Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume 9, No.1 2013

Effect of Septic Tanks and Agricultural Wastes on Springs' Water Quality Deterioration in Wadi Shu'eib Catchment Area-

Noor M. Al-Kharabsheh1*, Atef A. Al-Kharabsheh2 and Othman M. Ghnaim3

ABSTRACT

In the Wadi Shu'eib Catchment Area water sources from local springs are harvested for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. A significant portion of these springs' water is not properly treated. The deterioration of water quality of these springs is caused by agricultural activities and septic tanks. This study aims at defining the current level of pollution by conducting physical, chemical and biological analyses. According to the Jordanian Standards (JS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking water, Hazzir, Jadour Fouqa and Jadour Tahta springs are polluted with nitrate and Hazzir is the only spring polluted with phosphate.

Furthermore, all of them exceed the permissible limits of COD, BOD5 and Total Coliform. All of these springs can be used for irrigation. There is a distinct relationship between the geology of the study area which is superjacent with the Upper Cretaceous Limestone rocks and seepage of wastewater into the groundwater.

Keywords: Septic Tank, Spring, Catchment Area, COD, BOD5, Total Coliform, Cretaceous Limestone Rocks.

INTRODUCTION mitigating the water deficit in Al- Governate (Al- Kharabsheh et al., 2002). The surrounding area of the Jordan, as a country situated in a semi arid to arid Wadi Shu-eib Catchment is densely populated and region, is suffering from significant water shortage. suffers from a poor water infrastructure that connects About 80% of the country is arid and desert, in addition municipal and domestic water sources with local septic to that, an increase in population has led to the tanks (Werz, 2006). The septic tanks infiltrate effluence exploitation of all available water resources and into the soil with drain field (cesspools) that consists of increased pollution has led to the deterioration of water porous walls to allow effluent water to seep into the quality. Some of the selected springs in the study area, ground (Bouwer, 1978). The study area has joints and Wadi Shu'eib Catchment Area, are considered as main faults that distribute in the limestone aquifers of Upper sources of drinking water. Others are used primarily for Cretaceous rocks (Bender, 1974). These joints and faults agricultural purposes, and play an important role in cause pollution of the springs' water source when liquid pollutants seep into the water table. 1Department of Water Resources and Environmental This study intends to analyze the current situation in Management, Faculty of Agriculture Technology, Al-Balqa' Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan order to study water quality, of the 22 major springs in 3Department of Planning, Faculty of Planning and Management, the catchment area, see Table (1) (Natural Resources Al-Balqa' Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan * Corresponding Author Authority, 1966). Figure 1 shows the locations of the Received on 10/1/2011 and Accepted for Publication on studied springs and Al-Salt Wastewater Treatment Plant 28/6/2012. (SWWTP) in Wadi Shu'eib Catchment Area. The study

© 2012 DAR Publishers/University of Jordan. All Rights Reserved. -86- Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume 9, No.1 2013 area is located in the western part of Jordan and covers dry summers and cool to cold wet winters (Ministry of an area of about 185 Km2, between Palestine grids 209- Transportation, 1994) and the temperatures have large 229 East and 144-165 North. The general slope has an seasonal and diurnal variations ranging from a maximum east to west orientation and varies from 4 to 7.5 percent. of around 47 C° in August to -4 C° in January. The The elevation ranges from 1118 m above mean sea level annual precipitation results largely from orographic (amsl) at Al-Salt City to about 100 m below mean sea effects, ranges between 300 mm at Deir Alla and 600 level (bmsl) at Shunet Nimrin. Average elevation of the mm at Al-Salt rainfall station. catchment area is about 600 m average mean sea level The geology of the study area consists of arenaceous (amsl) (Werz, 2006). Figure 2: a, b and c show the deposits of Lower Cretaceous Sandstone sequence location of the study area in Jordan, the location and (Kurnub) and the Upper (Middle to Upper) Cretaceous extent of the Middle East, and the Wadi Shu'eib Limestone sequence. These arenaceous deposits are Catchment Area with major streets. There are several subdivided into three groups, Kurnub group (K) for Lower wadis in the catchment. Main wadis are Al-Salt, Es Cretaceous Sandstone and, Balqa/Ajlun groups (B/A) for Sabil, El Amir, Shu'eib, Hadiya, Tarazin and Jaria. All Upper Cretaceous Carbonate sequence which are underlain of these wadis drain from east to west toward Jordan by the Kurnub (K) layer composed of sandstone layers of Valley. The study area has a predominantly Lower Cretaceous period which crops out at the lower limit Mediterranean type climate. It is characterized by hot of Wadi Shu'eib Catchment Area.

Table 1: Springs located in the study area and the aquifer types (Natural Resources Authority, 1966). Palestine Grids Name of Spring Aquifer Type Altitude North East Jadour Fouka 159.8 219.2 A7 (Wadi Es-Sir Formation) 775 Jadour Tahta 160 219.2 A7 (Wadi Es-Sir Formation) 750 Hazzir 158.4 219.6 A4 (Hummar Formation) 650 Baqourieyyeh 155.3 219.4 A7 (Wadi Es-Sir Formation) 390 155 222.7 A1/2 (Na'ur Formation) 785 Um Zarrorah 159.3 227.6 A1/2 (Na'ur Formation) - Azraq Fuhais 158.81 222.05 A7 (Wadi Es-Sir Formation) 750 Shorea' 157.75 221.05 A7 (Wadi Es-Sir Formation) - Um Jurban 154 222.25 A1/2 (Na'ur Formation) 750 Al-Alali 156.4 223.32 A7 (Wadi Es-Sir Formation) -

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Figure 1: Locations of the studied

springs and Al-Salt Wastewater

Treatment Plant (SWWTP) in Wadi

Shu'eib Catchment Area.

