Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System Impact Assessment on Groundwater Resources: Case Study Dana Biosphere Reserve/Jordan

Ramia Al-Ajarmeh,Mahmoud Al-Alawneh

doi:10.5539/mas.v13n3p58

Abstract

Jordan is one of the world&rsquo;s most water-scarce countries. Almost all of the water supply systems in Jordan depend on groundwater and springs which are highly depleted. While only 60 percent of households in Jordan are connected to the sewage systems. Hence, there is a significant, untapped potential for decentralized approaches for wastewater management. DWWTS are environmentally sound and sustainable technology can be used for suburban and rural communities such the ones found in the Dana Biosphere Reserve area. Groundwater contamination risk is the critical point when implementing wastewater treatment systems including DWWTS. DRASTIC Model, an inexpensive method for evaluating the vulnerability of groundwater resources to pollution based on hydrogeologic settings, was applied to assess the groundwater contamination vulnerability in the study area. The DRASTIC index value indicates that the potential for polluting groundwater is low. This study recommends implementing DWWTS to serve communities in Dana Biosphere Reserve area emphasizing the development of groundwater monitoring program during the operation of the facility.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Highlights

Jordan ranks amongst the world's most water-scarce countries, and the limited water resources are being heavily overexploited
The DRASTIC model was developed by US EPA as "A Standardized System for Evaluating Groundwater Pollution Potential of Hydrogeology Settings." The model provides an inexpensive method for evaluating the vulnerability of groundwater resources to pollution based on hydrogeologic settings
Each parameter rating is multiplied by the weight to get a value for the parameter (Aller et al, 1987). These values are summarized to arrive at a pollution index, called DRASTIC index

Summary

Introduction

Jordan ranks amongst the world's most water-scarce countries, and the limited water resources are being heavily overexploited. About 80 percent of the Jordan is steppe and desert where water is minimally available. Almost all of the municipal water supply systems and industry in Jordan depend on groundwater and springs. Most of these sources are currently being extracted to or beyond the capacity of the reliable aquifer yields (Jordan Ministry of Water & Irrigation, MWI 2012). Only around 60 percent of households in Jordan are connected to the sewage systems. There is a significant, untapped potential for decentralized approaches for wastewater management

Methods

Results

Conclusion