عباسلا يلودلا يندرألا نيدعتلا رمتؤمTHE 7th JORDANIAN INTERNATIONAL MINING

CONFERENCE

Strategic Energy Resources and Development challenges in the Mining Sector

21-23 October 2014Amman - Jordan

Conference Program

Organized by

Jordan Engineers Association/

Mining, Geological and Petroleum Engineering Branch

Amman – Jordan

Jordan Engineers AssociationMining, Geological and Petroleum

Engineering Branch

Day one - Tuesday, 21st October 2014Al Reem Hall

Kempinski hotel

INAUGURATION08:00-10:00 Reception and Registration

10:00 - 11:20Opening Ceremony Chairman of Organizing CommitteeHead of Mining, Geological and Petroleum Engineering BranchChairman of Jordan Engineers Association Patron speech His Royal Highness the Prince Al Hassan Bin Talal

11:20-12:50 Exhibition Opening and Welcome Coffee Break

Day One Session-1 Energy Resources and Environment

Al-Reem Hall

Chairman: Dr. Jamal AlaliSouth for Oil Shale Co., Jordan

Co-Chairman: Dr. Awwad Titi Al-Hussein Ben Talal University, Jordan

13:45 – 14:10 

Enefit’s Experience in Jordan Oil Shale Reserve Estimation: A Movement from Optimism to RealismEng. Erkki Kaisla, Dr. Muwafaq Al-Zoubi - Enefit, Estonia.

14:10 – 14:35 

Developing Jordan's First Oil Shale Fired Power Plant and First Oil Shale Mine: The Challenges of Creating an Environmental Impact Assessment Eng. Tobias Henrik Andersen, Enefit, Estonia.

14:35 – 15:00 

Toward Site Selection Of Permanent Geological Disposal For High-Level Nuclear Waste In JordanDr. Mohammad Dweirj, Dr. Khaled Tarawneh, Dr. Awad Al Titi and Dr. Salahedin Malkawi - Al Hussein Bin Talal University, Jordan.

15:00-16:00 L U N C H

Keynote Speech 1: Dr. Trad El Ahmed, Freelance Consultation, Syria Strategic Energy Resources12:50 – 13:45 Al Reem Hall

Chairman: Prof. Hani Khouri Co-Chairman: Geo. Taha Al-Khawaldeh University of Jordan, Jordan Arab Mining Co., Jordan

Day Two - Wednesday, 22nd October 2014Al Reem Hall

Day Two Session-2 Water Resources and Environment

Al-Reem Hall

   Chairman: Prof. Elias Salameh Co-Chairman: Eng. Eiad Al-Hajebi University of Jordan, Jordan Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan.

11:15-11:40 Broadcasting and Early warning for Piloting Climate Change In Arab world – Case study, JordanEng. Muawia Samarah, Dr. Shedeh Ghannam, Dr. Orabi Al-Rawi and Dr. Monther Alawneh, Al-Isra University-Jordan

11:40-12:05 

Hydrogeological, hydrochemical and geophysical investigations to study the potential of underground water storage along King Abdullah Canal – Deir Alla Area /JordanProf. Elias Salameh, Dr Hani Al-Amoush and Dr Marwan Al-Raggad, University of Jordan-Jordan

12:05-12:30 

Wastewater Recycling and Reuse – New Paradigm for integrated water use–Pure, Safe and CleanDr. Suhail Wahsheh, Ministry of Water and Irrigation-Jordan

12:30-12:55 Study of the Properties of Eshidiya Mine Wastewater for Reuse purposes

Eng. Ehab Hijazeen -Jordan Oil Shale Company - Jordan

12:55-13:45 Coffee Break

Panel Discussion: Red Sea–Dead Sea Canal 10:00 – 11:15 Al Reem Hall

H.E. Dr. Hazim El-Naser - Minister of Water and Irrigation, Jordan. H.E. Dr. Shaddad Attili – Ex. Water Minister, Head of Palestinian Water Authority, Palestine

