Innovative Solution

Artificial Recharge, Wastewater, Alluvial Deposits, Groundwater, Jericho

technical

Institutional

The solution aim at improve the water quality and quantity of the Alluvial Deposits Aquifer in Jericho by adapting a Pilot project for artificial recharge by using the treated wastewater of Jericho Plant that will be constructed and operated in 2013. 

The solution will be implemented in the Jericho Area, West Bank, Palestine.  The targeted areas are considered as rural and agricultural areas affected by limited access to good water quality for agricultural purposes.

The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) is initiating and developing this project and trying to implement it with close cooperation and coordination with Ministry of Agriculture and with Jericho Municipality and with Agricultural Association in Jericho based on participatory approach.
The PWA with Jericho Municipality follow-up of the project activities.

- The PWA is already prepared water sector plan 2010-2013 that focus on provision of alternative water resources to cope water shortage problems and to improve water quality.
- PWA is already prepared a proposal for this project.
- PWA is already prepared hydrogeological assessment study to evaluate the proposed locations of artificial basin.

The artificial recharge steps by using treated wastewater could improve the water quantity and quality used for agricultural sector.
Once the project will be implemented, a water reallocation management plan will be considered to improve the socioeconomic pattern among the farmers.

Since alluvial deposits aquifer in Jericho is suffering from over pumping and drought effect which has led to problems such as severe decline in water level and increasing salinity in several production wells, the proposed solution will:
- provide additional quantities for the aquifer via tertiary treated wastewater water, this will recover the water level and quality in this aquifer
- Through its percolation to groundwater, additional infiltration will be made for the treated wastewater before pumping by agricultural wells
- Improve the Palestinian economic and agricultural sectors and Support Palestinians farmers to manage their own lands and crops.

1. Increasing water supply rates for farmers with at least 5% and improve water quality.
2. PWA with MOA and JM will ensure better O&M for the constructed facilities.
3- Protection of existing groundwater resources and ensure better management for these resources.
4- Water level in the alluvial deposits will be recovered with at least 20%.

 Farmers should be the most interested sector in this solution since this solution will provide them a water that has been treated and purified twice instead of once for agricultural usage.

- Human resources will be needed in all stages of solution, in addition to some infrastructures such as spreading pool, storage tanks, and pipelines.
- The proposed wastewater treatment plant in Jericho is the inspired project for this solution, the plant will be operated in 2013 with capacity of 9000 m3/day considering tertiary treatment.

The PWA is already prepared water sector plan 2010-2013 that focus on provision of alternative water resources to cope water shortage problems and to improve water quality.
- PWA is already prepared a proposal for this project.
-PWA is already prepared hydrogeological assessment study to evaluate the proposed locations of artificial basin.

International organizations (JICA, EU, World Bank, USAID, etc).

Eng. Deeb Abdelghafour, Director of Water Resources Development Dept,  PWA
Email: deeb_saleh2003@yahoo.com or dsaleh@pwa.ps
Website: www.pwa.ps
Tel: +97222429022, Fax: +97222429341
Mobile: +972598928295

Concept paper and assessment report.