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Ecological Integrity of a Peri-Urban River System, Chiraura River in Zimbabwe
Beaven Utete,
Rutendo Maria Kunhe
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
56-61
Received:
20 September 2013
Published:
20 October 2013
Abstract: Ecological integrity of a peri-urban river system facing a plethora of anthropogenic pressures was assessed through multivariate analysis of physicochemical parameters correlated to the resident macroinvertebrate community. Monthly collection of macroinvertebrates and concurrent measurement of the physical and chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration, percentage saturation of oxygen, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity and salinity) of water was done over a period of 5 months from November 2011- March 2012 in six sites across the Chiraura River. Macroinvertebrates were collected using the kick-net sampling technique, identified up to family level and enumerated at each site. Biodiversity indices were calculated for each site following the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5). A total of 1209 macroinvertebrates belonging to 49 families and11 orders were recorded in the Chiraura River. Most pollution sensitive taxa were found at sites 3 and 4 and the most pollution tolerant families were found at sites 1, 5 and 6. Sites4 and 5 of Chiraura River were the least polluted. Unsustainable anthropogenic activities, including industrial, domestic and urban agricultural activities affects water quality of Chiraura River. This is mainly through run-off and increased effluent to the river making routine water quality monitoring imperative.
Abstract: Ecological integrity of a peri-urban river system facing a plethora of anthropogenic pressures was assessed through multivariate analysis of physicochemical parameters correlated to the resident macroinvertebrate community. Monthly collection of macroinvertebrates and concurrent measurement of the physical and chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen ...
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Interactive Website with Systems Analysis Environment for Prefeasibility Studies of Small Scale Water and Power Production Units Integrating Renewable Energy
Djamal Boudieb,
Kamal Mohammedi,
Abdelkader Bouziane,
Youcef Smaili
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
62-67
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: This paper focuses on RESYSproDESAL systems analysis environment (SAE) for the prediction of technical, economic and ecological performance of water and power point systems including desalination (e.g. membrane and thermal processes), renewable energy sources for power (e.g. wind energy and photovoltaics) and conventional power supply (e.g. Diesel GenSet).This tool was developed within EU FP6 projects in cooperation between EU-MENA countries. The SAE is applied to a small scale container system for 10 m³/day seawater reverse osmosis desalination powered from Diesel and photovoltaics. Starting from a reference design case three alternative configurations and size are developed and analysed for comparison. The results show a considerable potential for economic improvement of the plant concept, bringing the project closer to affordability for the target population: Optimized Diesel and battery sizes reduce levelised water cost by about 15 %. Up-sizing the whole system from 10 to 50 m³/d and power recovery reduce specific power consumption by about 45 % and integration of water production with village power supply may meet user needs better and increase reliability of back-up.
Abstract: This paper focuses on RESYSproDESAL systems analysis environment (SAE) for the prediction of technical, economic and ecological performance of water and power point systems including desalination (e.g. membrane and thermal processes), renewable energy sources for power (e.g. wind energy and photovoltaics) and conventional power supply (e.g. Diesel ...
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Water Grabbing/ Land Grabbing in Shared Water Basins the Case of Salween River Hatgyi Dam
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
68-78
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Land grabbing by foreign governments and international companies is on the rise. Faced by population growth and an ever-decreasing availability of useable/affordable land in populace states, many are looking to buy land where it is available, predominantly for agricultural and industrial purposes. But land alone is not sufficient for either of these uses. The availability of useable water resources is also a prerequisite to each land purchase. To buy land is to own its green water and have access to any blue water available to it. The development of hydropower projects, however, endeavours to buy the use of blue water, and must also come with a purchase/lease of the surrounding lands. Thus, it can also be seen as a type of ‘water grabbing’. Where the locally affected, vulnerable, pre-existing stakeholders are against the project and the loss of livelihood and rights it engenders, a hydropower project may be labelled as a vehicle for water and land grabbing. For an international river, a part of a shared basin, the water grabbing affects stakeholders living under various political regimes and with disparate local power relations. The effects of the project on both sides of a border may be the same; however, the manner in which the two governments handle the effects will be different. The Case of the Hatgyi Dam development on the Salween River, a joint project between China, Myanmar and Thailand, is an example of the above. As a controversial dam being built on an international, border river, the Hatgyi Dam case study exemplifies many of the issues to be found in similar developments across the developing world.
Abstract: Land grabbing by foreign governments and international companies is on the rise. Faced by population growth and an ever-decreasing availability of useable/affordable land in populace states, many are looking to buy land where it is available, predominantly for agricultural and industrial purposes. But land alone is not sufficient for either of thes...
