Wastewater Reclamation Projects
The issue of water is central to environmental concerns, both in view of
its relative scarcity in the region, and as a potential environmental
pollutant. The prevention of water pollution through standardized-sewage
treatment practices and methods to combat industrial pollution can be
addressed through joint regional projects. The reclamation of wastewater
will prevent the pollution of ground and surface water, and alleviate
sanitation problems while at the same time increasing the water resource
potential.
The need for wastewater reclamation arises from the necessity to exploit
all available water resources in the region. As a result of increased
consumption in the domestic-urban sector, sewage created by this sector
has and will continue to increase. From every cubic meter of sewage water
deriving from households, it is now possible to recycle up to 0.6 cubic
meter for agricultural purposes. Supply of reclaimed wastewater is
contingent primarily on urban growth. By 2010, however, even though most
agricultural crops will be irrigated with recycled effluent, this source
will not suffice as the sole supplement to renewable freshwater
sources.
Effluent recycling harbors several advantages when compared with other
water development options
- it alleviates sanitation problems;
- it prevents pollution of both ground and surface water;
- it increases the country's water resource potential.
Sewage systems of the future will have to include, apart from proper
sewage arrangements, water treatment systems designed to prevent
environmental pollution. The most promising end-users for treated water
are industry and agriculture. In addition, seasonal storage facilities are
required for efficient management of reclaimed water.
A distinction is drawn between restricted irrigation and unrestricted
irrigation. The former refers to the use of low quality effluents in
predefined areas for specific crops. The latter refers to the use of high
quality effluents for irrigation of all types of crops and almost all
types of soil conditions. The quality of water sought dictates the level
of treatment required. Exclusive reliance on restricted irrigation may
lead to substantial constraints on crop selection, which can constitute an
operational hurdle, if recycling is to be instituted universally.
The use of effluents for irrigation may be restricted for ecological
reasons. If irrigated areas are situated over aquifers, the danger of
wastewater infiltration exists. Organic and chemical contaminants in the
effluents can pollute irrigated soil and penetrate the ground water.
Similarly, consideration should be given to the distance between irrigated
and residential areas or the possibility that carrier systems will
intertwine in such a way that low quality reclaimed water will mix with
drinking water conveyed to households. If implemented improperly, the use
of effluents for irrigation can become a source of pollution and pose a
hazard to public health. Among the most severe dangers are pathogens from
the effluents that can cause diseases among consumers of the agricultural
products and among the farmers.
It is not always feasible to recycle sewage close to the populated
municipal centers. In some cases it is necessary to channel it to the
target agricultural center where it is to be used. The primary objective
is to develop storage, treatment, conveyance and irrigation practices that
enable safe use of effluents for agriculture and industry including:
- Adoption of irrigation practices that minimize spread of human, animal
and plant pathogens.
- Minimization of soil and groundwater pollution.
1.1 Projects in the Rift Valley and Jordan
In order to recycle sewage in large amounts - tens and even hundreds of
millions of cubic meters - several treatment plants will be required. In
some cases new installations will have to be constructed, while in others,
as in the Amman plant, expansion of existing capacity is called for.
The development of local municipal plants in large communities (over
100,000 urban residents) in Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank requires
vast financial resources. The required investment increases over
time, as a function of population growth.
Moreover, the cost of effluent reclamation is greatly dependent on the
quality of water the system seeks to attain; this depends, in turn, on the
type of crops that are earmarked to be recipients of the reclaimed water.
Usable treated wastewater ranges in quality from "secondary effluents"
(extremely restricted agricultural use) to "reclaimed water" that has
undergone the SAT (Soil Aquifer Treatment) process. The quality of the
latter approaches that of drinking water and can be used unrestrictedly
for agricultural and industrial purposes. "Tertiary effluents" quality
refers to water which has undergone physiochemical processes, including
disinfection and can be used unrestrictedly for irrigation.