Figure 2: a) Location of the study area in Jordan, b) Location and extent of the Middle East, after (Werz, 2006).

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The aquifer systems in the study area are divided into of springs' catchment areas in the study area. Upper Cretaceous and Lower Cretaceous Aquifers Additionally, it shows the connection of the number of (Kurnub sandstone). Upper Cretaceous Aquifer consists the houses which use septic tanks and the level of water of Ajlun and Balqa groups. The Ajlun group (A1/7) pollution in the studied area. Furthermore, it evaluates forms the main aquifer system in the study area and the the suitability of springs' water quality for drinking water bearing formations are mainly limestone, purposes through microbiological, biochemical and dolomitic limestone and marlstone reaching a total chemical analyses that were carried out on all samples of thickness of about 460 m. There are three water bearing selected springs in the study area. formations which are: Nau'r (A1/2), Hummar (A4) and Wadi Es-Sir (A7) (Table 1). The other formations which 1. MATERIALS AND METHODS are Shu'eib (A5/6) and Fuheis (A3) formations are Examination of water quality involves the considered as aquitards and this group consists of marine determination of microorganisms, minerals and organic sediments of Cenomanian-Turonian age (McDonald et compounds contained in the water. Chemical, al., 1965). The Balqa Group overlies Ajlun Group with a biochemical and biological analyses were performed on sequence of predominantly carbonate rocks of abundant water samples to determine the water quality. These chert. This group is subdivided by McDonald into five samples were taken from 10 representative springs that formations (B1-B5) in 1965; two of these (B1 and B2) are distributed in four locations; Al-Salt city, Fuheis, formations are exposed in the highlands of the study Mahis and Wadi Shu'eib. This was on a monthly basis area. The Ruseifa (B1) formation is an aquitard due to its extended during 12 months from March to February. composition; marls and chalks which are generally The samples were kept cold until analysis. The analyses having varying low transmisivities. (B2) of all the parameters were carried out in the laboratories formation consists of chert, marl and limestone yields of the Department of Water Resources and water and drains in the study area. The Lower Environmental Management in Faculty of Agricultural Cretaceous Aquifer consists of the Kurnub sandstone Technology at Al-Balqa Applied University. The and is composed of massive white sandstones and analytical methods used for the analyzed parameters in varicolored sandstones reaching a total thickness of the study are listed in Table (2). These analytical about 300 m (Bender, 1974). No significant springs techniques were performed according to the procedures emerge from this aquifer, due to considerable drilling mentioned in Standard Methods for the Examination of depths, large pumping lifts, low permeability and poor Water and Wastewater, 21th Edition 2005 (American chemical quality. The geological structures of the area Public Health Association (APHA) et al., 2005). are highly related to structural faults of the Jordan Rift This study also presents data for the number of houses Valley which increases permeability of aquifers and for Al-Salt city, Fuheis, Mahis and Wadi Shu'eib connected produces discharges as spring flow (Ta'any and Al- to sewer system and septic tanks for the year 2009, see Kharabsheh, 2002). Table (3). This data was taken from the Department of The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the General Statistics (DGS), Amman-Jordan. effects of recent or old septic tanks around the locations

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Table 2: Analytical methods used in determination of various parameters (APHA et al., 2005). Parameter* Analytical Methods EC Electrical Conductivity-Meter - NO3 Spectrophotometer (Ultraviolet Spectrophtometric Screening Method), Wavelength 220 nm. 3- PO4 Spectrophotometer (Stannous Chloride Method), Wavelength 690 nm COD Closed Reflux Titrimetric Method: titration by using Potassium Dichromate

BOD5 5-Days BOD Test, with DO measurement by: Membrane Electrode Method MPN Total Coliform Test - 3- *: EC; Electrical Conductivity, NO3 ; Nitrate, PO4 ; Phosphate, COD; Chemical Oxygen Demand, BOD5; Biological Oxygen Demand (five days), MPN; Most Probable Number