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Using Treated Wastewater as a Potential Solution of Water Scarcity and Mitigation Measure of Climate Change in Gaza Strip
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
79-83
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: The use of wastewater is one of the most sustainable alternatives to cope with water shortage in Gaza Strip (GS). It would have a number of advantages that include closing the gap between supply and demand, alleviating the pollution of fresh water resources, providing sound solution to water scarcity and potentially cover half of the total agricultural water demand in GS. Wastewater reuse could provide a mitigation solution to climate change through the reduction in green house gases by using less energy for wastewater management compared to that for importing water, pumping deep groundwater, seawater desalination, or exporting wastewater, and enrich the deteriorated soils in GS with more organic matter which lowering the application of chemical fertilizers. This paper investigated the effects of wastewater application on the level of organic matter and soil carbon sequestration which demonstrated by many experiments in Gaza Strip, which induced the possibility of wastewater as a mitigation measure of climate change.
Abstract: The use of wastewater is one of the most sustainable alternatives to cope with water shortage in Gaza Strip (GS). It would have a number of advantages that include closing the gap between supply and demand, alleviating the pollution of fresh water resources, providing sound solution to water scarcity and potentially cover half of the total agricult...
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Feasibility Study of AL-Masab AL-Aam Water Drainage in ThiQar and Treatment for Irrigation
Kadhim Naief Kadhim,
Abbas Yasir Hussein
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
84-89
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: The Irrigation sector in different part of world including Iraq is a major water consumer to produce adequate food for increasing high population growth and meeting the MGD food goal. The challenges for the Iraq agriculture sector are to increase food production through effective management of the available and potential water sources including drainage and treated waste water and at the same time conserve and protect its environmental.(Ayers, R. S., and D. W. Westcot. (1985). In Iraq, the water users in different districts and policy makers are showing increasing interest in increasing the reuse drainage water as means of augmenting dwindling useable water supplies. Waterhowever its quality must meet crop tolerance to achieve optimal production and reduce environmental impact. To evaluate feasible option this study is concerned with assessing the suitability of drainage water of Al-Masab Al-Aamlocated for irrigation with or without treatment. Al-Masb Al-Aam drainage passes through the territory of governorate of ThiQar for part of the course covering 180 km out of the565 km and the discharge of the total 220 m3 / . The approach is to evaluate the chemical and physical properties of drainage water from the nearby irrigated field and and the water of Al Gharraf river in the Al-Fajr city northern of Nassiriyah, and the water of the Euphrates River south of Nassiriyah. The drainage water was to be blend fresh water of the nearest river through revaluating different ratios of blending starting with R1 which represents 90% drainage water blended with 10% river water, R2 ( with 80% drainage water and 20% river water andand followed by blending ration up (R3 - R9)to nine trials. Monthly water samples were taken from four locations: two from drainagewater and two from rivers over the period from June 2011, to July 2012.Physically and chemically analyzed for EC,TDS, PH, Ca++, Mg++, Na+ , K+ , Cl- , SO4, NO3 , Turb. , PO4 and T.Hwere carried out on 48 samples. The analyses indicated that the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) for drainage water was less than 12, which is acceptable for irrigation use. In terms of salinity, the drainage water of Al-Masab Al-Aam its acceptable for irrigation because the halophytes can be irrigated with EC) less than 8000 Micro Siemens/cm. The blending between the drainage water and the fresh water of Al Gharraf river showed showed god blending ratio (R7) having the EC) less than 3000 Micro Siemens/cm.
Abstract: The Irrigation sector in different part of world including Iraq is a major water consumer to produce adequate food for increasing high population growth and meeting the MGD food goal. The challenges for the Iraq agriculture sector are to increase food production through effective management of the available and potential water sources including dr...