Table no. 3 exhibits the unit investment costs involved in producing
different water effluent levels in various plant sizes. For secondary and
high secondary water quality, economies of scale are limited to relatively
small plants. For the production of tertiary quality water, significant
economies of scale can be realized for larger operations
Table No. 3:
Unit investment costs of treatment ($/cu.m/yr.)
| Treatment level | Plant Size (MCM/YR.) |
|---|
| | 1 | 5 | 30 |
| Secondary | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| High secondary | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Tertiary | 3.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
Source: Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Tahal Consulting Engineers,
Israel Water Study for the World Bank, Beer Sheva, 1994.
In addition to treatment costs, storage and conveyance costs must be
considered. The total cost per cubic meter of recycled water for the 2010
plan ranges from $0.16-0.42 per cubic meter. These figures do not include
secondary treatment costs which are required even for direct disposal. An
initial estimate of required investment amounts to $200-250 million per
year for at least 10 years.
Wastewater treatment in the Upper Jordan Valley
Israel and Jordan have agreed to prohibit the disposal of untreated
municipal and industrial waste into the course of the Yarmouk or Jordan
Rivers. Treated water reaching these rivers is to meet standards allowing
for unrestricted agricultural use.
Implementation of this prohibition shall be completed within three years.
It requires treatment of the wastewater and/or disposal of effluents
outside the reaches of the above-mentioned rivers. One method of disposal
is reclamation for reuse in irrigation. This demands the provision of
sufficient environmental safeguards, including safeguards to water
sources.
The objective of this project is to plan the facilities that will enable
effective implementation of the prohibition.
Areas under consideration in Israel include:
- localities along the shores of the Sea of Galilee that at present
dispose effluents in the saline springs diversion system or to sites south of
the Sea;
- localities south of the Sea of Galilee and north of Tirat Zvi that
currently dispose effluents to waterways leading to the Jordan River between
the Sea and Tirat Zvi.
In Jordan the area will include all localities that currently dispose
effluents to waterways leading to the Yarmouk River and to the Jordan
River north of Wadi Yabis.
The project is comprised of:
- On the Jordanian side:
- The construction of wastewater collection networks;
- The construction of wastewater treatment plants;
- The installation of treated wastewater disposal systems,
preferably land application.
- On the Israeli side:
As above, excluding the first component.
- On both sides:
Treatment of agricultural drainage water for appropriate reuse.
The investment in this project is estimated at $ 80 million.
1.2 Gaza
The preservation and supplementing of water sources for the Gaza Strip is
a particularly acute problem. The primary causes of deterioration of water
quality in Gaza include: seawater encroachment, uptrend of leisure
activities, irrigation by saline water, excessive use of fertilizers and
pesticides, and an apparent infiltration of treated sewage and
agricultural drainage into the water system.
Effluent reclamation in
Gaza will have an impact on environmental protection, the protection of
underground water from sewage pollution, and the prevention of pollution
of the Mediterranean. The project entails restructuring Gaza's water
system and includes:
- Collecting sewage water in a primarily underground system.
Costs are estimated at between $70-80 million.
- Treatment of the sewage water from the greater Gaza City area in
mechanical and biological facilities including settling, filtration and
oxidation until a secondary degree of purity (for irrigation but not
potable). An estimated additional 15 million cubic meters of water will be
reclaimed by the year 2000, under the following assumptions:
- per capita consumption will reach 50 cubic meters;
- the population of Gaza City and its environs is 500,000;
- a 60% utilization\recycling rate be realized.
The estimated cost of implementing the project is $60-100 million.
- Conveying sewage water for use in agricultural areas adjacent to Gaza City: 25000 dunams of agricultural crops. The estimated investment in
water conveyance and irrigation systems amounts to $15-$20 million.
Utilizing sewage water must be governed by suitable health regulations so
that the agricultural produce can be sold and exported to various
markets. Similar sewage recycling projects can be carried out in other urban
concentrations such as Rafah, Khan Yunis, Beit Hanun, Beit Lehiya and
suitable sites in the West Bank.
