NAWQAM - EGYPT National Water Quality and Availability Management
National water quality monitoring component
Biological monitoring of groundwater in egypt

Prepared by: John Lebedin and Twyla Legault

Executive Summary

The National Water Quality and Availability Management (NAWQAM) project was designed to improve the national water resource management policies of Egypt and the integrated management and sustainable use of all water resources. The monitoring comprises water quality of the Nile River, irrigation canals, drains and groundwater aquifers to determine the status of water quality for different water uses and users. The primary focus of NAWQAM was originally on physical and chemical parameters (i.e. water quantity, oxygen budget, nutrients) and microbiological parameters were not included for analysis by the Research Institute for groundwater (RIGW), either through the Environmental Management of Groundwater (EMGR) project or the NAWQAM project.

As the NAWQAM project progressed, Component 1000 produced a baseline water quality report indicating a high level of iron and manganese in some observation wells in the Nile Delta Aquifer and in the Western Desert. Evidence was mounting that showed the pumping rate for some wells was reducing with time due to screen plugging or corrosion and there were reports of discoloured water and “rotten egg” odors (hydrogen sulfide gas). These problems were noted to be characteristically associated with the phenomenon of microbiologically generated biofouling.

Experience in Canada has shown that well and aquifer biofouling can lead to losses in water well production capacity and affect water quality. Accordingly, this mission report is in fulfillment of terms of reference comprising the mission undertaken by two Canadian consultants (PFRA) who were requested to explore this issue in Egypt. These terms included:

1. An examination of the current microbiological monitoring procedures of groundwater supplies and well infrastructure maintenance procedures in Egypt.
2. A site inspection of two well fields to conduct in-situ biological activity reaction tests and conduct field workshops with district staff.
3. The conduct of a one-day workshop to introduce the concepts of groundwater microbiology and the subject of water well biofouling. In addition, this workshop was to be used to present the use of biological activity reaction test (BART) kits as a diagnostic tool. The workshop was also intended to present materials on sustaining water well environments, emphasizing physical monitoring methods, diagnostic test procedures and the maintenance and rehabilitation of water wells.
4. The development of the framework for a monitoring program to assess water well biofouling conditions in Egypt, and
5. The provision of a mission report on activities and findings and to brief the project manager and CIDA representative in Egypt.

The mission began on January 17, 2002 with a site investigation of two representative well fields; the Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert and the Baharia well field in the Nile delta. BART test results showed high levels of microbiological activity in a number of wells at these sites. These results were found to be consistent with reported declines in well yield by field staff and the probability that this was at least in part, due to biofouling.

Water well data is abundant in Egypt, but this data is not used in an analytical way to identify the most likely reason for production losses. It was noted in particular that monitoring for microbiological activity to assess biofouling conditions is not included in any of the monitoring activities.

The material presented by the Canadian consultants at the workshop held on January 22, 2002, began with an overview of the Canadian Sustainable Water Well Initiative (SWWI). There are many similarities between the Canadian experience and the water well problems in Egypt. The workshop participants appeared to agree that an equivalent Egyptian Sustainable Water Well Initiative could be developed from the Canadian experience and could prove valuable in protecting the current water well infrastructure in Egypt.

The following conclusions were reached:

1. There is direct evidence for biofouling conditions from the surveys conducted during the consultant's visit to Egypt. There appears to be a need to establish a program to gather baseline BART data from a broader cross section of Egypt's wells.
2. Presently, no provisions are made in Egypt to incorporate tests for biofouling with respect to water well monitoring procedures or to incorporate preventative maintenance procedures or rehabilitative strategies.
3. Although physical monitoring data is abundant in Egypt, it is not used as fully as it can be to diagnose well problems. It is possible to integrate microbiological diagnostic procedures alongside current procedures, provided that Egyptian personnel are trained to do so.
4. A monitoring program for biofouling conditions should be performed in tandem with a program to monitor for pathogen organisms because biofouled wells present an increased hygiene risk for both detecting pathogens and for proper disinfection.
5. The Canadian Sustainable Water Well Initiative (SWWI) is indicative of the challenges to be faced in Egypt. There can be much value in sharing experiences under SWWI.
6. Preventative maintenance and rehabilitative techniques are presently lacking in Egypt to deal with problems associated with sustaining well productivity and managing biofouling events in wells. Training is required to build capacity in this regard.

The following recommendations are provided:

1. Baseline microbiological data (BARTTM analysis) should be collected in Egypt to establish the extent of biofouling conditions in the Egyptian well infrastructure. Training of Egyptian personnel in the use of BARTTM kits is recommended as an important first step.
2. Pursuant to the previous recommendation, preparations should be made to develop knowledge and working capacity in Egypt for appropriate well maintenance (preventative) and treatment (rehabilitative) techniques to deal with identified biofouling conditions in wells.
3. It is highly recommended that consideration be given to monitoring for pathogenic organisms in wells concurrently with a program to monitor for nuisance bacteria that are responsible for biofouling.
4. Consideration should be given to sharing experience, knowledge, technology and research between Canada and Egypt on sustaining water well infrastructure through appropriate institutional arrangements.
5. A work plan component comprising groundwater microbiological monitoring should be considered in the NAWQAM framework.