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Assessment of Institutional and Asset-Related Functions in the Urban Water Sector in Libya
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
90-94
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: The total urban water supply in Libya is about 600 million cubic meter per year, of which more than 90% came from groundwater. Surface water resources are minimal and Libya relies on wells, desalination and transported water for urban water supply. Transported water supply is essentially targeted towards the agricultural sector; however, the share of the urban sector has been increased to cope with increasing demand. This paper focuses on the organization of urban water sector with regards to institutional level and asset level, trying to high light the problems facing urban water sector and proposes solutions. In addition to the newly re-established Water and Wastewater Company, there are six main players in the urban water sector today that duplicate institutional and asset-based functions. Three of them deal with supply side (Desalination Company, Water Authority, and Man-made River Authority) and the other three deal with demand side (Ministry of Utilities, Project Execution Authority, and Environment Authority). After assessing the current situation of the urban water sector mainly around organizational consideration, one can conclude that in terms of institutional setup there is no clarity around supply/demand decisions. On the asset-related side, water and wastewater operations have been confused by frequent re-organizations. Apart from fragmentation, overstaffing of Water and Wastewater Company is significant, especially in light of the level of service provided to consumers. In order to build a professional urban water sector, in terms of institutional and asset-related levels, clear key functions for both levels have been proposed.
Abstract: The total urban water supply in Libya is about 600 million cubic meter per year, of which more than 90% came from groundwater. Surface water resources are minimal and Libya relies on wells, desalination and transported water for urban water supply. Transported water supply is essentially targeted towards the agricultural sector; however, the share ...
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Salinity of Drinking Water and its Association with Renal Failure in Gaza Strip, Palestine
Khalid Qahman,
Eman Abu-afash Mokhamer
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
95-107
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Gaza aquifer is the only natural water source for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes in Gaza Strip with a population of about 1.7 million. Current rates of the aquifer abstraction are unsustainable and deterioration of groundwater quality is documented in many parts of the Gaza Strip. The overall aim of this study was to determine salinity of drinking water and its association with renal failure in the southern part in Gaza Strip. Another aim was to explore the relationship between renal failure and socio-economic demographic variables. Descriptive, analytic design was used with survey samples from renal failure patients. A face to face questionnaire for renal failure patients was developed. The sample size for patients was 194subjects, with response rate of 70%. This rate was proportional with respect to its size. Reliability was approved by Cronbach alpha test, and validity was approved by content and face validity method. Analysis of the four quantitative extracted domains that reflected subjectsperception for drinking water salinity level in their localities. All water chemical tests of thesouthern municipal domestic wells have been reviewed since 1987. The tests were fluoride, chloride, nitrate, TDS, and sodium levels in all groundwater wells, which reveal a general trend of increasing from north to south in the southern part. The results show that only 8% of the municipal wells meet the WHO drinking standards in chloride level. Chloride, nitrate, TDS, fluoride and sodium concentration exceed 2-9 times the WHO standards in 92% of the southern wells. The study findings show that there was no association between renal failure prevalence and chloride level, sodium level, TDS level and nitrate level and showed only association with fluoride level, with which there was strong and positive association. There is an urgent need to modify the mixing process according to fluoride level, and initiate public information and awareness programs.
Abstract: Gaza aquifer is the only natural water source for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes in Gaza Strip with a population of about 1.7 million. Current rates of the aquifer abstraction are unsustainable and deterioration of groundwater quality is documented in many parts of the Gaza Strip. The overall aim of this study was to determine sali...
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Water Sector in Morocco: Situation and Perspectives
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
108-114
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Due to its geographic location, Morocco is characterized by a strongly contrasted climate, with its rainfall being highly irregular in space and time. The natural renewable water resources is estimated 22.8 billion m³/yearBCM of with the contribution of18 BCM from surface water and 4.8 BCM of groundwater recharge resulting in 730 m³/capita/year which is below the commonly accepted threshold of 1000 m³/capita /year .Despite the success of the past water policies initiated in the sixties, the future water sector management challenge of the water availability and demand must address the most urgent problems and make water a decisive factor in its sustainable development. In this challenging environment, Morocco has succeeded in ensuring the needs in domestic and industrial water and the development of large-scale irrigated agriculture. Despite these achievements, the factors that determine water availability and water needs have changed so much in recent decades that the country must adapt radically in order to prevent a critical situation. Many solutions exist. Their implementation within an innovative and integrated approach to the whole water sector should allow Morocco to address the most urgent problems and make water a decisive factor in its sustainable development. The new water strategy, implemented in 2009, is expected to support the development of the water needs for the development until 2030 through the implementation of integrated policy combining water conservation and resource mobilization in conventional and unconventional water while respecting the environment and the rights of future generations. The strategy will focus on three components; water demand management and water valuation, supply development and managementand preservation and protection of the water sources and the environment. Demand management measures is expected to save 2.4 BCM with contribution of 120 MCM to domestic, construction of 50 dams with additional capacity of1.7 BCM, water transfer of 800 MCM, 400 MCM of desalinated water, 300 MCM of wastewater reuse and increased recharge wastewater. Also implementation of all provisions of Law 10-95 on water, preservation of wetland, drought and flood risk management and enhance information system. These measures are expected to achieve sources sustainability and meeting water requirement.
