Water Use Efficiency
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Al-Quds University Water Use Efficiency Research Group
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- ItemStrengthening Water Scarcity Resilience through Transboundary Wastewater Management in Alignment with the National Water and Wastewater Management Strategy: A Case Study of Wadi Al-Sour, Hebron(Al-Quds University, 2025-05-21) Rita Abed Abed Samamqa; ريتا عابد عابد سمامقهscarcity is a pressing global issue and a growing concern in Palestine. This challenge is exuberating by limited natural water resources, the impacts of climate change, and geopolitical constraints. This study explores how transboundary wastewater management (aligned with the Palestinian National Water and Wastewater Management Strategy (2017–2022 and draft 2024–2029)) can contribute to strengthening resilience against water scarcity. Wadi Al-Sour catchment in Hebron Governorate was selected as a representative case study due to its transboundary nature and severe water stress. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining stakeholder interviews and roundtable discussions with quantitative analyses, including wastewater flow estimation and calculation of the Supply-Demand Balance Index (SDBI). Results show that the current domestic water supply in Wadi Al-Sour ranges from 63 to 77 liters per capita per day, which falls significantly below the WHO minimum standard of 100 L/c/d which indicate moderate to acute water scarcity. SDBI values between 0.63 and 0.77 further confirm persistent scarcity under current conditions. The transboundary wastewater issue in the area represents a growing environmental and political concern. Due to the lack of adequate treatment infrastructure and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities (particularly in Area C) untreated wastewater from Palestinian communities often flows into Israeli-controlled areas. In many instances, this has led to financial deductions from Palestinian tax revenues under the Polluter Pays Principle, without coordination or mutual agreement. Although no deductions have yet been imposed in Wadi Al-Sour, similar measures in other regions based on the wastewater generation, the PA could lose 60 million $ over the next 20 years. To address these challenges, three transboundary wastewater management scenarios were developed and assessed: Status Quo: Continued discharge of untreated wastewater across the border, increasing environmental risks and the likelihood of financial penalties. Decentralized Palestinian Treatment: Development of localized treatment facilities upstream to prevent cross-border discharge and enable reuse within Palestinian areas. Cooperative Management: Joint treatment and reuse projects between Palestinian and Israeli stakeholders, an approach that requires mutual agreement, legal clarity, and political will, which remain limited. This research offers a realistic framework for improving wastewater management and safeguarding Palestinian water rights. It demonstrates that enhancing local treatment capacity, reusing treated wastewater, and reducing non-revenue water (NRW) can minimize financial losses, support agriculture, and improve water security. The study also reinforces national strategic goals and contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Keywords: Transboundary wastewater management, water scarcity resilience, treated wastewater reuse, water resources management, national water strategy, environmental sustainability, political feasibility, wastewater treatment, non-conventional water resources
- ItemAssessing the Effects of Climate Change and Land Use on the Runoff Generation: Case Study Zomar Watershed(Al-Quds University, 2025-05-27) Rawan Zaid Ahmad Khader; روان زياد احمد خضرSurface runoff constitutes a critical component of the hydrological cycle, influenced by climate variability, land use changes, and topographical characteristics. In arid and semi-arid regions such as the West Bank, understanding the complex interplay between climate change and land use changes on runoff generation is important for implementing sustainable water resource management strategies and mitigating flood risks. The effects of climate change directly influence surface runoff through variations in temperature, evaporation, and the intensity, frequency, and distribution of precipitation. Additionally, urbanization and changes in land use result in a rise in impervious surfaces, which contributes to an increase in surface runoff and heightens the risk of flash floods. This study aims to assess the effect of climate change and land use transformations on surface runoff generation within the Zomar watershed, especially as it is situated between Nablus and Tulkarm cities, which are considered among the most densely populated cities. Given the urban expansion and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in the region, this comprehensive analysis quantifies these impacts and proposes evidence-based water management strategies. The research developed a hydrological model using the Watershed Modeling System (WMS) integrated with the Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS). The Zomar watershed was divided into three sub-catchments: Nablus, Tulkarm, and Burqa. To build the model, the study used a wide range of data, including daily rainfall records from 2000 to 2023, high-resolution land use maps generated from aerial imagery, and detailed information about soil and topography. The model was calibrated and validated using rainfall-runoff data that were observed