Groundwater Quality Modeling and Mitigation from Wastewater Used in Irrigation, a Case Study of the Nile Delta Aquifer in Egypt

Groundwater is an essential freshwater source because traditional sources of freshwater, such as rainfall and rivers, are unable to provide all residential, industrial, and agricultural demands. Groundwater is replenished by different sources: rivers, canals, drains, and precipitation. This research aims to apply numerical models for a real case study (Bahr El Baqar drain) in the Eastern Nile aquifer to monitor groundwater quality due to the use of wastewater from drains directly in irrigation due to the shortage of freshwater in this area. In addition, the effect of over-pumping from the aquifer is studied to show the extent of contaminants in groundwater. Moreover, a management strategy was achieved through mixing treated wastewater with freshwater to reduce the contamination of groundwater and overcome water shortage. Visual MODFLOW is used to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport into the Eastern Nile aquifer (ENDA), Egypt. In this study, three stages including 15 scenarios (five scenarios for each stage) were settled to achieve the study objectives. The first stage was carried out to investigate the impact of using untreated wastewater for irrigation due to the shortage of freshwater in this area. The results of this stage showed that increasing the use of untreated wastewater increased the contamination of the aquifer. The average COD concentrations in the five scenarios reached 23.73, 33.76, 36.49, 45.13, and 53.15 mg/L. The second stage was developed to evaluate the impact of over-pumping and using untreated wastewater for irrigation due population increase and a reduction of freshwater in the Nile Delta. The results revealed that over-pumping has increased the contamination of the aquifer and the average COD concentrations increased to 25.3, 33.34, 40.66, 48.6, and 54.17 mg/L. The third stage was applied to investigate the impact of mixing treated wastewater with freshwater for irrigation to support the freshwater quantity. The results of this stage led to enhanced water quality in the aquifer and the average COD concentrations decreased to 20.26, 23.13, 26.03, 30, and 32.83 mg/L. The results showed that mixing freshwater with treated wastewater has a good influence on water quality, can be safely used in irrigation and reduces the effects on farmers’ health and life.