1.3 The West Bank
The development boom which the West Bank region has been experiencing in
recent years, together with a high population growth rate (about 3% per
annum), is characterized by accelerated urbanization processes and a
continual rise in the standard of living of the region's residents. This
will lead to, among other things, expansion and development of the systems
for supplying water to the cities and villages, and an unavoidable
increase in the amount of sewage.
The geographic and hydrogeological advantage of the mountains of the West
Bank in regard to the conveyance and penetration of rainfall into the
aquifer, becomes a serious disadvantage with regard to sewage. Part of the
sewage not receiving proper treatment penetrates the ground water, while
the remainder flows in wadis, creating environmental nuisances, such as
breeding areas for mosquitoes and sources of foul odors. This saline water
is sometimes used for agricultural purposes.
The high costs involved in the construction of modern sewage treatment and
disposal systems m the region, do not permit the cities to meet the
challenges of establishing such facilities alone, and international
assistance is urgently required.
Master Plan for Sewage Treatment and Disposal
The Master Plan for the West Rank region outlining principles for sewage
treatment and disposal was completed in 1983, with the following goals:
- to prevent pollution of groundwater;
- to prevent aboveground nuisances;
- to divert the effluents to agriculture.
Since completion of the plan, many changes in the water supply system have
occurred, both in the urban and industrial sectors. In addition, the
authorities have imposed stricter requirements for sewage quality. The
goals and specific aspects of the plan are relevant for future planning
purposes.
Planning guidelines
- Topography - The West Bank region is a mountainous region with a
generally longitudinal central mountain range running in a north-south
direction, creating two latitudinal watersheds.
- Urban dispersal - With more than 500 settlements in the planning
area, the lack of urban planning and the great dispersal of the population
make it difficult to promote regional solutions for the sewage problem.
- Population - The rapid population growth calls for the planning
of modular systems for relatively short time intervals (5-10 years for a
module).
- Land and agriculture - There are large concentrations of
agricultural land, around most of the large cities in the West Bank, to
which treated effluents can be diverted in the future. In situations in
which there is no available land near sewage-production regions, or in
hydrologically sensitive areas, it will be necessary to transport the
effluent to regions where it can be properly exploited.
- Required purification level - The minimal purification level
required for agricultural use (except in the case of vegetables) at the
outlet from a treatment plant, is 20 mg/liter for the BOD (biological
oxygen demand) and 30 mg/liter of suspended solids (SS).
- Industrial sewage - Extensive industrial development is expected
in the region, including the development of industries emitting hazardous
industrial sewage, which will require separate treatment or pretreatment
to ensure "homogeneity" in the composition of the domestic sewage.
- Projection of water consumption - The water consumption in the
region is expected to rise due to the population growth, the rising
standard of living and improved efficiency of the water supply, as
follows:
Planning
period |
Per capita consumption |
| Liters/day |
cu.m/year |
|---|
| 1995-2000 |
70 |
25 |
| 2001-2010 |
100 | 36 |
| 2011-2020 |
120 |
43 |
The projects refer to private, public and industrial water consumption at
the end of each planning period.
Cost estimates
It is expected that the cost of developing collection, treatment and
disposal for the seven main cities and 50 villages in the West Bank over
the next 15 years will be approximately $400 million. Cost estimates were
made for seven selected cities (Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus, Kalkilya,
Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron) and 50 large villages which not have a
central sewage collection system. The total population of the 50 villages
is estimated to reach 0.6 million in the year 2010 and must be taken into
account in the long-term planning according to the following:
| Facilities: |
Cost
($ million): |
| Treatment and disposal facilities for the seven selected cities |
109 |
Central sewage system for 50 villages
= $4 million x 50 |
200 |
Sewage treatment and disposal system based on $150 per person
= $150 x 0.6 million residents |
90 |
| Total cost (1995-2010) |
399 |
1.4 Aqaba-Eilat-Taba
In the Aqaba-Eilat-Taba region, a substantial increase is anticipated in
water consumption in the urban-domestic sector and in the hotel and resort
industry. The quantity of sewage water currently surpasses the treatment
in Israel and recycling capabilities of existing facilities. Possibilities
in this field are varied, and include collecting the water, treating it,
upgrading it to various levels and carrying it to various destinations in
the agricultural sector of the region. Technologies exist and some have
already been tested in the region (including new technologies for
purification).