Abstract: Due to its geographic location, Morocco is characterized by a strongly contrasted climate, with its rainfall being highly irregular in space and time. The natural renewable water resources is estimated 22.8 billion m³/yearBCM of with the contribution of18 BCM from surface water and 4.8 BCM of groundwater recharge resulting in 730 m³/capita/year whi...
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An Anthropological Approach to HEPPs in Eastern Anatolia: The Case of Aksu Valley
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
115-124
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Both water and development have very important functions in human life. Throughout the history, people have designed and constructed dams, reservoirs and irrigation systems to supply agricultural lands with water as well as converting water into energy as part of development projects. While water resources development projects are mostly preferred as they are cheaper and clean compared to other alternatives, impacts of such projects on people, their livelihoods and nature have been particularly devastating in many parts of the world such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. Recently, with an argument of increasing energy demand and reduction in dependence on imported energy, Turkish government has initiated some sort of “mobilization” for small hydroelectric power plants (HEPPs) to be run by private companies, particulary in the Eastern Anatolia and Black Sea regions. Despite recent initiatives, there is no established water policy in Turkey. Outsourcing control over free-flowing streams out of local representational structures into the hands of private companies has resulted in social movements and protests against these projects. I conducted a fieldwork in one of the valleys in Eastern Anatolia where two HEPPs have been constructed. Methods used during the 8-week fieldwork included participant observation, focus group studies and in-depth interviews. Privatization of the water resource in the Aksu Valley (formerly Salaçor) not only gave the entire control of water to the contractor company for 49 years, but also left all the public services in the valley to the mercy of the company while use of water has been historically well-managed by the local community, who was in control and distribution of the water. This paper discusses outcomes of the HEPP project in daily life of the local people in Aksu Valley, asserting that users of water resources should have been considered as participants in water management, planning, and decision-making of development projects. A drop of water is a sea to an ant, Afghan proverb
Abstract: Both water and development have very important functions in human life. Throughout the history, people have designed and constructed dams, reservoirs and irrigation systems to supply agricultural lands with water as well as converting water into energy as part of development projects. While water resources development projects are mostly preferred ...
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Quantification of Bacteria in Domestic Water Storage Tanks in Sharjah
Ala H. Amiri,
Ruwaya R. Alkendi,
Yasser T. Ahmed
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
125-132
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Maintaining the microbiological quality of water is an important means of preventing water-bornediseases. The aim of the present study was to use the Membrane Filter (MF) method to examine the level of coliforms (Escherichia coli)and total bacteria in water storage tanks fitted in different homes in Sharjah. The MF method can determine the presence or absence of bacteria within only 24 hours. A volume of 100ml of water sample is filtered through bacterial retaining membrane; the membrane is then transferred to a selective media and incubated for 24h at 37ᵒC to enable the growth of the bacteria. On the growing plates, Total Bacterial Count (TBC) shows as yellow colonies, Total coliforms (TC)shows as dark red colonies and E. colishows as dark blue colonies. Eleven houses were sampled for along a period of six weeks. Samples were collected from two storage tank levels (ground level and roof top level) located in each house. The results showed that, although none of the samples contained E. coli, they did contain other coliforms. The absence of E.coli indicate no fecal contamination by animal and/or human, on the other hand, other Coliform bacteria were present in water which are usually introduced by the environment such as Klebsiella, Enterobacter spp., and Serratia. These isolates pose a health risk if they reach the human system. More than half of the samples collected (72.7%) showed a high TBC (>10CFU/100ml), which suggests further investigation is needed to examine the sources of contamination to the storage tanks. The bacterial contaminants found in the storage tanks usually come from the environment which may indicate the presence of other contaminants like chemical contaminants that are also found in the environment and entered via the same route to the storage tanks. The results of this study suggest the adoption of a cleaning system for the water tank at least twice a year to prevent accumulation of contaminants. In addition, the results suggest that chemical contaminants might be present in the water, therefore, chemical analysis is recommended.
Abstract: Maintaining the microbiological quality of water is an important means of preventing water-bornediseases. The aim of the present study was to use the Membrane Filter (MF) method to examine the level of coliforms (Escherichia coli)and total bacteria in water storage tanks fitted in different homes in Sharjah. The MF method can determine the presence...
