conditions. Based on the calibrated steady-state groundwater flow model, the annual discharge from the Eocene aquifer outside the West Bank is about 55 million cubic meters. This simulation model was then utilized in the development of the GWM model (optimization) to find out the optimal pumping rates that the aquifer can sustain without depleting the aquifer. The outcome from the GWM model shows that 23 mcm can be safely pumped out from the Eocene aquifer through the existing wells. This is achieved under the assumption that the Israeli wells tapping the aquifer pumps 11.7 mcm and that the drop in the saturated thickness does not exceed 50%. Results are manifested and analyzed and the conculsions and recommendation are provided.

Full Article

DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR THE WEST BANK WATER RESOURCES USING WEAP

Abstract

Palestinians are living under conditions of repressed demand as result of the limitations on supply and restrictions on new water resources development due to the Israeli imposed military control over Palestinian water resources. The West Bank lacks proper water infrastructure resulted in huge losses in the delivery of water or unaccounted for water. Moreover, there is a significant shortage of capital for new infrastructure. The prevailing system of uncoordinated water resources management in the West Bank cannot sustain the ever-increasing water needs.

The study methodology consists of three components (1) data gathering and review (2) stakeholders field survey that determined key planning issues and questions needed and (3) WEAP model that aided to evaluate water resource management options for the West Bank.

The results obtained showed that water demand varies significantly according to the assumed political situation, and underlined the importance role of water management aspects. Also the results revealed that an additional amounts more than 700 MCM is needed to satisfy water needs and development, otherwise the gap between demand and supply will grow dramatically if current supply conditions continued. The results confirmed that WEAP can be applied as a decision support system (DSS) tool for the water resource management in the

Full Article

WASTEWATER CHARACTERISTICS AND THE IMPACT OF ITS USE IN IRRIGATION ON SOIL: THE CASE OF FARIA CATCHMENT

Abstract

The use of untreated wastewater in irrigation is a common practice in several countries such as Palestine. Since decades, Palestinians in many locations used raw wastewater for irrigation due to several reasons that include: (i) shortage of freshwater resources that can cover there domestic and agricultural needs, (ii) the Israeli control of the available freshwater resources, (iii) the wastewater is of costless value and (iv) the absence of enforceable regulations that restrict the use of wastewater in irrigation. Faria Catchment, Palestine is a representative example of the use of untreated wastewater in agriculture.

The goal of this research is to investigate and analyze the quality-related parameters of the wastewater used in irrigation in Faria Catchment. These parameters include pH, EC, Cl-, NO3-N, TP, Mg+2, Ca+2, hardness, HCO3-, Zn+2, K+, Cu+2, BOD5, Na+, SAR and turbidity. A second objective of this research is to compare these parameters with the international standards for using wastewater in irrigation. Thereafter, wastewater impacts on selected soil parameters such as pH, texture, accumulation of heavy metals in soil profiles, total carbon and total nitrogen were investigated.

Results show that wastewater quality varies spatially and temporally. However, the values of these parameters are extremely above the permissible limits for using wastewater in irrigation. The doses of industrial wastewater result in extreme values in certain parameters such as SAR, EC and Cl-. The use of wastewater in irrigation shows clear effects on the top soil texture, total carbon and total nitrogen amounts and the accumulation of heavy metals in soil profile especially arsenic, cadmium and lead.

Full Article

Integrated Water Resources Planning for

ABSTRACT

In Palestine, failure to account for long-term scenarios of water availability is a concern given the potential for severe drought and the continuing misallocation of water rights and water distributions as well as the lack of policies to support integrated water resources management. Analysis to assess how to design future water resources, facilities, and management scenarios based on future measures and management practices as well as rainfall patterns for Palestine are investigated.

This research focuses on building an IWRM model for Al Far'a catchment using WEAP program. After collecting all the required data and studying the existing situation, different scenarios are suggested here. Population growth was taken in to account in this work. The burgeoning population growth in Palestine is crucial to integrated water resources planning and management and is expected to increase the stresses on the already scarce water resources. The last step was calibrating the model to get the best fit model and better accuracy. Projection of these data into the future was approximated through many strenuous built-in relationships in WEAP model to assess the future water states. Thus, annual, and decadal future water availability is projected, characterized, and examined to support efficient and effective scenarios to sustain water resources management. This analysis of scenarios assessment and best management practices evaluation is performed for Al-Far'a watershed. Wherein, integrated water resource planning models that can simultaneously aggregate and process hydrologic and management elements are of paramount importance to aid decision planners evaluate the tradeoffs and priorities under different hydrologic realities and management objectives.

The utility of the analysis to highlight the need for alternative water supplies; to quantify groundwater recharge; to evaluate water conservation and fair water allocation policies; and to provide guidelines for future non-traditional water supply projects are also presented and discussed.