2. Results and Discussion located within residential area of domestic and municipal 3.1 Water quality for drinking purposes activities. However, Azraq Fuheis spring is surrounded by a Increased water scarcity is a significant issue facing few houses located faraway in two directions. Table 3 Jordan today. This is due to arid to semi arid climate, shows the numbers of houses that are connected to sewer high population growth, depletion and pollution of system and septic tanks for the year 2009. About 80% of available water resources. However, there are many the houses within the borders of Fuheis Municipality have efforts to solve this chronic problem. Characterizing been connected with the sewer system (Ministry of springs' bounded circumstances (i.e. spring's location in Municipality Affairs of Jordan, 2009) and for Mahis the vicinity of residential areas), is a crucial step. It was Municipality only 65% (Ministry of Municipality Affairs of along with collecting the springs' water samples monthly Jordan, 2009), whereas 78 % in Al-Salt Municipality have for one year. This assisted to identify the potential been connected (Ministry of Municipality Affairs of Jordan, pollution source and the concentration of pollutants, in 2009). In Wadi Shu'eib Area all of the houses are totally order to pave the way to set the proper protection zones, dependent on connection with septic tanks to discharge management measures, treatment processes and their wastewater. distribution system operating conditions that would reasonably be expected to achieve health targets if Table 3: Numbers of houses for Al-Salt, Fuheis, improvement is required. Mahis and Wadi Shu'eib connected to sewer system The increasing demand for housing, employment and septic tanks for the year 2009 (DGS Open Files). opportunities, institutions and other urban facilities and Number of houses services due to increasing numbers of population and City /Town migration of rural and towns' dwellers to urban areas is Sewer system Septic tanks leading to drastic changes of urban land covers. It is Al-Salt 10474 3664 believed to be the main factor contributing to the Fuheis 2208 377 degradation of quality of the natural environment, Mahis 1577 495 especially water (Fedra, 1993). All selected springs are Wadi Shu'eib 0 135

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Three of the representative springs are located in the The main outcomes of interest so far have been low birth Fuheis Municipality (Azraq Fuheis, Um Zarrorah and weight, preterm delivery, spontaneous abortions, Al-Alali). The other two representative springs in the stillbirth, and birth defects- in particular central nervous Mahis Municipality (Um Jurban and Mahis), three system, major cardiac defects, oral cleft, and respiratory, springs in Wadi Shu'eib Area (Hazzir, Shorea' and and neural tube defects (Miranda et al., 2009). Baqouriyyeh), and the last two springs (Jadour Fouqa Therefore, the necessity has grown up to guide the and Jadour Tahta) are located in the western part of Al- operators and supervised parties to use other safe Salt City. The water of the following springs are used for disinfection options rather than chlorination which is drinking purposes: Hazzir, Shorea', Baqouriyyeh, Mahis applied for some of these springs' water but not for all. and Azraq Fuheis and all of them are disinfected by The rest of springs' water is consumed without specialized parties and this is done through chlorination. disinfection. This disinfection option is usually used for drinking On the other hand, the springs of Um Jurban, Jadour water in developing countries and has been the major Tahta and Um Zarrorah are used by residents for drinking disinfectant process for domestic drinking water for purposes without any kind of treatment. Jadour Fouqa many years. (WHO, 2009). Why are they using spring is used for agricultural purposes and other domestic chlorination? Because it has low cost also it is safe to uses and Al-Alali spring which is under the authority of handle and easy to dose and it is done primarily with Fuheis Cement Factory is used for industrial purposes. free chlorine, either in liquid or in dry form (WHO, To evaluate the suitability of water quality for 1997; WHO, 2009). drinking purposes; microbiological analyses (Total

However, concern about the potential health effects Coliform/ MPN), biological test (BOD5) and chemical - 3- of byproducts of chlorination has prompted the tests (NO3 , PO4 and COD) were carried out on the investigation of the possible association between springs' water samples. The results of the ten springs' exposure to chlorination byproducts and incidence of water analyses and their descriptive statistics are listed in human cancer, and more recently, with adverse the Tables (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13). reproductive outcomes (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2009).

Table 4: Results of analyzed parameters of Jadour Fouqa spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis

Std. Std.

y r y Average Deviation ar ber ber Minimum Maximum Parameter July May June June April April mber Septe Febru March Decem Novem Octobe Januar August

- NO3 (mg/L) 89.9 83.9 75.9 78.4 95.9 98.7 98.2 100.5 105 103.5 101.3 118.2 95.8 75.9 118.2 12.0

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.2 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 12 12.4 15.6 29.9 30.7 30.4 13.6 36.3 21.8 19.2 19.2 77.3 26.5 12 77.3 17.9

COD (mg O2/L) 26.2 19.2 21.2 64 67.1 68.5 20 57.6 32 27.6 27.6 117 45.7 19.2 117 29.7

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 900 1100 3000 2600 1100 1100 900 400 500 210 210 81 1008.4 81 3000 920.1

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Table 5: Results of analyzed parameters of Jadour Tahta spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum March April May June July August September October November December January February Maximum Std. Deviation Deviation Std.

- NO3 (mg/L) 91.4 101 86.4 91.3 100.8 98.5 109 98.7 102.3 106.7 102 156.8 103.7 86.4 156.8 17.9

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 0 0 0 0.1 0 0.4 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 11.6 10.8 13.2 27.2 28.9 36.3 14.3 26.2 19.1 22.5 22.5 70.8 25.3 10.8 70.8 16.3

COD (mg O2/L) 17.5 14.4 21.2 56 59.7 68.5 20 38.4 28 35.4 35.4 108.9 42.0 14.4 108.9 27.4

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 130 1600 1600 1700 260 5000 1100 1700 500 110 110 200 1167.5 110 5000 1386.7

Table 6: Results of analyzed parameters of Hazzir spring through year around

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum Maximum Std. Deviation July May June June April April March August October January January February February December November September September

- NO3 (mg/L) 74.3 68.9 65.1 53 70.5 74 74.7 70.6 60.3 66.8 66.2 133.7 73.2 53 133.7 20.1

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 3 0.3 0 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.7 0 3 0.8

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 11.6 14.8 20.4 28.1 32 32 16 40.4 24.2 26.6 26.6 78.9 29.3 11.6 78.9 17.6

COD (mg O2/L) 17.5 19.2 29.7 60 74.6 73.4 30 72 36 39.4 39.4 121 51.0 17.5 121 30.2

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 900 1100 1100 1700 1700 2100 5000 5000 600 5000 5000 2700 2658.3 600 5000 1815.8

Table 7: Results of Analyzed parameters of Shorea' spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis

Analysis March April May June July August September October November December January February Average Minimum Maximum Deviation Std.