H.E. Eng. Jamal Qammoh – Chairman of the Parliament Energy Committee, Jordan.H.E. Eng. Maisoon Al-Zoubi - Water Expert, Former Secretary General of MOWI, Jordan

H.E. Saleh Al-Armouti –Former President of Jordan Bar Association

Chairman: Eng Mohammad Abu Taha (Water and Environment Consultant, Jordan)

Day Two Session-3 Mining Technology and Exploration

Al-Reem Hall

Chairman: Eng. Mohammad Radwan Almomani Ministry of Water and Irrigation

Co-Chairman: Eng. Mohammad FandiFreelance Consultant

13:45-14:10 

The Significance Of Gossans Metallogenic Province Occurrence At Qala En Nahal Area-Gadaref StateEng. Mohmed Ali, Eng. El Sammani, Y., Eng.Abdel Rahman, E, Eng. Ibrahim, M. - The Geological Research Authority of the Sudan - Sudan

14:10-14:35 Drilling and Blasting Operations for Limestone Extraction in Lahej National Cement Factory, Yemen نميلا - جحل ةينطولا تنمسا عنصم يف يريجلا رجحلا ماخ جارختسال ريجفتلاو رفحلا يتيلمع Eng. Abdullah Aklan- Lahej National Cement Factory - Yemen,

14:35-15:00  Tunnel-Based Horizontal-Drilling Rig Design for Oil Shale Extraction

Eng. Samer Alshaer, Eng. Mohammad Alshareef, Eng. Anas al Marmeh, Eng. Abdallah Brijih, and Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji – Philadelphia University -Jordan

15:00-16:00 L U N C H

Day Two - Wednesday, 22nd October 2014 (Parallel - Sessions)

Session- 4 Mineral Processing and Mining EconomySun Hall

Chairman: Eng. Zainelabdin Khalid Zainelabdin Elfaki- Mining House Company -Saudi Arabia

Co-Chairman: Eng. Omar TahatMEMR, Jordan

11:15-1140 A new Technology To Produce Phosphoric Acid, Pure Chemical Gypsum And Pure Fertilizer From Jordanian PhosphateEng. Ibrahim Rabb’a-Natural Resources Authority-Jordan

11:40-12:05  Rare Earth Elements Extraction from Florida Phosphate

Dr. Salah Al-Thyabat –Al Hussein Bin Talal University, Jordan and Prof Patrick Zhang, Florida Phosphate Research Centre- USA

12:05-12:30  The Concentration Of Elements In Oil Shale Ash of Al-Zraq Area - Jordan

Abdullah Al-shafie and Khaled Abu Rass -Tafila Technical University, Jordan12:30-12:55 Economic Feasibility Studies for Gold and Chrome Mining in the Blue Nile State of

Sudan نادوسلا - قرزألا لينلا ةيالو يف موركلاو بهذلا نيدعتل ةيداصتقالا ىودجلا تاسارد Kefah Othman – Kamilia Co. - Sudan

12:55-13:45 Coffee Break

Day Two Session-5 Engineering Geology and Industrial Rocks

Sun Hall

Chairman: Prof. Yosef MasannatUniversity of Jordan, Jordan

Co-Chairman: Eng. Ali NasserJordan Engineers Association, Jordan

13:45-14:10 

Vibration Characteristics, Frequency and Damping of the Al-Mujib Bridge and the DeltaEng. Mohammad Fandi Naser-Freelance Consultant, Jordan

14:10-14:35Reinforcement of Concrete Block With Marble WasteEng. Zainelabdin Khalid Zainelabdin Elfaki- Mining House Company -Saudi Arabia

14:35-15:00  Landsliding, Excavation and Shoringميعدتلا لامعأو فيرجتلاو تارايهنالا

Eng. Sameer El-Shekh - Arab Bridge for Geotechnical Studies - Jodan

15:00-16:00 L U N C H

Day Three - Thursday, 23rd October, 2014Al Reem Hall

Day Three Session-6 Mining Sector Development

Al-Reem Hall

  