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Biological Treatment of Textile Wastewater and Its Re-Use in Irrigation: Encouraging Water Efficiency and Sustainable Development
S. Senthil Kumar,
Mohamed Jaabir
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
133-140
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: The present study focused on the isolation of potential bacteria from contaminated soil of textile industries and subsequent employment of those organisms in treatment of textile waste-water. Wastewater was treated by novel isolates and the biologically treated wastewater was used for the irrigation (phytotoxicity evaluation) of two important edible crop plants (Brassica nigra and Cyamopsis tetragonolobus). For this, plants were grouped as I, II, III and IV that received the tap water, raw effluent, chemically treated and biologically treated wastewater respectively. 46 bacterial isolates were obtained and optimization of parameters revealed that one strain, namely UBL-27 (Comamonas sp. UBL 27) decolorized the wastewater to a max. of 80% in static (anoxic) condition at pH 8 in 24 hours at 32oC. There was a remarkable performance in the germination percentage under biologically-treated wastewater to about 83.6% when compared to that of Control Group producing 92.9%. In contrast to this, the germination % was significantly too low (p≤0.05) in the other cases with the raw wastewater and chemically treated wastewater. The wastewater had marked effect on the growth of the Brassica nigra, the height of the plant was higher in the biologically treated effluent (11.2 ± 0.4 cm) and control group (12.1±0.2) than Group II (8.9±.17 cm) and Group III (9±0.2 cm). Weight of the plant was 1.95±0.35 g and 1.68±0.47 g in Group I and Group IV. It was significantly lower in case of Group II and Group III. In Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, heights of the plant among the four groups at the end of 80 days were 102.3±3.4, 52±7.6, 45.3±4.9 and 92.8±5 cm respectively. Similarly, no. of leaves/plant among the four groups was 49.2±3.2, 26.8±4.5, 32±2.4 and 47±4.5. Total yield of the plant under the experimental area for Group I was 3.15±0.09 kg while that of the Group IV was 2.92±0.09 kg. The yield was significantly lower in the Group II and III such as 1.67±0.17 kg and 2.06±0.22 kg respectively. To consolidate, the raw effluent has decreased the yield by more than 45% (p≤0.05) while that of the chemically treated group by more than 30%. Though, biologically treated wastewater may not be absolutely fit for drinking purposes or for recycling in dyeing processes, it is proved from this, that the eco-friendly alternative can be used for the irrigation purposes beside abatement of water and soil pollution.
Abstract: The present study focused on the isolation of potential bacteria from contaminated soil of textile industries and subsequent employment of those organisms in treatment of textile waste-water. Wastewater was treated by novel isolates and the biologically treated wastewater was used for the irrigation (phytotoxicity evaluation) of two important edibl...
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The Long Empty Canyon: A Study of the Old/New Legal Problems of the Nile Basin
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
141-154
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: The Nile River Basin witnesses a long history of tension and negotiation among riparian states. There are two legal frameworks govern the Nile Basin. Firstly, the private legal framework reflected in legal history on the Nile. The most legal active period among Nile Basin states was the period between 1890th and 1930th. The legal solutions to the Nile Basin problems came to an end with the end of the colonization in Africa, especially the Nile riparian states. During this period, the tension among liberal states took a different shape. Harmon and Nyerere doctrine were introduced among the riparian states. This led to the refutation of most of the private legal framework from most of the independent states. Thus, riparian states started to explore new legal ground to regulate their relationship. On the other hand, the public legal framework represented in the work of the International Law Association, which started with Helsinki rules in 1966, and the 1997 UN Convention. Many scholars argue that the legal solution is the best one for the Nile question, based on the previous frameworks. However, this note argued that the international legal framework governing the international rivers generally and the Nile specifically cannot offer a solution to the disputes over the water of the Nile. This note discusses both the legal frameworks of the Nile on one hand. On the other hand, it highlights the points of indeterminacy of both frameworks to solve the Nile dilemma. It argues that the solutions of the present and future disputes through legal tools are not enough. This note goes beyond the most proposed recommendation to form a comprehensive treaty as the solution to the riparian problems. It asserts that the law is not a tool to end the states tension, rather than it is a tool to persevere good faith and prevent future dispute. A main role of the extra legal solutions must be played. It based its argument on substantive and formulate dilemma in the previous frameworks.
Abstract: The Nile River Basin witnesses a long history of tension and negotiation among riparian states. There are two legal frameworks govern the Nile Basin. Firstly, the private legal framework reflected in legal history on the Nile. The most legal active period among Nile Basin states was the period between 1890th and 1930th. The legal solutions to the N...
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