- NO3 (mg/L) 33.1 53.4 45.9 28.8 24.9 25.6 29.7 23.6 19 22.4 27.2 29 30.2 19 53.4 9.9

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0 0 0.2 0 0 0.1 0 0 0 0.1 0 0.2 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 11.7 18.7 12.1 27.3 29.1 30.5 15.2 30.7 19.1 19.2 19.2 78.6 26.0 11.7 78.6 17.9

COD (mg O2/L) 17.5 28.8 17 56 59.7 49 30 48 28 27.6 27.6 121 42.5 17 121 28.6

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 300 400 1100 800 700 700 110 3000 500 230 230 70 678.3 70 3000 793.8

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Table 8: Results of the analyzed parameters of Baqourieyyeh spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum Maximum July May June April April March August Std. Deviation Deviation Std. October January February February December November September

- NO3 (mg/L) 31 33.1 31.2 30.6 32.8 33 34.1 32.5 29.9 31.1 40.3 44 33.6 29.9 44 4.2

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0 0.3 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.3 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 11.6 12.4 13.9 30.7 31.2 28.6 15.3 12 19 20 20 70.6 23.8 11.6 70.6 16.4

COD (mg O2/L) 17.5 19.2 21.2 68 70.8 63.7 30 19.2 28 27.6 27.6 108.9 41.8 17.5 108.9 29.0

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 130 170 170 220 130 120 110 130 90 130 130 70 133.3 70 220 39.2

Table 9: Results of the analyzed of the parameters of Um Jurban spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis

Average Analysis Minimum July Maximum May June June April April March August Std. Deviation Deviation Std. October January January February February December November September September

- NO3 (mg/L) 60.2 78.6 73.3 57.6 59.8 60.7 61.6 47.9 43.7 49.9 51.6 50.9 58.0 43.7 78.6 10.2

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0 0.2 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.2 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 9.8 12.3 15.4 30.4 31.4 28.4 14.8 30.6 19.2 34.4 34.4 72 27.8 9.8 72 16.6

COD (mg O2/L) 17.5 19.2 21.2 68 70.8 68.5 25 48 28 51.2 51.2 108.9 48.1 17.5 108.9 27.8

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 240 900 1600 1400 1400 1400 120 900 120 260 260 60 721.7 60 1600 605.7

Table 10: Results of the analyzed parameters of Al-Alali spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum Maximum July May June June April April March August Std. Deviation Deviation Std. October October January January February February December November September

- NO3 (mg/L) 53.1 52 45.3 44.2 42.1 46.2 43.3 45.9 44.6 45.2 47.8 47.9 46.5 42.1 42.1 3.3

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0 0.2 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 10.7 10.3 19.4 34.6 38 30.6 14.4 29.9 22.4 22.5 22.5 78.9 27.9 10.3 10.3 18.4

COD (mg O2/L) 17.5 24 29.7 72 67.1 68.5 30 48 32 35.4 35.4 121 48.4 17.5 17.5 29.3

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 900 1100 2200 3000 3000 2700 700 400 500 3000 3000 800 1775.0 400 400 1123.4

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Table 11: Results of the analyzed parameters of Mahis spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum Maximum July May June April April March August Std. Deviation Deviation Std. October January February February December November September

- NO3 (mg/L) 35.8 41.3 49.5 39 36.4 32.8 34.7 31.4 28.1 27.9 34.1 35 35.5 27.9 49.5 5.9

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.1 0.0

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 9.1 10.3 19.4 36.2 30.5 25.2 11.3 34.7 21.8 16 16 78.6 25.8 9.1 78.6 19.0

COD (mg O2/L) 13.1 19.2 29.7 72 74.6 34.3 15 52.8 32 23.6 23.6 121 42.6 13.1 121 32.2

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 33 70 240 70 700 80 40 23 26 14 14 130 120.0 14 700 193.6

Table 12: Results of the analyzed parameters of Um Zarrorah spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum Maximum Std. Deviation Deviation Std. July May June April April March August October October January February February December November September September

- NO3 (mg/L) 65.8 81.3 79.6 57.6 57.8 61.9 57.8 54.9 57.8 52.6 57.1 55.3 61.6 52.6 81.3 9.4

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0 0.2 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.2 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 10.3 9.7 20.3 26.3 25.4 37.2 14.4 28.3 23.3 34.4 34.4 75.4 28.3 9.7 75.4 17.4

COD (mg O2/L) 21.8 19.2 29.7 56 59.7 58.8 30 43.2 36 55.1 55.1 117 48.5 19.2 117 26.1

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 900 700 16000 16000 50000 30000 13000 2100 5000 2100 2100 3000 11741.7 700 50000 15000.4

Table 13: Results of the analyzed parameters of Azraq Fuheis spring through year around.