Full Article

Implications of Water Management Policies on

Abstract

This research aimed at understanding and describing the impacts of alternative governmental policies on water supply and demand, poverty and income, water quality and water-related eco systems, and food production and food security, on public, and estimating and analyzing water poverty index using various published methods.

To accomplish these objectives a field questionnaire and interviews have been developed.

The population of the questionnaire was the residents of the West Bank. Interviews were held with persons from West Bank Water Department, Palestinian Water Authority, and Municipalities.

The water poverty index was calculated using different approaches, Conventional Composite Index, Holistic, Matrix and WPI Pentagram, Simple Time Analysis, Falkenmark Water Stress.

It was found based on results of field survey that the best approach in estimating water poverty index was the Holistic approach, the estimated water poverty index was WPI= 39.5 percent which indicates that the region faces a serious water problem.

To analyze the results of the questionnaire, different statistical techniques have been used. These include means, standard deviations, and percentages, one way analysis of variance and Scheffe Post Hoc test, and independent T test.

The main findings of the research were:

Full Article

HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF PALESTINIAN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMSHYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF PALESTINIAN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS (JENIN WATER SUPPLY NE

HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF PALESTINIAN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

(JENIN WATER SUPPLY NETWORK AS A CASE STUDY)

Prepared by

Shaher Hussni Abdul Razaq Zyoud

Supervised by

Dr. Hafez Shaheen Abstract

The design of municipal water distribution systems in Palestine is implemented by using universal design factors without taking into consideration the effects of local conditions such as intermittent pumping, which is a way of operating the water distribution systems in most cities of developing world. By this way the water systems are divided into several pressure zones through which water is pumped alternatively and provided a large number of homes with a high quantity of water in a shorter period. This way makes the using of the roof storage tanks is very efficient during the non – pumping intervals, so that the hydraulic performance of the water networks expected to be affected by affecting the pressure and velocities values.

To investigate the behavior of the water systems under the action of intermittent pumping, the Jenin water distribution network has been taken as a case study and a procedure of modeling the system as in reality depending on operational factors, ways of operating and managing the system, representing each cluster of houses by one consumption node, making control by check valves, modeling the system by using (WaterCad Program). The outputs show that the network is exposed to relatively high values of pressure and velocity, which have negative effects on the performance of the network. The comparison of pressure results and field measurements at specific locations shows a reasonable and small difference.

The modeling

Groundwater Flow Modeling - Case Study of the EoceneAquifer in the West Bank, PalestineThe Eocene aquifer is one of the major groundwater basins in Pa

The Eocene aquifer is one of the major groundwater basins in Palestine. It is located at the northeastern part of the West Bank covering areas in both Jenin and Nablus districts. The aquifer is considered one of the main sources for fresh water for the majority of the population in the northern West Bank.

Many models have been formulated to develop the groundwater resources within the Eocene aquifer. In this thesis a simulation for the groundwater flow is developed.

MODFLOW, as a strong available groundwater modeling tool, has been used to model the Eocene aquifer. The groundwater budget, flow computation and flow pathlines were estimated and calibrated. Groundwater balance has been also evaluated.

The modeling indicated that the model runs only for certain initial hydraulic groundwater levels of more than 340m. The recharge and hydraulic conductivity were found to be the most sensitive model parameters. The hydraulic conductivity has resulted double of the original value in some areas. This is due to neglecting the faults and fractures effect. The recharge coefficients resulted in high inflow values. Groundwater balance indicated that the water budget of the Eocene aquifer totals about 72MCM/yr.

The simulation showed that the groundwater level increases gradually by increasing the recharge rate. The change of groundwater level is nearly linear. Due to the variation in the aquifer geometry, the groundwater levels were mild at the beginning and became steeper as the recharge ratio increase.

The groundwater levels showed higher sensitivity to hydraulic conductivity as its value increases from moderate to high or from moderate to low values.

There has been a reasonable matching between the observed and calibrated groundwater level and spring flows. The direction of the flow within the aquifer is from the south to north and northeast. The Far’ a spring system located in the south of the aquifer, seems to be the major sink point within the aquifer since it attracts most of the particle tracking lines in the model. This is due to its high discharge rates.

Based on the results of this study it is recommended that groundwater wells located or proposed at or near the anticlinorium should be designed and operated carefully. The gradients and the modeling results indicate that a substantial quantity of groundwater flow across the eastern and the northeastern boundaries, materialized as lateral subsurface outflow. It is recommended that this good quality water could be tapped and exploited. Field investigations are recommended to verify the geological conditions. It is recommended to monitor the existing wells and springs permanently and to construct a reasonable additional monitoring network. this package can be applied to model groundwater transport model for the Eocene aquifer. A finer grid is important in order to control the variation in hydraulic properties. In this study the effects of the fractures (due to the faults) are neglected. So it is recommended to assess carefully the effect of the faults on the actual hydraulic conductivity.

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