Upgrading the sewage and waste disposal systems in Eilat*
Eilat has undergone tremendous growth over the past decade, evidenced not
only by the ever-increasing number of hotel rooms, but by the number of
permanent residents as well. This growth is expected to accelerate, given
the recent inauguration of open borders with Jordan.
As a result of this growth, the municipal sewage system is being subjected
to loads unanticipated at the time of its original construction. The city
is currently faced with a need to restructure and augment its current
sewage system, in order to safely handle current loads and facilitate new
construction in the area. Investment in a new waste treatment and disposal
system is required. The need for upgrading the sewage and waste disposal
system is particularly acute in light of plans to jointly develop a Red
Sea Riviera together with Jordan and Egypt as a major international
tourist destination.
Currently, Eilat has a sewage disposal system designed to guarantee "zero
flow to the sea". Built a decade ago, the treatment plant is based on
treatment in sand ponds and a seasonal reservoir. This system was less
costly than alternative technologies considered at the time. Unlike other
municipal centers, Eilat was forced to erect this plant close to the city
center. System overload has led to periodic breakdowns, that have in turn
compromised the "zero-flow" policy.
The problem of sewage discharge into the Gulf and the severe marine pollution has become of concern to all riparian countries. Recently, a program has been developed for conveying the sewage of Eilat northward to a reservoir where it is treated and used for irrigation in adjacent agricultural settlements. Some of the sewage is already being diverted northward, thus decreasing the amount of sewage discharged into the sea. However, this does not solve the problem, and there is an urgent need to upgrade and improve the whole sewage system of the city.
A comprehensive municipal plan to restructure the sewage system in Eilat
is estimated to cost $43.5 million, to be invested over a period of 4-5
years. This means that between $9-11 million dollars is required annually,
a sum that roughly equals 25% of the entire municipal budget. Without
outside sources of financing, the city will be forced to slow down the
pace of instituting these measures, a measure that can adversely affect
the development of the region as a whole.
The major components of a comprehensive plan to restructure the sewage and
waste disposal system in Eilat are:
Improving the infrastructure in the inner city. The current system
constitutes a significant constraint on the development potential of the
inner city and surrounding environs. The existing inner-city sewage system
is unable to support municipal expansion. It is estimated that a total
investment of $19 million will be required to adequately revamp and expand
existing sewage infrastructure in the city's residential neighborhoods.
Improving the main conduit system from the city to the treatment
plant.
This includes enlarging the main pumping station into which all the city's
waste drains on its way to the treatment plant. This station is currently
pumping at full capacity on a regular basis. The estimated required
investment is $3.3 million.
Improving the quality of wastewater treatment. In order to meet
increasingly stringent environmental safety and health standards, the city
will have to improve its current treatment facilities. This project is
currently in the planning stage and initial estimates call for an
investment ranging between $6-10 million to bring the system up to
standard.
Improving the sewage disposal system. In order to avoid dumping
sewage
into the sea, Eilat, in conjunction with the Eilot Regional Council has
built a system in which the urban wastewater is channeled to agricultural
settlements for irrigation. Currently, such water irrigates fields as far
as 60 kilometers from the city limits. In order to upgrade the current
regional disposal system, an investment of $10 million will be
required.
The forecast for wastewater and effluent reclamation in Eilat ranges
between 7.5-12.2 million cubic meters a year for the period between 1990
and 2010. An initial estimate for a project to purify effluent to a level
permitted for the unlimited use for agricultural purposes is $80 million.