Results on monthly basis Average Analysis Minimum July Maximum May June April April March August October October Std. Deviation Deviation Std. January February February December November September September

- NO3 (mg/L) 34.8 37.9 41.3 24.4 24.4 24.4 23.3 20 23.6 23.9 23.1 23 27.0 20 41.3 6.9

3- PO4 (mg/L) 0 0.2 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0.2 0.1

BOD5 (mgO2/L) 10.5 10.1 10.6 9.5 10.1 9.6 10.4 11.9 13.6 14.4 14.4 67.6 16.1 9.5 67.6 16.3

COD (mg O2/L) 13.1 14.4 15.3 16 14.9 14.7 10 19.2 20 19.7 19.7 108.9 23.8 10 108.9 27.0

T. Coliform (MPN/ 100 ml) 7 2 17 20 9 12 4 21 2 2 2 23 10.1 2 23 8.2

The Jordanian Standards (JS) and the World Health drinking purposes according to the analyzed parameters, Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking water are see Table (14). mainly considered to evaluate springs' water suitability for

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Table 14: Jordanian Standards and WHO Guidelines for drinking water (Jordan Standards, 2001, WHO Guidelines, 1997). Jordanian Drinking Water Standards JS No. 286 / 2001 Parameter Max Allowable Concentration WHO Guidelines for the year 1997 Permissible Limit (in case no better source is available) - NO3 (mg/L) 45 70 50 3- PO4 (mg/L) - - - 2- SO4 (mg/L) 200 500 250

COD (mg O2/L) - < 10 * -

BOD5 (mg O2/L) - < 5 * - T.C (MPN/100 ml) 0 1.1 0 *: (Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) Open Files, 2005).

Nitrate levels in drinking water for humans and high concentrations of nitrate resulting from the urban livestock are a major concern (Kolenbamder, 1977). expansion in the recharge area. These high Under certain circumstances nitrate can be reduced to concentrations indicate high probability of the presence nitrite in stomach by the active nitrate-reducing bacteria. of organic matter resulting from domestic wastewater or Nitrite is readily absorbed into the blood where it seepage from the septic tanks. Particularly for the Jadour combines with the haemoglobin and converts it into Tahta spring, the existence of Al-Salt slaughterhouse metahemoglobine which is not able to carry oxygen. within the catchment area of the spring maximizes the This phenomenon is a well-known disease especially problem as disposes many of its liquid wastes such as among infants and is known as blue-baby syndrome or blood and sluaghtering water on the floor of the methemoglobinemia (Klimas, 1995). These syndromes catchment area. These wastes flows to the groundwater are rarely observed on adults where the low gastric through joints and faults present in the Upper Cretaceous acidity and the high-active enzymes inhibit nitrate- Limestone rocks that cover the catchment area of the reducing bacteria (Curry, 1982; White and Weiss, 1991). springs (Bender, 1974). The water of Jadour Fouqa, Moreover, high levels of nitrate might have some Jadour Tahta and Hazzir springs has exceeded the nitrate contributions to stomach and colon cancer (WHO, 1998; level set by the Jordanian Standards (JS) and the World Yang et al., 2007). The average values for nitrate ranged Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking from 27 (mg/L) for Azraq Fuheis spring to 103.7 (mg/L) water. Nitrate concentrations in water of these springs for Jadour Tahta spring. Most of the studied springs have would be considered as one of hazardous chemicals higher nitrate content during the months of February, when it is used for drinking purposes. The rest of the March and April. This can be attributed to the springs are not contaminated with nitrate. contribution of excess nitrogen fertilization due to the Phosphorous occurs in natural waters and in agricultural activities. wastewaters almost solely as phosphates. They occur in Jadour Fouqa, Jadour Tahta and Hazzir springs have solution, in particles or detritus, or in the bodies of

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aquatic organisms. Orthophosphates which have the effluent, and polluted waters. BOD5 test is widely used same chemical formula as inorganic phosphates are as a measure of biodegradable organic content in natural applied to agricultural or residential cultivated land as water or wastewater. It measures the oxygen utilized fertilizers then carried into groundwater by leaching during a specified incubation period (we used incubation processes through geological formations (Bino, 1991). period of five days as BOD5) for the biological Primarily biological processes form organic phosphates. degradation of organic material (Carbonaceous Demand)

They are contributed to sewage by body wastes and food (Clesceri et al., 2007). The average values of BOD5 residues (Salameh, 1996). Kölle (2003) defined that ranged from 16.1 (mg/L) for Azraq Fuheis spring to 29.3 organic waste, excrements or wastewater can have a (mg/L) for Hazzir spring. After WAJ Open files (2005) direct impact on the phosphate concentrations in the BOD5 value for drinking water should be < 5 (mg/L). groundwater (Kölle, 2003). All BOD5 results for studied springs exceed 5 (mg/L). Most of the studied springs have considerable This indicates a high probability of the presence of concentrations of phosphate during the months of organic matter resulting from domestic wastewater March, April and May, which is the period of soil seepage from septic tanks or decaying of agricultural fertilization. Examples are Shorea' and Jadour Tahta residues then infiltrate to the groundwater through joints springs which have phosphate average of 0.1 (mg/L). and faults present in the Upper Cretaceous Limestone

