Influence of Population Growth on Supply, Demand, and Quality Issues of Water Resources in the Yarmouk River Basin in Jordan

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of population growth on supply, demand, and quality issues of water resources in the Yarmouk River Basin in Jordan for twenty years. The population growth data for the years 1997 and 2017 was derived from four Jordan governorates, i.e., Mafraq, Irbid, Jerash, and Ajloun, as well as for the population of the Yarmouk Basin was calculated, where a part of the population of these governorates resides within Basin. The water supply and the number of wells were also determined during this study. Various physicochemical parameters of water, like pH, EC, TDS, DO, NO2, and NO3, were also evaluated. Water supply, demand, and quality issues were also identified in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The study showed an increase in the Kingdom's population in four governorates from about 1.27 to 2.88 million inhabitants, while the population of four governorates in the Yarmouk Basin increased from about 639,992 to 1.53 million inhabitants, and it is more than doubling. Comparing the population with the water supply, the numbers of wells and their uses showed significant changes, as evidenced by the substantial increase in the water supply. The studied physiochemical parameters were within the permissible limits of the National Standards. The critical water issues reported in the study area are difficulties in law enforcement and rapid population growth, which interactively affect the water supply. The study's findings will assist decision-makers in managing future water supplies as they face challenges in securing additional water, and there is an urgent need for research and future scenarios to meet water needs.

Calculation and Management of Water Supply and Demand under Land Use/Cover Changes in the Yarmouk River Basin Governorates in Jordan

“…The relationship between water resources management and land use/cover is highly relevant, inextricably entwined, and the need to protect the quantity and quality of water resources can influence potential land uses and land management practices [7,8]. Although this relationship is complex with respect to surface basins and groundwater recharge due to diversity with topography, as well as hydrogeological characteristics [9], water-makers, from governments to nonprofits to corporations, often manage water resources and land use for multiple uses [10,11]. They are challenged to secure additional water for increasing human activity [10].…”

“…Although this relationship is complex with respect to surface basins and groundwater recharge due to diversity with topography, as well as hydrogeological characteristics [9], water-makers, from governments to nonprofits to corporations, often manage water resources and land use for multiple uses [10,11]. They are challenged to secure additional water for increasing human activity [10]. For example, in the south and east of the United Kingdom, land uses that increase evapotranspiration or rapid runoff should be discouraged, and efforts should be pursued to maintain good water quality in rivers and groundwater in order to maintain usable water resources [12].…”

“…In Jordan, renewable water resources are limited and insufficient to meet the domestic needs of water of the Kingdom's population [10], as groundwater is a major source for domestic uses [24]. The per capita water per year has decreased from 500 m 3 to 140 m 3 and to less than 100 m 3 in the years 1975, 2010 and 2016, respectively [25], and it is expected to decrease by about 90 m 3 , which could put Jordan in a situation of water scarcity [26], not to mention the rapid increase in population which mainly caused changes in land use that have a significant impact on the land's surface and hydrological processes, represented by groundwater recharge, infiltration and flow of rivers [20].…”

“…The Yarmouk Basin needs a broad vision on the use of water resources to preserve the common interests of the inter-sectoral towards the fair use of transboundary waters [33]. Consequently, the problems attributed to the Yarmouk River Basin can be summarized as [10,27,34] Recently, there have been serious changes in the use of basin water resources, and more attention has been placed on land use/cover changes especially in urban areas because these areas are strongly influenced by human activities and water resources use. Agricultural areas and urbanization were the main land uses that underwent expansion [27].…”

“…The Yarmouk Basin needs a broad vision on the use of water resources to preserve the common interests of the inter-sectoral towards the fair use of transboundary waters [33]. Consequently, the problems attributed to the Yarmouk River Basin can be summarized as [10,27,34]: (a) Uncontrolled urban growth and erroneous use of land have reduced aquifer recharge, (b) urbanization has affected the flood pattern, (c) population growth has led to more uses of internal wells in the basin than water availability, (d) excessive pumping of groundwater has affected the quantities of groundwater, (e) declined base-flow and reduced groundwater recharge due to upstream withdrawal, and (f) water supply losses are a major problem in the basin.…”