during 2005–2006. For simulating infiltration, the Deficit and Constant method was applied, while the Clark Unit Hydrograph method was used to model the runoff process accurately. The findings demonstrate that the effects of climate change and land use changes have substantially increased runoff generation patterns throughout the Zomar watershed. Quantitative analysis showed that urbanization increased impervious surface coverage by 6.27% in the Nablus subcatchment, 5.03% in the Tulkarm subcatchment, and 1.94% in the Burqa subcatchment between 2000 and 2023, consequently reducing infiltration capacity and amplifying surface runoff volumes. The total surface runoff volume over 23 years is 12.5 MCM, with a surface runoff coefficient of 13.2%. The hydrological modeling established that rainfall intensity distribution patterns have a greater effect on runoff generation than cumulative seasonal precipitation. This was illustrated in the 2013-2014 season, in which rainfall was concentrated on specific days with high intensity, which produced significantly elevated runoff coefficients and peak discharges compared to seasons with comparable or greater total rainfall but more temporally distributed precipitation patterns. Spatial analysis revealed pronounced heterogeneity among the sub-catchments, with the Nablus sub-catchment generating the highest average runoff coefficient (20.6%) due to urban expansion, compared to Tulkarm (14.5%) and Burqa (5.72%). The study indicates that future urban expansion will increase surface runoff, heightening flood risks. This research conclusively establishes that the cumulative impact of climate change and land use changes significantly increases the risk of surface runoff and flash flooding within the Zomar watershed. The findings emphasize the urgent necessity for implementing integrated watershed management approaches, encompassing sustainable urban development policies, strategic enhancement of green infrastructure networks, and innovative water harvesting initiatives. These strategies are essential not only for effective flood risk reduction but also for optimizing water resource utilization in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing water security, climate resilience, and sustainable communities in vulnerable regions.
- ItemSewage sludge conversion to agricultural compost (Case Study: Jericho WWTP.)(Al-Quds University, 2024-08-27) Maram Jadallah Mohammad Nassar; مرام جادالله محمد نصارThere is a rapid increase in sewage sludge products, where approximately 6468 tons of sludge are produced annually in Palestine. Sludge can cause environmental and health problems if not managed properly, including surface and groundwater pollution, emission of foul odors, transmission of diseases and harmful microbes, impacts on ecological systems, and economic repercussions. as well as the absence of a long-term solution to the serious situation in Palestine. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the composting potential of sewage sludge with various bulking agents and to identify the most effective combination. Four trials of composting (Exp. 1, Exp. 2, Exp. 3, and Exp. 4) were carried out using sewage sludge, soil, Azolla, and palm leaves mixtures in all experiments. Palm leaves were proposed as a solution to another environmental issue because of the ecological harm they caused to Jericho City and the difficulty in getting rid of them. Additionally, Azolla was added because it contains important nutritional elements that help plants grow and flourish, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. In Exp. 4, Opuntia was added to the previous mixture instead of Azolla. Varying proportions of sewage sludge, Palm leaf, Opuntia (dry basis to moisture content 14–5%), and Azolla (wet basis to moisture content 88–8%) were used. The nutritional significance of Opuntia that lies in its ability to improve soil quality and support plant growth, which includes benefits like improving soil structure, providing nutrients, improving aeration, protecting against oxidation, and increasing water use efficiency in turned-windrows and open-air conditions. This research utilizes a rigorous analytical methodology that systematically examines all necessary elements. The composting process was monitored for temperature and moisture content (MC), while organic matter (OM), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and C/N ratio were evaluated post-composting. The assessment of operational parameters revealed that the highest levels of organic matter degradation (32.5%), pH (7.18), C/N ratio (1/25.8), temperature (44°C), and composting duration (3 months) was achieved with the Exp. 2 mixture. Additionally, the Exp. 1 and Exp. 4 mixtures also demonstrated success in terms of these operational parameters following Palestinian specifications (OM>35%, pH 5-85, C/N ratio (1/25). Using sewage sludge in composting procedures is important for agricultural waste management, cost-effectiveness, and process efficiency. This is especially true for palm leaves too, which were previously underutilized composting but showed encouraging results in this study. We found that the mixture Exp. 2 was the most successful in increasing growth, germination, stem length, and root density. The fourth Experiment was the next most effective. Then the first experiment. These results reflect the impact of different fertilizer components on plant growth and development. It is important to note that results in this study are solely derived from practical experiments, thereby enhancing the credibility of the findings.
