Groundwater aquifers susceptibility index of waterborne diseases outbreaks (ASIWD) in Nile Delta, Egypt

Osama M. Sallama, Karim Solimanb

aResearch Institute for Groundwater, National Water Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, email: sallamosama@hotmail.com
bWater Resources Research Institute, National Water Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, email: karim_soliman@nwrc.gov.eg

(2025) 107–118
https://doi.org/10.5004.dsal.2025.700029

References Abdel Maged, M.S.H. (1994) Water Logging Phenomena in the North of the Delta Region, MSc. thesis, Fac. of Sci., Cairo Univ, Egypt, 1994. Abdel-Razik, M.S.M., Rizk, H.I.I., Hassan, M.H.M. (2017) Surveillance of communicable diseases for decision making in Egypt: 2006–2013, East. Mediterr. Health J., 23(6): 395–403. https://doi.org/10.26719/2017.23.6.395 Aller, L., Bennet, T., Lehr, J.H., Petty, R.J. (1985) DRASTIC: Standardized System for Evaluating Ground Water Pollution Potential Using Hydrogeologic Settings. US EPA, Oklahoma. Aller L, Bennet T., Leher J.H., Petty R.J., Hackett G. (1987), DRASTIC: A Standardized System for Evaluating Groundwater Pollution Potential Using Hydrogeological Settings. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 600/2-87-035; 622. Armanuos A.M., Negm, A., Yoshimura, C., Valeriano, O.C.S. (2016) Application of WetSpass model to estimate groundwater recharge variability in the Nile Delta aquifer. Arab. J. Geosci. 9: 553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2580-x Arlt, H.D., (1995) hydrogeological study of the NDA with emphasis on SWI in the northern Area, Mitteilung/Institut fur Wasserbau und Wasserwirtschaft, Technische Universit at Berlin, Nr. 130, OCLC No. 636899992, pp. 291–302. Barbosa, M.R.F., Garcia, S.C., Bruni, A.D.C., Machado, F.S., de Oliveira, R.X., Dropa, M., da Costa, A.C., Leal, E., Brandão, C.J., da Silva, R.L.O., Iko, B.Y. (2022) One-year surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater from vulnerable urban communities in metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil. J. Water Health, 20(2): 471–490. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2022.210 Briffett, A., Houlden, L., Kirk, S., McMahon, A., Miles, P., Stephenson, R., Walker, E., (1996) Groundwater Pollution Research Reviews. Geraghty and Miller International, Inc Conqueror House, Vision Park, Histon. Cambridge, 85 p. Capmas (2021). The Central Agency for Mobilization and Statistics reports for the year 2021. Civita, M.V. (2010). The combined approach when assessing and mapping groundwater vulnerability to contamination. J. Water Resour. Protect., 2(1): 1185. doi:10.4236/jwarp.2010.21003 CONOCO, Co. (1987) The geological map of Egypt. Scale 1:500.000. General Petrol. Co., Cairo. Dahab, K., (1993) Hydrogeological evaluation of the ND after High Dam construction, Ph.D. thesis, Fac. of Sci., Menoufia Univ, Egypt. Daleiden, B., Niederstätter, H., Steinlechner, M., Wildt, S., Kaiser, M., Lass-Flörl, C., Posch, W., Fuchs, S., Pfeifer, B., Huber, A., Oberacher, H. (2022) Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Austria: development, implementation, and operation of the Tyrolean wastewater monitoring program. J. Water Health 20(2): 314–328. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2022.218 Diab, M. S., Dahab, K., El Fakharany, M., (1997) Impacts of the paleohydrological conditions on the groundwater quality in the northern part of ND, Geol. Soc. Egypt, Geol. J. 41(2B): 779–795. Elewa, H.H., El Nahry, A.H. (2009) Hydro-environmental status and soil management of the River Nile Delta, Egypt. Environ. Geol (2009) 57:759–774, doi:10.1007/s00254-008-1354-5 Farid, M.S. (1985) Management of groundwater system in the ND, Ph.D. thesis, Fac. of Eng., Cairo Univ, Egypt. Foster, S., Hirata, R., Gomes, D., Delia, M., Paris, M. (2002)Groundwater Quality Protection: A Guide for Water Utilities, Municipal Authorities, and Environment Agencies. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, The World Bank: Washington, DC, USA. Hegazy, D., El-Bastaweesy, M., Garamoon, H., Melegy, A., Elsaid, M.A. (2018) The impacts of human and agriculture activities on the groundwater quality in Motorod, Abu Zabal, East Nile Delta, Egypt, Al Azhar Bull. Sci., 29(2): 59–71. https://doi.org/10.21608/absb.2018.60531 Hossain, S.M.S, Haque, M.E., Pramanik, M.A,H., Jalal Uddin, M., Al Harun, M.A.Y. (2020) Assessing the groundwater quality and health risk: A case study on Setabganj sugar mills limited, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, Wat. Sci., 34(1): 110–123, https://doi.org/10.1080/11104929.2020.1790184 Kim, Y.J., Hamm, S.Y. (1999) Assessment of the potential for groundwater contamination using the DRASTIC/EGIS technique, Cheongju area, South Korea. Hydrogeol. J., 7(2): 227–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100400050195 Leaven, M.T., (1991) Hydrogeological study of the ND and adjacent desert areas, Egypt, with emphasis on hydrochemistry and isotope hydrology, thesis, Free Univ, Amsterdam, also published by RIGW/IWACO as technical note TN 77.01300-91-01, 1991.