Part of the financing is already available and the project is in the
process of being implemented.
Expansion of the Aqaba Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Aqaba wastewater treatment plant is now just below its full capacity.
In the near future and as a result of increasing tourism and development
due to the opening of borders with Israel, the treatment plant will be
overloaded. This requires expansion of the existing plant to avoid
negative environmental impacts on the surrounding areas.
The estimated cost of this project is about $ 30 million.
* This material is based on a report submitted by the Eilat Municipality.
Solid Waste Management
2.1 Introduction*
Population growth, rising standards of living and changes in consumption
patterns have resulted in the discharge of increasing quantities of waste
into the environment worldwide. Each person in Israel produces some 1.6 kg
of solid waste a day. The total quantity of waste produced in the country
annually by a population of about 5.3 million is equal to 3.1 million tons
- with quantities increasing at an average rate of 2% yearly. In a country
with meager land resources on the one hand, and ever-increasing quantities
of refuse on the other, sound management of solid waste is imperative,
Until recently, no comprehensive solution existed for the country's solid
waste problem. In 1993 some 96% of Israel's domestic waste was landfilled
in about 550 waste dumps, most of them poorly designed and managed, and
many having reached or almost reaching full capacity. In June 1993 the
government took a landmark decision designed to expedite the establishment
of central landfills, shut down hundreds of illegal waste dumps and create
an infrastructure for environmentally-safe solid waste disposal both in
short and long terms.
Specifically the decision called for the closure of most of the country's
small garbage dumps within three years, and their replacement by a few
authorized landfills - Ashdod and Evron to be prepared and equipped to
serve as regional sites on a temporary basis (three years); Duda'im and
Talya to be improved to serve as central sites for the country's waste;
the Eriya to be closed and rehabilitated, and Oron to be considered as a
central site for the future. The Duda'im and Talya sites have already been
bidded out and are to become operational mid- 1996,
All landfill sites will be required to adapt themselves to new
state-of-the-art standards in accordance with conditions stipulated by the
Ministry of the Environment. They will include the latest technologies for
every stage of landfill from siting to post-closure, including sealing,
leachate detection, collection, treatment and disposal, methane gas
collection and use, proper covering of the waste during operation, closure
procedures (landfill capping), and monitoring of possible groundwater
contamination during and after closure (up to 30 years). It is estimated
that by 1997, some 80% of the country's waste will be safely discarded at
environmentally-sound landfills.
* Based on material contributed by Messrs. Yossi Inbar, Ilan Nissim and
Dekel Amir-Shapira
2.2 Regional program for Solid Waste Disposal for the West Bank*
2.2.1 Introduction
The daily amount of waste generated by Palestinians is estimated to be 0.8
kg/capita. The total annual amount produced by the Paleestinian population is
estimated to be 460,000 tons, necessitating modifications in the waste
collection systems. Modern methods for collection have been adopted in the
cities. For example, compacting vehicles and hydraulic lift containers
have replaced open trucks. Some of the villages have formed associations
for the purpose of joint garbage collection, while others continue to
dispose of their waste into dumps adjacent to the villages.
Despite the improvement in collection procedures, the problem of waste
disposal in the cities has not been solved. The garbage is disposed in
unsuitable dumps creating environmental problems such as smoke, odor,
flies, and aquifer infiltration by waste leachate.
2.2.2 Solid Waste Disposal Master Plan
In 1987 the Civil Administration initiated a master plan for the disposal
of solid waste in Judea and Samaria.
Objectives
- Presentation of a planning solution for a 20 years period
- Demarcation of service districts
- Organization of regional collection and conveyance systems (waste
management).
Planning constraints
- Population forecast (natural growth)
- Waste production forecast - population in density communities
- Hydro-Geological sensitivity
- Landscape considerations
- Access routes, transportation problems, transportation distances,
service districts and road conditions
- Shortage of available land and its
compatibility with landfill and sealing methods.
