TITLE:
Protecting the Groundwater Environment of Tulkarem City of Palestine from Industrial and Domestic Pollution
AUTHORS:
Amjad Aliewi, Najwan Imseih, Deeb Abdulghafour
KEYWORDS:
Groundwater Pollution; Environmental Protection; Vulnerability Mapping; Groundwater Modelling; Policy Guidelines
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.11B,
November
29,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Domestic sewage, solid
waste, industrial activities, and excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides
are the main sources of pollution that threaten the main groundwater aquifers
of Tulkarem City of Palestine which add to the problem of water scarcity
already experienced by the Palestinians in the West Bank. These aquifers are a
vital groundwater resource that provides high quality water. This paper
presents the findings of the “Pro Aquifer” project funded by the EU, which aims
to reduce groundwater polluting activities in the main municipalities such as
Tulkarem. The scientific research of this paper was conducted on the potential
and existing sources of groundwater pollution that threaten the Aquifer. GIS tools as well as vulnerability,
hazard and risk mapping and pollution modeling were used to examine the impacts
of pollution to the groundwater resources in the study area. The local-scale
pollution transport model was developed to define the general characteristics
of the groundwater flow system as well as to consequently assess the future
transport trends of pollution in the groundwater water system of the Tulkarem
area. The outputs of this scientific research were used to establish policies
and guidelines for reducing water and environmental pollution in Palestinian municipalities.
The recommendations produced aim to help Palestinian municipalities prevent
pollution of the critical trans-boundary groundwater resources that underlie
Tulkarem City. These guidelines provide a methodology to help municipalities begin
solving the environmental issues they face. The goals of these guidelines are
to protect and prevent further deterioration of the resources of the Mountain
Aquifer and to enable and empower municipal officials and staff to achieve
these goals.