Final report : technical assistance to the Aqaba wastewater project (278-0206) groundwater monitoring program, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, phase I - initial evaluation

Initial external evaluation covers the period through 5/86 and is based on site visits, the collection and testing of groundwater samples, and interviews with project personnel. Good progress is being made. Six of the eight planned monitoring wells have been drilled in the recommended areas and additional drilling is underway. The wells are more than adequate for monitoring. None of the wells has yet been developed or stabilized, but this will be undertaken soon. Grab sampling has been conducted at all wells; improved procedures are needed for consistency in sampling, transportation of samples, and recording of data. Nonetheless, the limited sampling and testing performed to date indicate fairly conclusively that the Aqaba wastewater plant is located above a mixing zone of two very different (qualitatively and quantitatively) aquifers, Wadi Aram and Wadi Utam. WAJ central laboratory facilities are well-equipped and well-staffed and include a new bacteriological unit. The facilities appear to be fully capable of performing all required testing. Also, WAJ has cooperative relations with the Royal Scientific Society's lab. Three district labs are being planned, primarily for bacteriological testing; one of these will be located in Maan. With start-up of the Aqaba plant immiment, it is recommended that: (1) WAJ complete the construction of monitoring wells and immediately conduct sampling and testing to obtain baseline data on the aquifers; (2) the quantitative and qualitative configurations of the mixing zone of the Wadi Atam and Wadi Utam be carefully established using modern tracing and modeling techniques; (3) TA and training be integrated with other programs, especially with training conducted by the Aqaba construction contractor, and groundwater monitoring be integrated into overall plant process monitoring.