This indicates the probability of the fertilizers influence rocks that cover the catchment area of the springs. BOD5 on recharge area of these springs. The higher average values of springs' water are directly proportional to their concentration was the Hazzir spring, which was 0.7 COD values. (mg/L). This relatively high value indicates an input of COD test is used as indicator of most organic and anthropogenic wastewater or agricultural fertilizer inorganic matter contained in the sample using a strong (Werz, 2006). If phosphate concentration is higher than oxidizing agent. It is useful for estimating the oxygen 100 (µg/L) then it could be considered as a pollution requirements of certain domestic, municipal, industrial or indicator (Kölle, 2003). Hazzir spring is polluted with agricultural wastewater. The average values of COD ranged phosphate but the other springs, including Jadour Tahta, from 23.8 (mg/L) for Azraq Fuheis spring to 51.0 (mg/L) Shorea' and Baqourieyyeh have the upper permissible for Hazzir spring. Azraq Fuheis spring has the least value of limit of phosphate which is still suitable for the drinking COD among all these springs, but it is still high for drinking water. This high probability of the increase of phosphate water as the value should be less than 10 (mg/L) (WAJ concentration in the water of these springs is an Open Files, 2005). This can be attributed to the occasional indication that it would be polluted and not suitable for disposal of wastewater tanks or seepage of agricultural domestic use. This gives a strong indicator to the high wastewater that infiltrates into the groundwater, penetrates probability of the ascending increase of phosphate the Wadi Es-Sir Limestone (A7) Formation and concentrations in these springs to be polluted springs contaminates the Azraq Fuheis spring. The relatively low then unsuitable for domestic use. value of Azraq Fuheis spring compared to the other springs

BOD5 determination is an empirical test in which can be attributed to the springs' location. Only Azraq Fuheis standardized laboratory procedures are used to determine spring is located far away from the crowded urban the relative oxygen requirements of wastewaters, expansion. Hazzir spring has the highest value of COD.

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This impermissible COD value can be attributed to the displayed that Total coliforms should be absent immediately close urban expansion in its catchment area. This causes the after disinfection, and the presence of these organisms presence of organic matter in the spring's water as a result indicates inadequate treatment. of wastewater seepage from the septic tanks and infiltrates downward to Hummar Limestone Formation (A4) and then 3.2 Water quality for agricultural purposes to the Hazzir spring. The seepage occurs through the high Water quality, quantity, soil type, irrigated crop type numbers of fractures, faults and partly prominent massive and salts concentrations are the main factors that cliffs distributed in the (A4) Formation (Bender, 1974). determine the suitability of irrigation water quality. For Total coliform bacteria (excluding E. coli) occur in both salts in the irrigation water, it could negatively affect the sewage and natural waters and some of these bacteria are growth of plants by changing the osmotic condition in excreted in the faeces of humans and animals (Bartram, the root zone, which decrease or limit the physical effect 2003). The average values of Total Coliform ranged from of water uptake. This study displays the suitability of 10.1 (MPN/100 ml) for Azraq Fuheis spring to 2658.3 and springs' water to be used for agricultural purposes based 11741.7 (MPN/100 ml) for Hazzir and Um Zarrorah springs on the average values of Electrical Conductivity (EC). respectively. All studied springs have Total Coliform values Table 15 illustrates the classification of irrigation water exceeded the permissible limit according to JS and WHO based on EC values (after Todd, 1980). Table 16 shows Guidelines. According to these values, it is not surprising to the classification of the studied springs' water for find high springs' water contamination with Total Coliform irrigation use based on average EC values. According to caused by wastewater seepage from septic tanks to the these tables the Shorea', Baqourieyyieh, Mahis, Um springs' sources. For the springs' samples, the exceedance Zarrorah and Azraq Fuheis springs are classified as good Total Coliform values the permissible limit according to JS water for irrigation purposes and Jadour Tahta, Jadour and WHO Guidelines is a clear proof for not totally Fouqa, Hazzir, Um Jurban and Al-Alali springs are controlled treatment process for these sources when they classified as permissible for irrigation. comes to be used as drinking water. Ainsworth (2004)

Table 15: Classification of irrigation water based on EC values (after Todd, 1980). Water Classification EC (µS/cm)

Excellent < 250

Good 250 - 750

Permissible 750 - 2000

Doubtful 2000 - 3000

Unsuitable > 3000

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Table 16: Classification of the studied springs' water for irrigation use based on average EC values. Spring EC (µS/cm) Classification