Chairman: Eng. Mohhamad GharibehFreelance Consultant

Co-Chairman: Eng. Darweesh QandeelFreelance Consultant

11:00 – 11:25 Socioeconomic Impact of Mining on the Jordanian local communitiesDr. Rami Al- Rawashdeh, Dr. Awad Al-Titi, Dr. Khaled Tarawneh and Eng. Mohammad Awwawdeh- Al Hussein Bin Talal University-Jordan

11:25 – 11:50 Barriers to investment in Mining Sector in Jordan ندرألا يف نيدعتلا عاطق يف رامثتسإلا تاقوعم Eng. Mohammad Al-Hammouri and Geo. Imad Shorbaji – EMRC - Jordan

11:50 – 12:15 The role of the mining sector in the Jordanian economy developmentيندرألا داصتقالا يف نيدعتلا عاطق رودDr. Khaled Al-Momani and Eng. Mohammad Al-Hmmouri – EMRC - Jordan

12:15 – 12:40 The role of the Research and Quality Departments in R&D operations In Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. ةيندرألا تافسوفلا مجانم ةكرش يف ريوطتلاو ثحبلا تايلمع يف ةدوجلاو ثاحبألا ةرئاد رودEng. Dina Al-Rayyan, Eng. Qasim Al-Shbool – JPMC - Jordan

12:40 – 13:05 Rationalization the Exploitation of Industrial Rocks and Minerals: the Tunisian Experience ةيسنوتلا ةبرجتلا :حالمألاو ةيعانصلا روخصلا لالغتسا ديشرت Eng. Najah El-Shareef – Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines -Tunisia

13:05-13:45 Coffee Break

Keynote Speech 2: Prof. Hani Khoury, University of Jordan

Geopolymers: New Products from kaolinite for Sustainability of the Environment 10:00– 11:00 AL Reem Hall

Chairman: Eng. Ahmad Mubaideen Co-Chairman: Eng. Mohammad Hammouri Freelance Consultant, Jordan MEMR, Jordan

Day Three - Thursday, 23rd October 2014 (Parallel - Sessions)

Session- 7 Engineering Geology and Resource Assessment

Sun Hall

Chairman: Erkki KaislaEnefit

Co-Chairman: Dr. Nasser NawasrehArabella Centre for Engineering Studies

11:00 – 11:25The Problem Of Black Sands Provenance Examples; Marsa Sagier, Mohmed Qol, And Trinkitat, The Red Sea Coast Of The SudanMohmed Ali, NW., El Sammani,Y., Osman, O. - The Geological Research Authority - Sudan

11:25 – 11:50 Current status and SWOT analysis of renewable energy sources in JordanDr. Jamal Jaber - Faculty of Engineering, Philadelphia University -Jordan

11:50 – 12:15 Nuclear Technique In Water Resources Assessment And Management In JordanEng. Mohammad Radwan Almomani - Ministry of Water and Irrigation - Jordan.

12:15 – 12:40 Extraction and processing of copper ores Jordan يندرألا ساحنلا ماخ ةجلاعمو صالختسا Eng. Omar Tahat, Nour Daajah and Eng. Wejdan Al-Ajarmeh – MEMR - Jordan.

12:40 – 13:05Geochemical Study For Gold & Associated Elements, In The J. Moya Area, Sennar State, South Eastern Sudan.Osman Abuagla Daffalla ,EL-Sheikh Mohammed Abdrahman – GRAS - Ministry of Minerals - Sudan

13:05-13:45 Coffee Break

13:45 – 14:45CLOSING SESSION/ Al Reem Hall

Eng. Sameer El-SheikhDr. Muwafaq Al-Zoubi

Dr. Khaled Al-Tarawneh

14:45-15:45 L U N C H

Days Four and Five (Optional) Friday-Saturday  24th -25th , October 2014Paid Field Trip: Visit to Petra

Fees (Inclusive of accommodation and exclusive of Petra entry fees): 100 JOD

Appropriate Drought Response: Artificial Recharge, Water Harvesting and Greywater Efficiencies in Jordan.

