Integrated assessment of the control of wastewater pollution in Zarqa Governate, Jordan

Zarqa, the second largest city in Jordan and home of 52% of the industries in the country, suffers the worst water shortage and pollution. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the potential problems associated with the pollution by industrial and municipal wastewater in Zarqa region and the possibilities for its control. The paper examines the major causes of pollution, the qualities and the quantities of pollutants, and the major obstacles facing the existing practices in the Kherbit As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant. The physical, chemical, biological and hydraulic overloading of As-Samra cause the station to be inefficient. Development of alternative solutions, taking into consideration all technical, financial, social, geographical and political constraints, is a challenge for the decision-makers in the water industry. The analysis and findings of this paper will lay the ground and assist decision-makers in setting up programmes to control wastewater pollution in the region.