Recommendations
- The "sanitary landfill" method is to be implemented for domestic waste
disposal, with other methods, such as incinerators and comport plants,
rejected.
- Seven high priority sites were selected to meet the needs of
the region for a 20 year period.
- The use of transfer stations to reduce
transportation costs.
- Due to the area's hydro-geological sensitivity,
most of the sites are required to comply with strict standards for
sealing.
- Upon completion of the Master Plan, the Civil Administration
commenced a detailed plan of the seven proposed solid waste disposal
sites.
Two of the seven sites are currently in operation. One is the Abu-Dis site
serving the area of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beit Jalah, and Beit Sahur to
the south of Jerusalem, and the A'Ram area to the north. The second site
is at Tovlan in the Jordan Valley.
Another three sites are ready for construction, after having passed all
the requisite stages of planning and statutory approvals - the Tel Hura
site in Hebron; the Azum site near Kalkilya and the Zaharat Funjan site
near Jenin.
Plans of the Dir Dibwan site near Ramallah have been completed, but are
currently being contested before the High Court of Justice. Plans for the
Dir Sharaf site designated to serve the cities of Nablus and Tulkarem are
currently in the final stages of statutory approval, with detailed
planning not yet completed.
The implementation of the Solid Waste Master Plan can provide an adequate
solution to the urgent problem of solid waste in the West Bank. Most of
the sites identified by the Master Plan are ready to be established, and
are awaiting the involvement of an entrepreneur, from either the public or
private sector. The site of Hebron, detailed below, is a good example of a
site that is ready to be developed.
* Based on material contributed by Mr. Micha Blum
2.2.3. Hebron East Sub-district at Tel Hura
The following proposal for the construction of a Solid Waste Disposal
Landfill for the Hebron East sub-district at Tel-Hura, is an example of
one site. While this site serves as a model for other sites, necessary
modifications will have to be made, as dictated by the specific conditions
of each site.
The site
The landfill will serve the city of Hebron, 10 Palestinian villages and
Israeli communities. The landfill site is designed over an area of 175
dunams (17.5 hectares) to meet the demands of about 20 years. The
population growth and the solid waste generated were estimated for the
same period of time. The landfill is designed to be sealed by double liner
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) to protect the groundwater form
contamination. The disposal of waste will be controlled by leachate
monitoring, bio-gas collection, treatment systems and daily waste
covering.
The landfill site is located south-east of the city of Hebron in a large
valley with gradual slopes. The topographical elevations within the site
fluctuate between +658 m to +680 m. The covering material for the waste
will be excavated at the site itself.
Solid Waste Generation Forecast
The forecast quantities were determined on the basis of 1.3 kg to 1.7 kg
of solid waste per person per day for the Israeli population, and 0.8 kg
to 12 kg per person per day for the Palestinian population. The average
values were based on the assumptions of the Master Plan for Solid Waste
Disposal for Judea and Samaria (Tahal - November 1987). The forecast is
for 20 years.
Landfill capacity requirements
For design purposes the bulk density of solid waste, including the cover
material, (25% of the waste volume) is estimated to reach 0.85 Ton/m3 in
10 years titne. Therefore, the volume of the landfill (solid waste and
cover material) is as follows:
| Table No. 4: The landfill volume - forecast m3 |
| Year |
Solid waste |
Cover material |
Total |
| 1 |
49,000 |
16,000 |
65,000 |
| 5 |
61,000 |
20,000 |
81,000 |
| 10 |
73,500 |
24,500 |
98,000 |
| 15 |
91,500 |
30,500 |
122,000 |
| 20 |
111,000 |
37,000 |
147,000 |
Landfill planning
The landfill is situated in a valley near the Hebron Carmel main road.