S.Muawia and, G. ShehdehDepartment of Civil Engineering

Al-Isra University

Abstract:

Studies an appropriate drought response keys as artificial recharge , water harvesting and using greywater in Jordan could give evidence for alternative key solution methods that can optimise the use of rain-fed recharge in watersheds to augment storage in the aquifer basins. In addition to maximising the benefits and potentiality from the artificial recharge schemes in wadi systems.

Atmospheric precipitation is the main input to the majority of the hydrological and hydrogeological systems in Jordan .Moreover, knowledge of the isotopic composition of the surface runoff stored in the recharge dams is an indispensible parameter for the use of these isotopes as a natural tracer in hydrological and hydrogeological investigations. The variation of the isotopic signature of the groundwater at the recharge dams could give an evidence of groundwater replenishment through the unsaturated zone processes.

This paper include investigations of many water harvesting schemes including water harvesting from buildings roofs and agriculture in addition to artificial recharge techniques using geochemical and environmental isotope technique including the conventional methods for two recharge dams in Jordan, while the paper is part of activities that existed within the framework of a technical cooperation projects with the IAEA. The location of the study areas are shown in the following Figure (1).

The conclusions indicated that these appropriate drought response keys could be effective

solutions for water governance in Jordan.

Keywords: Drought;Water Governance;Artificial Recharge; Water Harvesting ;Greywater ;groundwater replenishment; sediments; monitoring; Jordan

1. Historical review

Jordan is considered as one of the three most water scarce countries in the World in water

availability. The actual water usage in Jordan exceeds more than two times of the safe

yield and groundwater wells are being exploited at unsustainable rates. The agricultural

sector consumes approximately 66 % of Jordan’s annual water budget for irrigation.

Jordan has been suffering from climate change since the last four decades. The studies in

this regard revealed that climate change is expected to affect quantity and quality of the

country's water resources. Previous local studies investigated the weather records showed

an increase in the magnitude and frequency of extreme temperatures with decrease

precipitations. These changes are expected to increase the water scarcity in the country

this will worsen health conditions of Jordanians who already suffer from a severe water

shortage with a current per capita of less than 60 L/C/day.

Groundwater is the major water resource in Jordan and most of the groundwater basins

are already exploited beyond their estimated safe yield. This leads to contamination and

decline of water levels.

Meteorological observation over the last three decades show that throughout Jordan, there

has been an increase in the frequency of high rainfall intensity and a decrease in the mean

annual rainfall. Jordan suffers from water shortages due to low amount of annual rainfall

and high evaporation rate as it is located in a semi arid region. More than 60% of its

water resources are being used for agriculture, where treated wastewater is an important

portion of this source especially during summer seasons where an increase demand on

water exists. The shift of climate in the eastern Mediterranean to warmer and drier

conditions results in higher demand for irrigation water. The expected shortage in water

resources for irrigation will be substituted by higher use of treated wastewater which

could be the main source of irrigation water in the country.

Hydrological observation and monitoring using rain gauges distribution and aquifer types

are important in investigating and studying the possibilities of Artificial Recharge , Water

Harvesting and optimizing the use of rainfall-fed recharge to augment storage in the

aquifer basins, besides planning and integrated management procedures for a better

understanding to secure water supply for future generations and to achieve the highest

possible welfare, water use has to be sustainable and efficient.

Water Scarcity in Jordan specially becomes one of the most vital issues that need

sustainable solutions and managements. Limitations of water, one of the scarcest

resources in Jordan, are likely to have a significant impact on the economic development

of the countries. The demand for water to serve expanding population in Jordan

continues to increase, however, while fresh-water supplies are finite, and it is becoming

more and more difficult to develop them on a renewable basis. A water shortage in

Jordan is magnified by the following factors:

Climatic conditions mainly aridity, severe drought periods during the last three decades and limited precipitation amounts.