Jadour Fouqa 934.6 Permissible

Jadour Tahta 944.9 Permissible

Hazzir 895.8 Permissible

Shorea' 540.3 Good

Baqourieyyeh 674.9 Good

Um Jurban 988.2 Permissible

Al-Alali 1036.2 Permissible

Mahis 707.1 Good

Um Zarrorah 754.5 Good

Azraq Fuheis 556.9 Good

3. Conclusions and Recommendations facilitates the flow of pollutants to the springs' water. All In conclusion, most of the representative springs are the springs have convenient quality to be used as chemically polluted and all of them are irrigation water. microbiologically polluted. This could be attributed to Disinfection treatment by Ultraviolet Rays would be the low number of houses surrounding the spring's sufficient to produce microbiologically accepted springs' catchment area. Therefore, the probability of wastewater water for drinking purposes. The option of disinfection reaching to the spring's catchment area is minimal. is optimal to chlorination because of the harmful health Moreover, the absence of sewer systems in the effects to humans associated by its byproducts. The catchment areas of Hazzir, Shorea', Baqouriyyeh, Um current condition of springs' water requires a continuous Jurban and Um Zarrorah springs increases the rate of assessment for the aquifers and more efficient spring water pollution. In addition to this, the leaching of management strategies in order to improve the residues resulting from the unsanitary embedment of old environmental situation. This would include the septic tanks in areas that have recently been connected to establishment of groundwater protection zones for the sewer system causes pollution by seepage to the source, and resource protection of groundwater based on groundwater, especially after rainfall such as at Mahis the implementation of groundwater protection concepts. spring. The main causes of the accelerating pollution of To expand groundwater monitoring for point and these springs are: 1) the presence of joints and faults that nonpoint-source pollution, an increase in the awareness distribute in the limestone aquifers of Upper Cretaceous of the Jordanian people (i.e. how their agricultural and rocks and 2) the high slope of the catchment area which domestic activities can pose a threat to groundwater)

-98- Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume 9, No.1 2013 should be done. Constructing sewer systems in the establish a periodic maintenance process for the old catchment areas of springs that miss it, as to be sewer systems in these areas. Further studies are needed compatible with international standards, would be one of to determine the types of microbiological organisms the vital solutions to prevent pollution problem. which contribute to microbiological pollution for the Furthermore, there must be a steadfast commitment to studied springs.

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J., Best, N., Toledano, M., 2009. The epidemiology and 3-110. possible mechanisms of disinfection by-products in White, C.D. and Weiss, L.D., 1991. Varying Presentations of drinking water, 367 (1904): 4043-4076. Methemoglobinemia: Two Cases. The Journal of Emergency Salameh, E., 1996. Water quality degradation in Jordan, Impat Medicine, 9, 45-49. on environmental economy and future generating resources World Health Organization (WHO), 2009. WHO handbook on base: Amman-Jordan. 179. indoor radon. A public health perspective. Geneva, World Ta'any, R.A. and A.A. Al-Kharabsheh, 2002. Effect of Health Organozation. hydraulic characteristics of karst Springs on discharge World Health Organization (WHO), 1998. Nitrate and nitrite in magnitudes of Wadi Shueib Catchment Area, Jordan. Drinking-water, Background Document for Development of Alexandria Science Exchange, 23 (3): 275-294. WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality. Todd, D. K., 1980. Groundwater hydrology. Second Edition, World Health Organization (WHO), 1997. Guidelines for 535, New York: Jon Wiley & Sons Inc. drinking-water quality. Geneva-Switzerland. Second Edition, Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), 2005. Water Authority of 3: 4-16. Jordan Open Files, Amman-Jordan. Yang, C.Y., and Wu, D.C., and Chang, C.C., 2007. Nitrate in Drinking Werz, H., 2006. The Use of Remote Sensing Imagery for Water and Risk of Death from Colon Cancer in Taiwan. Groundwater Risk Intensity Mapping in the Wadi Shueib, Environment International, 33, 649-653 Jordan. PhD. Thesis, University of Karlsruhe, Germany, pp:

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ﺘﺄﺜﻴﺭ ﺍﻟﺤﻔﺭ ﺍﻹﻤﺘﺼﺎﺼﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺨﻠﻔﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﺯﺭﺍﻋﻴﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺘﺩﻫﻭﺭ ﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﻴﻨﺎﺒﻴﻊ ﺤﻭﺽ ﻭﺍﺩﻱ ﺸﻌﻴﺏ- ﺍﻷﺭﺩﻥ

