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Groundwater Quality Modeling and Mitigation from Wastewater Used in Irrigation, a Case Study of the Nile Delta Aquifer in Egypt

Author

Listed:
  • Isamil Abd-Elaty

    (Water and Water Structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt)

  • Shaimaa M. Abd-Elmoneem

    (Belbis Engineering High Institute, Belbis 44519, Egypt)

  • Gamal M. Abdelaal

    (Water and Water Structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt)

  • Jakub Vrána

    (Institute of Building Services, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Zuzana Vranayová

    (Institute of Building Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 04200 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Hany F. Abd-Elhamid

    (Water and Water Structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
    Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 04200 Kosice, Slovakia)

Abstract

Groundwater is an essential freshwater source because traditional sources of freshwater, such as rainfall and rivers, are unable to provide all residential, industrial, and agricultural demands. Groundwater is replenished by different sources: rivers, canals, drains, and precipitation. This research aims to apply numerical models for a real case study (Bahr El Baqar drain) in the Eastern Nile aquifer to monitor groundwater quality due to the use of wastewater from drains directly in irrigation due to the shortage of freshwater in this area. In addition, the effect of over-pumping from the aquifer is studied to show the extent of contaminants in groundwater. Moreover, a management strategy was achieved through mixing treated wastewater with freshwater to reduce the contamination of groundwater and overcome water shortage. Visual MODFLOW is used to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport into the Eastern Nile aquifer (ENDA), Egypt. In this study, three stages including 15 scenarios (five scenarios for each stage) were settled to achieve the study objectives. The first stage was carried out to investigate the impact of using untreated wastewater for irrigation due to the shortage of freshwater in this area. The results of this stage showed that increasing the use of untreated wastewater increased the contamination of the aquifer. The average COD concentrations in the five scenarios reached 23.73, 33.76, 36.49, 45.13, and 53.15 mg/L. The second stage was developed to evaluate the impact of over-pumping and using untreated wastewater for irrigation due population increase and a reduction of freshwater in the Nile Delta. The results revealed that over-pumping has increased the contamination of the aquifer and the average COD concentrations increased to 25.3, 33.34, 40.66, 48.6, and 54.17 mg/L. The third stage was applied to investigate the impact of mixing treated wastewater with freshwater for irrigation to support the freshwater quantity. The results of this stage led to enhanced water quality in the aquifer and the average COD concentrations decreased to 20.26, 23.13, 26.03, 30, and 32.83 mg/L. The results showed that mixing freshwater with treated wastewater has a good influence on water quality, can be safely used in irrigation and reduces the effects on farmers’ health and life.

Suggested Citation

  • Isamil Abd-Elaty & Shaimaa M. Abd-Elmoneem & Gamal M. Abdelaal & Jakub Vrána & Zuzana Vranayová & Hany F. Abd-Elhamid, 2022. "Groundwater Quality Modeling and Mitigation from Wastewater Used in Irrigation, a Case Study of the Nile Delta Aquifer in Egypt," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:14929-:d:971318
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qadir, Manzoor & Wichelns, D. & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Minhas, P. S. & Drechsel, Pay & Bahri, Akissa & McCornick, Peter G. & Abaidoo, Robert Clement & Attia, F. & El-Guindy, S. & Ensink, J. H. J. & Jim, 2007. "Agricultural use of marginal-quality water: opportunities and challenges," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Qadir, Manzoor & Wichelns, D & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Minhas, P. S. & Drechsel, Pay & Bahri, Akissa & McCornick, Peter G. & Abaidoo, R. & Attia, F. & El-Guindy, S. & Ensink, J. H. J. & Jimenez, B. & Ki, 2007. "Agricultural use of marginal-quality water: opportunities and challenges," IWMI Books, Reports H040204, International Water Management Institute.
    3. van der Hoek, W. & Ul Hassan, M. & Ensink, J. H. J. & Feenstra, S. & Raschid-Sally, L. & Munir, S. & Aslam, R. & Ali, N. & Hussain, R. & Matsuno, Y., 2002. "Urban wastewater: A valuable resource for agriculture - A case study from Haroonabad, Pakistan," IWMI Research Reports H030847, International Water Management Institute.
    4. van der Hoek, Wim & Ul Hassan, Mehmood & Ensink, Jeroen H.J. & Feenstra, Sabiena & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Munir, Sarfraz & Aslam, Rizwan & Ali, Nazim & Hussain, Raheela & Matsuno, Yutaka, 2002. "Urban wastewater: A valuable resource for agriculture - A case study from Haroonabad, Pakistan," IWMI Research Reports 44566, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Nicoleta Ungureanu & Valentin Vlăduț & Gheorghe Voicu, 2020. "Water Scarcity and Wastewater Reuse in Crop Irrigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Ismail Abd-Elaty & Alban Kuriqi & Abeer El Shahawy, 2022. "Environmental rethinking of wastewater drains to manage environmental pollution and alleviate water scarcity," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 110(3), pages 2353-2380, February.
    7. Hany F. Abd-Elhamid & Shaimaa M. Abd-Elmoneem & Gamal M. Abdelaal & Martina Zeleňáková & Zuzana Vranayova & Ismail Abd-Elaty, 2021. "Investigating and Managing the Impact of Using Untreated Wastewater for Irrigation on the Groundwater Quality in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-17, July.
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