The rapid development in the water demanding sectors such as municipal, industries and tourism.

The progressing standards of living and higher levels of education, which implies higher demands for domestic water uses.

Population pressure as a result of high growth rates and refugee waves.

Measures already adopted to counter the mounting water scarcity in Jordan, such as water

conservation and generation of additional water sources (treating and recycling

wastewater, desalination and water harvesting) will also serve as future adaptations

necessitated by climate change. Increased surface runoff will increase flash floods during

peak water flows. This water is completely lost as a consequence of high evaporation

rates, together with outcropping of impermeable formations. So it is necessary to utilize

the winter rain to augment the storage by artificial means, therefore a number of artificial

recharge (AR) dams have been constructed to recharge the groundwater systems and to

improve the water quality.

In its efforts to adapt to water scarcity problem, the Jordanian Ministry of water and

irrigation issued water governance, water strategy and several policies to conserve water

and seek alternative supplies. In addition to increasing water use efficiency, water

harvesting systems, wastewater reuse, virtual water, and desalination were identified as

potential adaptive measures to water scarcity. To augment storage in aquifer basins;

water harvesting schemes such as; constructing dams and /or elevating previous dams ,

constructing desert pools , pets and irrigation, reclaimed wastewater is being used on an

increasing scale. Treated Wastewater (TWW) is discharged to wadis, where it can be

mixed with surface water such as in King Talal dam and then used for unrestricted

irrigation which takes place in the Jordan Valley.

2. Objectives of the study

The objective of the study is to conduct the detailed the hydrology study was carried out

for the study area to include the followings:

Historical hydrological data was analyzed and presented in various

frequencies or return periods.

Discussing and evaluating the hydrological Data

Hydrology Calculations of Flood for the most feasible return

period that may occur to the targeted study area along the route of

the water flood drain.

3. Optimizing the Use of Rainfall - fed Recharge In Wadi Rajil to Augment Storage in The Azraq Aquifer Basin, Jordan

Wadi Rajil sub-catchment area is the largest wadi in Azraq Basin and considered the

most important wadi entering the Azraq Basin from the north. It is ungauged wadi which

covers an area of about 3910 square kilometer .The long term average rainfall on Wadi

Rajil sub-catchment is about 395.39 MCM / Y, where it distributes as; Runoff 10.11

MCM/Y, Infiltration 9.9 MCM/Y, and total losses of evaporation and initial abstraction

375.38 MCM/Y.The storm runoff mostly occurs in the study area between January and

March, where heavy thunderstorms occur in April and May, causing significant floods

covering the area.The flood waters are not utilized , and a small portion infiltrates into the

ground , where the great portion of these waters remains over Qaa' Azraq few months

before evaporation.

The appropriate geological, hydrological and water quality characteristics of the flood

water indicate that the Wadi Rajil in particular and the Azraq Basin in general is

considered to be as the most optimistic area for groundwater artificial means .

The Wadi Rajil depression is considered as having formed apart of a large Pleistocene

lake of the Azraq depression. During the Quaternary age , the depression went through

different stages of accumulation and erosion .

The major wadis leading to the Wadi Rajil depression show a system of alluvial fans

consisting of gravel materials and becoming more pure silt-loamy in the direction of the

depression.

Due to the lack of actual flow data in the whole of Azraq Basin in general and

particularly in Wadi Rajil drainage area , no data are available about surface runoff in this

basin , therefore , this study carried out a calculation of the surface water potential of

Wadi Rajil to be utilized for groundwater artificial recharge, applying the SCS

Curvilinear Synthetic Unit Hydrograph Method. The Synthetic unit hydrograph of Wadi

Rajil area is characterized by a peak value of 42115 cubic feet per second (1192 m3 /

sec) per one inch of rainfall excess and a flood duration of about 90 hours.

Unit Hydrograph of Wadi Rajil Catchment AreaThe English units was used in this calculation of Unit Hydrograph of this catchment area

Then , the obtained peak discharge ( Qp ) values were converted to the Metric units . The

parameters obtained from the topographic maps are :

A = 1527.3 square mile

L = 118.75 mile ( mi )

H = 3444.9 feet ( ft )

Tc = 28.08 Hours .