From the main road there is a dirt road leading to the site. 'Me area of
the landfill will be 174 dunams (17.5 hectares) and its facilities
include: the waste disposal site, service area, parking place, a heavy
equipment area, an operation's service structure, approach roads,
sedimentation ponds, drainage ditches and a boundary fence.
The geological formation is mostly Terrain and there is a danger of ground
water contamination. Therefore, the sanitary disposal area will be sealed
with suitable material and the runoff is to be directed from the
surrounding area of the site, to drainage ditches surrounding the
landfill. Furthermore, the leachate from the landfill will be collected by
a network of drainage pipes, through a central ditch beneath the waste
layers. to a collection pit, and from there will be treated by
sedimentation ponds.
The waste will be disposed by spreading it in layers of 1.0 m - 1.2 m, and
covering it at the end of each working day. The cover material will be
locally excavated by creating broad steps (2m high and 3m wide) on the
slopes of the valley. The excavated material will be used as cover
material on the solid waste layers and will be stored each time on a
higher step than the one that was dug before, removing it at the end of
the day or when completing a waste layer. The central ditch will be filled
with 45 cm granular material 10 to 30 mm in diameter and will serve as a
drainage layer. The excavation of the ditch will proceed in an upward
direction on the slope, each time the area of the steps is covered with
waste.
The compacted waste layers will reach the slope of the hills on the one
side and the earth dikes on the lower area at the northern side of the
site. The dikes will be 2m high, with slopes of 1:1.5 and 400m long on
the average. The dikes will start at +658 up to +680. In case of a need
for additional space the landfill can reach a level beyond +680 without
affecting the landscape.
The available volume of the landfill from the level of +618 to +680 is
about 2.068.000 m3. The volume is calculated for the waste volume alone.
The volume of the cover material will balance with its excavation
volume.
Prevention of environmental pollution by landfill leachate
As mentioned above, the geological formation on the site is Turonian,
feeding the ground water.
The structure of the bottom of the landfill will be as follows:
- Compacted subsoil
- Clay layer, 50cm thick (K < 10(-7) cm/sec).
- Drainage pipe 6".
- Drainage layer, 45 cm gravel or sand (K < 10(-2) cm/sec).
- Clay layer 30 cm thick (K < 10(-7) cm/sec).
- Geotextile layer and 1.5 mm thick plastic material (HDPE).
- Drainage layer with drainage pipes.
The service area
At the entrance to the site, there will be a 3.5 dunam service area with
space for the storage of heavy equipment, a service structure for the
workers, a car wash area, and if needed, a weigh bridge.
Landfill site operation
At the commencement of operating the landfill, 2m deep steps must be
excavated at the footsteps of the hills at the south-east side of the
site, in order to build dikes from the excavated soil. The dikes will be
2m high with 1:1.5 slopes. The first dike will be built on a foundation of
compacted material (Kurkar), protected on the outside with stones
compressed into a cement coat. The bottom of the site landfill will be
leveled and a main drainage ditch is to be excavated and filled with
crushed stones and coarse sand. On top of the subsoil there shall be a
layer of compacted clay 20 cm thick, covered with 1.5 mm plastic
sheets.
On the HDPE layer there is to be a 2040 cm thick drainage layer of crushed
stones and coarse sand, in which a network of drainage pipes and
collecting pipes (6-8) will be laid. These systems (sealing and drainage) can
be executed at first on part of the site only and continued later after a
few years, when the lower part of the landfill is filled with waste.
After preparing the first layer (the sealing layer and the drainage layer)
the disposal of waste can commence from the lowest end near the dike. Care
must be taken with the daily compaction by using appropriate equipment - a
bulldozer with sheep-legs having a large shovel. The compacted layer will
be covered daily with 15 cm thick layer. When the waste layer reaches the
height of 2m, another dike is to be built resting on the compacted waste
layer and on the existing dike.
Cost estimates
The main cost estimates, excluding daily operation costs such as
mechanical equipment, is $ 4.8 million.
