Effectiveness of dredging and drains’ treatment on water quality of Rosetta branch

Abstract

Rosetta Branch of Nile River in Egypt receives drainage water from five agricultural drains deteriorating its water quality. Since the branch is used for irrigation and municipal purposes, its water quality should be enhanced. Hence, the current paper aimed at providing the most effective intervention to improve the branch water quality. Preventing drainage disposal was excluded due its significance to downstream users. The paper investigated the impacts of drains' treatment and branch dredging on hydrodynamics and water quality. The branch was numerically simulated using HECRAS model, and calibrated using measured water levels and quality parameters. The paper selected constructed wetlands as the most suitable method for drainage treatment based on conditions of study area. SUBWET model predicted optimal designs of wetlands achieving the desired treatment efficiency. SUBWET model was calibrated with experimental wetlands at Delta Barrage. Results showed that 1-m dredging dropped water surface elevations by 22 to 50 cm. Dredging had no significant changes in the backwater zone of Edfina Barrage at the branch end except for the maximum flow case. Simulation of dissolved oxygen and ammonium showed that dredging and treatment improved water quality. Drains’ treatment by constructed wetlands with selected designs was much more effective than dredging.