The duration is assumed to be ; D = 1 hour . Then ,

Tp = 17.348 Hours .

Qp = 42610.86 ( cfs ) = 1207 ( m / sec ).

The T / Tp and Q/Qp values of the generalized dimensionless Unit Hydrograph of the

SCS were used to derive the synthetic Unit Hydrograph of Wadi Rajil sub-catchment

area. The obtained values of this hydrograph were corrected to ensure mass balance of

the unit depth of the rainfall under the area of the hydrograph which must be equal one

inch . The corrected unit hydrograph values of Wadi Rajil are illustrated below .

Derivation of Wadi Rajil Flood HydrographsThe incremental runoff values were applied to the UH with the time lag , and the

individual hydrographs were obtained for each incremental runoff . The addition of these

hydrographs gives the total storm hydrograph The calculated peak discharge were 14.1 ,

188.4 , 412.2 , and 677.5 cubic meter per second ( m3/s ) for the 10,25,50,and 100 year

return period . The calculated flood volumes were 1.1 , 17.4 , 38.3 , and 62.9 million

cubic meter ( MCM ) for the same return periods respectively .

5. Use of Isotopes and Geochemical Techniques in the Study of Artificial Recharge; Summary Report about the National Activities on the IAEA

Project ARASIA-RAS/8/103 "Use of Isotopes and Geochemical Techniques in the Study of Artificial Recharge". The main target of the Project RAS / 8/ 103 is to explore the possibility of storing these

waters by artificial recharge in selected aquifers that having groundwater mining to make

use of them during the drought periods. The geochemical and isotope techniques in

studying the efficiency of artificial recharge schemes in selected sites will help in

determining the characteristics and criteria for the best locations (best aquifer systems).

Three sites for application isotope and geochemical methods in studying artificial

recharge in Jordan have been selected as:

Siwaqa (AR) dam site south of Amman

Wala (AR) dam site south of Amman

Rajil (AR) dam site at the eastern part of Jordan

Wadi Madonna site east of Amman

The location of the study areas is shown in the following Figure

Study sites – Hydrological background:

Siwaqa AR Dam:

Siwaqa dam is located around 70 km south of the capital city of Amman in the Mujib

basin. The catchment area of wadi Siwaqa is 189 km2. The dam was constructed in 1994

with a storage capacity of 2.5 million m3. Flows to the dam originate from flood runoff

during major rainfall events. The water is extracted from the aquifer for drinking water

supply exceeding the available groundwater resources. The landscape is dominated by

hilly terrain with loamy soils and sparse vegetation cover. The main aquifer is known

locally as B2/A7 consisting of scilicified limestone, karstic limestone intercalated with

chert from the Upper Cretaceous period. The aquifer in this area is unconfined and flows

to the western direction. The hydrochemistry of the groundwater is Ca-Mg-HCO3 type

with TDS content of less than 850 mg/L. The depth to water table at the dam site is

around 95 m.

Rajil AR Dam:

Rajil dam was constructed in Wadi Rajil catchment in Azraq basin in 1991. The purpose

of constructing the dam is to optimize the Rainfall – Fed Recharge in wadi Rajil to

Augment Storage in the Azraq Aquifer Basin. The storage capacity of the dam is 3.5

million m3. Wadi Rajil sub-catchment area is the largest wadi in Azraq Basin and

considered the most important wadi entering the Azraq Basin from the north. The long-

term average rainfall on Wadi Rajil sub-catchment is about 395.39 MCM / Y, where it

distributes as; Runoff 10.11 MCM/Y, Infiltration 9.9 MCM/Y, and total losses of

evaporation and initial abstraction 375.38 MCM/Y. The storm runoff mostly occurs in the

study area between January and March, where heavy thunderstorms occur in April and