ﻨﻭﺭ ﻤﺤﻤﺩ ﺍﻟﺨﺭﺍﺒﺸﺔ1 ﻋﺎﻁﻑ ﺍﻟﺨﺭﺍﺒﺸﺔ1 ﻋﺜﻤﺎﻥ ﻏﻨﻴﻡ2

ﻤﻠﺨـﺹ

ﺘﻭﺠﺩ ﻓﻲ ﺤﻭﺽ ﻭﺍﺩﻱ ﺸﻌﻴﺏ ﻤﺼﺎﺩﺭ ﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﻟﻠﻴﻨﺎﺒﻴﻊ ﺘﺴﺘﺨﺩﻡ ﻟﻸﻏﺭﺍﺽ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﺯﻟﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺯﺭﺍﻋﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺼﻨﺎﻋﻴﺔ. ﺠﺯﺀ ﻜﺒﻴﺭ ﻤﻥ ﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﻫﺫﻩ ﺍﻟﻴﻨﺎﺒﻴﻊ ﻻ ﻴﻌﺎﻟﺞ ﺒﺸﻜل ﺼﺤﻴﺢ. ﺘﺘﺴﺒﺏ ﺍﻟﺤﻔﺭ ﺍﻻﻤﺘﺼﺎﺼﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﺸﺎﻁﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﺯﺭﺍﻋﻴﺔ ﻫﻨﺎﻙ ﺒﺘﺩﻫﻭﺭ ﻨﻭﻋﻴﺔ ﻫﺫﻩ ﺍﻟﻤﻴﺎﻩ. ﻭﺘﻬﺩﻑ ﺍﻟﺩﺭﺍﺴﺔ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺘﺤﺩﻴﺩ ﻤﺴﺘﻭﻴﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﺘﻠﻭﺙ ﺍﻟﺤﺎﻟﻴﺔ ﻤﻥ ﺨﻼل ﺇﺠﺭﺍﺀ ﺘﺤﺎﻟﻴل ﻓﻴﺯﻴﺎﺌﻴﺔ ﻭﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎﺌﻴﺔ ﻭﺒﻴﻭﻟﻭﺠﻴﺔ. ﺤﺴﺏ ﺍﻟﻤﻭﺍﺼﻔﺔ ﺍﻷﺭﺩﻨﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﻭﺍﺼﻔﺔ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﻟﻤﻴﺔ ﻟﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﺍﻟﺸﺭﺏ ﻓﺈﻥ ﺍﻟﻴﻨﺎﺒﻴﻊ ﺍﻟﻤﻠﻭﺜﺔ ﺒﺎﻟﻨﺘﺭﺍﺕ ﻫﻲ ﺤﺯﻴﺭ ﻭﺠﺎﺩﻭﺭ ﺍﻟﻔﻭﻗﺎ ﻭﺠﺎﺩﻭﺭ ﺍﻟﺘﺤﺘﺎ. ﻋ ﻠ ﻤ ﺎﹰ ﺒﺄﻥ ﻨﺒﻊ ﺤﺯﻴﺭ ﻫﻭ ﺍﻟﻭﺤﻴﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﻠﻭﺙ ﺒﺎﻟﻔﻭﺴﻔﻴﺕ. ﻋﻼﻭﺓ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺫﻟﻙ، ﻓﺈﻨﻬﺎ ﺠﻤﻴﻌﺎﹰ ﺘﺠﺎﻭﺯﺕ ﺍﻟﺤﺩ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﻤﻭﺡ ﺒﻪ ﻟﻌﺎﻤل ﺍﻷﻜﺴﺠﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻬﻠﻙ ﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎﺌﻴﺎﹰ ﻭﺍﻷﻜﺴﺠﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻬﻠﻙ ﺒﻴﻭﻟﻭﺠﻴﺎﹰ (ﺨﻤﺴﺔ ﺃﻴﺎﻡ) ﻭﻤﺠﻤﻭﻉ ﺍﻟﺒﻜﺘﻴﺭﻴﺎ ﺍﻟﻘﻭﻟﻭﻨﻴﺔ. ﻜل ﺍﻟﻴﻨﺎﺒﻴﻊ ﺼﺎﻟﺤﺔ ﻟﻺﺴﺘﺨﺩﺍﻡ ﻜﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﻟﻠﺭﻱ. ﻭﻗﺩ ﻟﻭﺤﻅﺕ ﻋﻼﻗﺔ ﻭﺍﻀﺤﺔ ﻤﺎ ﺒﻴﻥ ﺠﻴﻭﻟﻭﺠﻴﺎ ﻤﻨﻁﻘﺔ ﺍﻟﺩﺭﺍﺴﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺘﻌﻠﻭﻫﺎ ﺍﻟﺼﺨﻭﺭ ﺍﻟﺠﻴﺭﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﻌﻠﻭﻴﺔ ﻭﻗﺩﺭﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﺩﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺘﺴﺭﺏ ﻟﻠﻤﻴﺎﻩ ﺍﻟﺠﻭﻓﻴﺔ. ﺍﻟﻜﻠﻤﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﺩﺍﻟﺔ: ﺍﻟﺤﻔﺭﺓ ﺍﻻﻤﺘﺼﺎﺼﻴﺔ، ﺍﻟﻨﺒﻊ، ﺍﻟﺤﻭﺽ، ﺍﻷﻜﺴﺠﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻬﻠﻙ ﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎﺌﻴﺎﹰ، ﺍﻷﻜﺴﺠﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻬﻠﻙ ﺒ ﻴ ﻭ ﻟ ﻭ ﺠ ﻴ ـ ﺎﹰ (ﺨﻤـﺴﺔ ﺃﻴﺎﻡ)، ﻤﺠﻤﻭﻉ ﺍﻟﺒﻜﺘﻴﺭﻴﺎ ﺍﻟﻘﻭﻟﻭﻨﻴﺔ، ﺍﻟﺼﺨﻭﺭ ﺍﻟﺠﻴﺭﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﻜﺭﻴﺘﺎﺴﻴﺔ.

______1) ﻜﻠﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺯﺭﺍﻋﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻜﻨﻭﻟﻭﺠﻴﺔ، ﺠﺎﻤﻌﺔ ﺍﻟﺒﻠﻘﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺘﻁﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ. 2) ﻜﻠﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﺨﻁﻴﻁ ﻭﺍﻹﺩﺍﺭﺓ، ﺠﺎﻤﻌﺔ ﺍﻟﺒﻠﻘﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺘﻁﺒﻴﻘﻴﺔ. ﺘﺎﺭﻴﺦ ﺍﺴﺘﻼﻡ ﺍﻟﺒﺤﺙ 10/1/2011 ﻭﺘﺎﺭﻴﺦ ﻗﺒﻭﻟﻪ 2012/6/28

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