Environmental rethinking of wastewater drains to manage environmental pollution and alleviate water scarcity

Abstract

The conservation of water resources in developed countries has become an increasing concern. In integrated water resource management, water quality indicators are critical. The low groundwater quality quantitates mainly attributed to the absence of protection systems for polluted streams that collect and recycle the untreated wastewater. Egypt has a limited river network; thus, the supply of water resources remains inadequate to satisfy domestic demand. In this regard, high-quality groundwater is one of the main strategies for saving water supplies with water shortage problems. This paper investigates the critical issues of groundwater protection and environmental management of polluted streams, leading to overcoming water demand-about 18 × 10 3 km of polluted open streams with a discharge of 9.70 billion Cubic Metter (BCM). We have proposed proposals and policies for the safe use of groundwater and reuse of wastewater recycling for agriculture and other purposes. This study was carried out using the numerical model MODFLOW and MT3DMS—(Mass Transport 3-Dimension Multi-Species) to assess the Wastewater Treated Plant's (WWTP) best location and the critical path for using different lining materials of polluted streams to avoid groundwater contamination. The three contaminants are BOD, COD, and TDS. Five scenarios were applied for mitigating the impact of polluted water: (1) abstraction forcing, (2) installing the WWTP at the outlet of the main basin drain with and without a lining of main and sub-basin streams (base case), (3) lining of main and sub-main streams, (4) installing WWTP at the outlet of the sub-basin streams, and (5) lining of the sub-basin and installing WWTP at the outlet of the sub-basin. The results showed that the best location of WWTP in polluted streams is developed at the outlets of sub-basin with the treatment of main basin water and the lining of sub-basins streams. The contamination was reduced by 76.07, 76.38, and 75.67% for BOD, COD, and TDS, respectively, using Cascade Aeration Biofilter or Trickling Filter, Enhancing Solar water Disinfection [(CABFESD)/(CATFESD)] and High-Density Polyethylene lining. This method is highly effective and safe for groundwater and surface water environmental protection. This study could be managing the water poverty for polluted streams and groundwater in the Global South and satisfy the environmental issues to improve water quality and reduce the treatment and health cost in these regions.

Numerical Canal Seepage Loss Evaluation for Different Lining and Crack Techniques in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study of the River Nile, Egypt

“…The lining of this great length of irrigation canals could improve the water efficiency and requires the selection of lining materials to minimize the construction costs. Abd-Elaty et al [30][31][32] presented the cost of different lining types for a 25 cm thickness of concrete, geo-membranes with concrete, and mixed bentonite with sand. The study area of the Ismailia canal has a lining perimeter of 86 m and bed width of 59 m, the difference between the berm and bed levels is 6.25 m, with a side slope of 2:1; the high and low water levels are (13.10) and (12.40), while the bed and bank levels are (7.65) and (13.90) for the section at the stretch between 28 + 00 and 49 + 00 km.…”

Biodiversity Conservation of National Parks and Nature-Protected Areas in West Africa: The Case of Kainji National Park, Nigeria

“…Surface water runoff from most protected areas may be a source of pollution in streams, marshes, rivers, lakes, and seas, which is a source of worry in many metropolitan areas [30][31][32]. During precipitation events, vegetation (trees and bushes) intercepts some of the precipitation, while the rest reaches the ground.…”

Sequencing Batch Reactor Performance Evaluation on Orthophosphates and COD Removal from Brewery Wastewater

“…The issue of freshwater scarcity perpetuated by environmental pollution among many other factors has become a global phenomenon, particularly in the sub-Saharan region [1][2][3]. The substantial increase in biological nutrients particularly phosphorus and nitrogenous compounds in water bodies results in eutrophic waters [4][5][6].…”