May, causing significant floods covering the area. The appropriate geological,

hydrological and water quality characteristics of the flood water indicate that the Wadi

Rajil in particular and the Azraq Basin in general is considered to be as the most

optimistic area for groundwater artificial means. The Wadi Rajil depression is considered

as having formed apart of a large Pleistocene lake of the Azraq depression. During the

Quaternary age, the depression went through different stages of accumulation and erosion

the major wadis leading to the Wadi Rajil depression show a system of alluvial fans

consisting of gravel materials and becoming more pure silt-loamy in the direction of the

depression. In the drainage courses of the different tributary wadis, mainly gravel

material is deposited. But outside these wadis the area is filled with silt-loamy materials,

which contain certain amount of gravel in thin layers deposited during floods coming

from the tributary wadis. The main aquifer is known locally as B4/B5 and consisting of

marly limestone, chalky limestone intercalated with chert of Paleocene. The depth to

watertable in the area of the dam is about 52 meter below ground level. The

Hydrological, hydrogeological and hydrochemical data is available for the subcatchment

area of wadi rajil. At present no observation wells within close proximity of the dam,

however an observation well will be installing this year to make a useful contribution to

the project.

Wala AR Dam:

Wala dam is located 45 km south of Amman in the Mujib basin. It is constructed in 2003

for water harvesting purposes to collect the flood water at Wadi Wala about 3 km east of

the Highway Bridge and to provide surface storage prior to direct injection into the

B2/A7 aquifer which is the main aquifer in the basin. The dam has a capacity of 9.3

million cubic meters with acatchment of 2000 square kilometer. The floodwater created

from the rainfall occurred at the eastern highland drained through the Wadi Wala

enhancing the groundwater recharge. In the last three years the water impound in the

Wala Dam was naturally infiltrated the exposed rocks in the dam reservoir replenishing

the aquifer system downstream the dam whereas the water table in the Heedan well field

rised by more than 10m and the discharge capacity of the well has been increased and the

eight injection wells that were drilled downstream of the dam never having been used.

The Wadi Wala-Wadi Heedan well field located west of the dam, supplies water for the

Capital Amman and Madaba city. The limestone of the upper aquifer (B2/A7) is highly

faulted and folded, therefore the transmissivity of the aquifer is high and estimated to be

around 850 – 1300 m2/day (Samarah; 1999). The estimated volume of water recharged

over the past three years is about 30 million cubic meter.

Water management relation:

Depleted groundwater resources as in the case of Siwaqa (AR) dam site may be

replenished and recovered by means of induced of artificial recharge. This will allow a

sustainability of the Siwaqa drinking water supply well field in the area.

On the case of Wala dam and Rajil dam, isotope hydrology application on these sites

would examine the potential of the dam sites to augment groundwater recharge

General Discussions:

Five, One and 9 groundwater level observation wells at Siwaqa, Rajil and Wala dams

were taken into consideration. The hydrographs of dam observation wells indicate that a

seasonal variations of the groundwater table existed mainly at the beginning of dam

operation. The continuous declining of the water table within water years 1998-2000 is a

result of dry winter seasons that these recharge dams at the highland were almost empty.

Tritiated groundwater recharged after 1963 is present only in a thin layer overlying the

old groundwater without tritium. In Siwaqa dam, pumped groundwater is a mixture of

both kinds of groundwater, which may have a tritium value below its detection level.

(Momani, 2005). Since Siwaqa, Rajil and Wala dams existed as pilot schemes for

artificial recharge to the groundwater. On conclusions, the recharge to the groundwater

existed to the upper section of the aquifers especially at the first years of dams operation.

During the past years there has been considerable deposition of silt and clay at the bottom

of the lakes. This is mainly caused by flood events, due to this continuous deposition as

likely aquitard; the efficiency of current groundwater recharge is questionable.

It highly recommended that protection of artificial recharge dams from silts and

sediments need to be rectified. Accumulation of silt should be a major factor to be

considered in the evaluation and design of artificial recharge systems in Jordan.