Control of Flies in the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea Region*
Every summer, between August and October, enormous populations of house
flies invade the Jordan Valley and the Northern Arava. The northern Dead Sea
area also suffers from this problem, despite continual efforts that have
been made to control it. A coordinated program of pest control can be
launched between Israel and Jordan, to help eradicate this environmental
nuisance.
The following steps are suggested:
- Mapping infected areas and breeding grounds;
- Monitoring larvae in the breeding grounds and conducting adult fly counts;
- Employing preventative sanitation techniques to reduce breeding sites;
- Controlling adult populations by employing chemical agents and baited
traps.
Investment estimated for the various components of this project are
outlined below. Estimates are based on a projection duration of 3 years
and include allocations for manpower, capital equipment and materials.
Table No. 5:
Projected Requirements for Fly Control in the Jordan Rift Valley (thousand
U.S.
dollars)
| Project Component |
Requirements |
Estimated Investment |
| Survey and mapping |
7 professionals (5 in Israel and 2 in Jordan)
+ 4 vehicles |
300 |
| Monitoring with baited traps in breeding centers |
1000 traps in Jordan +300 in Israel, 5 people
(1 in Israel and 4 in Jordan) + 5 vehicles, 3 years |
290 |
| Spraying adult flies |
exact insecticide and staff requirements depend on results of mapping |
4,500 |
| Chemically treated poultry feed |
3 year supply of Larvadex poultry feed |
300 |
| Dung burial and covering |
3 tractors + personnel, primarily in Jordan |
200 |
| Administration and overhead |
|
540 |
| Total |
6,130 |
* This material was contributed by Mr. Uri Shalom.
Reducing the Use and Damage of Pesticides in the Jordan Valley
Introduction
Modern intensive agricultural methods may have negative repercussions on
environmental quality and human health. However, agricultural activity can
be transformed into environmentally-friendly activity through changes in
work processes and procedures, the success of which depend on effective
monitoring and control systems, the environmental awareness of farmers and
continuous research and development.
Although still in its infancy, integrated pest management (IPM) offers an
effective way of dealing with insect control problems and relies heavily on
protection and conservation of natural enemies, parasites, predators and
diseases that regulate or balance populations of pests. By encouraging
natural enemies, the need for chemical insecticides can be reduced
dramatically when compared to conventional spray programs. In cases where
chemical pesticides are ineffective in solving pest problems due to the
development of increased resistance by the pest to the poison, natural
enemies provide an effective solution which is safe for user, crop and
environment.
The overall goal of the proposal is to implement programs which will
maintain or increase crop yields and reduce pesticide use, exposure and
health risk. The framework for doing this is the joint
Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian Pesticide Project in the Jordan - Beit She'an
Valley. The major crops (on the Israeli side) are cotton, corn, alfalfa,
potatoes, carrots, industrial tomatoes, sunflower and safflower; the major
pest vector is the white fly (Bemisia); the major pesticide group is the
organophosphates. Pilot R&D projects in IPM and exposure assessment in the
region already exist, which may serve as a basis for the proposed
activities.
It is suggested that a regional integrated pest management system be
established, which should include: field projects, research and development,
and community based programs which will:
- Monitor pesticide resistance
- Collect data on enhancing the role of natural enemies to pests and
vectors
- Expand and evaluate IPM
- Assess and control pesticide-associated health hazards to humans and
animals.
This package of programs is based on a commitment to maintain crop yield
in a self-sustainable manner by reducing pesticide use and protecting
worker and community health. The framework is one of full cooperation in
sharing of data, project development and standard setting as part of the
joint Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian project.
The proposal requires:
- Vertical and horizontal coordination between all components
- Core budgeting for personnel, field and lab work, and communication
and information sharing.
Participants and components of the project
Israel, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority will cooperate on the following project components:
- Coordination
- Pest management at an intercrop level
- Health-medical components
- Management of Bemisia populations as a key pest in the region.