- ItemAssessment of some selected pharmacutical residues from Wastewater Treatment Plant in Palestine(Al-Quds University, 2024-05-19) Mohammad Sobhe Samhan; محمد صبحي عبد القادر سمحانSewage Treatment Plants (STPs) around the world, including those in Palestine, are typically not designed to remove micro-pollutants such as pharmaceuticals. This can lead to STPs being a significant source of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment, including surface waters, coastal waters, and ground waters. The presence of these compounds, combined with their potential adverse ecological effects, makes them a problematic pollutant. A study was conducted to analyze the distribution of pharmaceutical residues in five conventional STPs of varying sizes in Palestine. The study also aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of treatment processes such as activated sludge and conventional wetlands, as well as advanced treatment processes called Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Wetland systems, which can be used as post-treatment secondary treatment steps to complement existing STP configurations. The study found significant variability in the removal of pharmaceuticals in the five STPs. The targeted pharmaceuticals were Atenolol, Carbamazepine, Caffeine, Cotinine, Erythromycin, Lidocaine, Metronidazole, Paracetamol, and Ranitidine. The removal of pharmaceuticals in the Al-Bireh treatment plant ranged from 0% for Lidocaine to 99.9% for Caffeine. In the Nablus treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 5.5% for Lidocaine to 99.8% for Caffeine. In the Misilya treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 47.5% for Ranitidine to 100% for Caffeine. In the Al-Aroub treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 19.6% for Erythromycin to 91.0% for Metronidazole. In the Kharras treatment plant, the removal of pharmaceuticals ranged from 16.4% for Atenolol to 91.8% for Metronidazole. The study found that STPs show only moderate removal of pharmaceuticals at best, and that the conventional treatment processes applied cannot achieve satisfactory removal of pharmaceuticals. Although the literature presents optimization measures that can enhance pharmaceutical removal in conventional processes, it still does not result in effective removal of pharmaceuticals. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of implementing advanced treatment processes such as NbS and Wetland systems as post-treatment steps in existing STP configurations to improve the removal of pharmaceuticals. Further research is needed to optimize these treatment processes and to better understand the ecological effects of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment.
- ItemPredictive modeling of haloacetonitriles under uniform formation conditions(Water Research, 2021-05-31) Ersan, Gamze; Ersan, Mahmut S.; Kanan, Amer; Karanfil, TanjuThe objective of this study was to develop models to predict the formation of HANs under uniform formation conditions (UFC) in chlorinated, choraminated, and perchlorinated/chloraminated waters of different origins. Model equations were developed using multiple linear regression analysis to predict the formation of dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN), HAN4 (trichloroacetonitrile [TCAN], DCAN, bromochloroacetonitrile [BCAN], and dibromoacetonitrile [DBAN]) and HAN6 (HAN4 plus monochloroacetonitrile, monobromoacetonitrile). The independent variables covered a wide range of values, and included ultraviolet absorbance, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, SUVA254, bromide, pH, oxidant dose, contact time, and temperature. The r2 values of HAN4 and HAN6 models of NOM, AOM, and EfOM impacted waters were within the range of 60-88%, while the r2 values of HAN4 and DCAN models for both groundwater and distribution systems were lower, in the range of 41-66%. The r2 values for the DCAN model were mostly higher in the individual types as compared to the cumulative analysis of all source water data together. This was attributed to differences in HAN precursor characteristics. For chlorination, among all variables, pH was found to be the most significant descriptor in the model equations describing the formation of DCAN, HAN4, and HAN6, and it was negatively correlated with HAN formation in the distribution system, groundwater, AOM, and NOM samples, while it showed an inverse relationship with HAN6 formation in effluent organic matter (EfOM) impacted waters. During chloramination, pH was the most influential model descriptor for DCAN formation in the NOM. Prechlorination dose was the most predominant parameter for prechlorination/chloramination, and it was positively correlated with HAN4 formation in AOM impacted waters.