$45.00

Abstract

The Corona pandemic and its significant economic and social effects, as well as the large spread of parasites, motivated us to conduct this research to develop a map of the sensitivity of groundwater pollution to waterborne pathogens. This study aims to create an index for evaluating groundwater aquifers’ susceptibility to waterborne diseases outbreaks risks. During this study, groundwater Aquifer Susceptibility Index to Waterborne Disease outbreaks (ASIWD) was developed by appending a new attribute designated as waterborne diseases parameters such as urbanization, population density, water drains density, and existing sewage treatment systems. The study area covers eight governorates in Egypt, Menoufia, Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, Sharqia, Daqahlia, Qalyubia, Gharbia, and Damietta. By analyzing the ability of the aquifer to transmit infection for waterborne diseases, the main conclusions are: (i) In Qalyubia governorate, the percentage of the area is exposed to very high risks reaches more than 90% of the total area, while in Menoufia, Gharbia, Dakahlia, and Sharqia, it reaches 51%, 48%, 18%, and 17% respectively. (ii) the area is exposed to very high risks reaching 32%, 24%, 32%, and 32% of the total area in the governorates of Menoufia, Beheira, Gharbia, and Dakahlia, respectively. (iii) the area is exposed to medium risks representing 32%, 24%, 32%, and 32% of the area of Damietta, Sharkia, and Beheira governorates, respectively, and (iv) the area is exposed to Low to very low risks, reaches 98%, 55%, and 44% of the total area of Kafr El-Sheikh, Dakahlia and Beheira governorates respectively. ASIWD approved the importance of including anthropogenic parameters in susceptibility computations and its reliability as an effective tool for investigating groundwater aquifer susceptibility to waterborne disease outbreaks in Egypt’s Nile Delta study area. Groundwater in the study is in hydraulic connection with surface water from Nile River branches, irrigation canals, and drainage networks; therefore, maintaining groundwater quality requires an integrated approach for both ground and surface water.so, it is recommended to improve the irrigation system and prevent the continuous drainage of sewage and wastewater to the canals and the drainage system. Sewage treatment services must be developed and concentrated in very high-risk governorates such as Qalyubia, Menoufia, and Gharbia. Also, highly recommended to make public awareness about the threats of pollution on groundwater resources, especially in susceptible areas.

Keywords: Nile delta; Groundwater; Aquifers; Susceptibility index; Waterborne diseases

Details
Product Details

Product Details

16 other entries in the same category: