Integrated Wastewater Management Policies & Technologies For Marginal Communities In Jordan

Data Collection Using Socio-Economic Survey In order to evaluate social, economical and environmental aspects at the research project site (Abu Al-Farth Community) and to assess community views on the degree of their involvement in different stages of the project, and the benefits perceived from the public awareness campaigns, the project team contracted the Industrial Studies Division ISD at RSS to carry out the survey and to collect relevant data. The ISD research team prepared the necessary questionnaire which was reviewed, modified and approved by the project team at ERC . The ISD research team met the data collection team prior to commencement of the field work for orientation purposes and to discuss different aspects of the process. Data collection was conducted during June/2005. The activity was designed to be conducted in three main phases. The first was a preparatory phase which involved mapping, design and implementation of the sampling procedures, and preparation of the questionnaire. As for sample design, it was taken into consideration that most of the households in Abu Al-Farth shall be included in the survey (about 130 households). Phase two encompassed field work and data collection. It is worth mentioning here that a similar survey will be carried out at later stages after conducting the field-pilot experiments (treratment and reuse of greywater) in order to assess social acceptance of the system to be adopted and the potential reuse of reclaimed water for irrigation. Major Findings Demographic Data: Abu Al-Farth village is located in the Northeastern Badia of Jordan, about (60km) northeast to Al-Mafraq Governorate. The total population of Abu Al- Farth is about (1000 inhabitant). Educational Services: Two secondary schools are found in Abu Al-Farth village; one is for male students and the other is for female students. The number of school students in Abu Al-Farth is estimated at 420 which represents more than 40% of the community. About 85% of those are enrolled in basic education (up to Grade 10), whereas 15% only are enrolled in secondary education. Health-care Services: No health-care services are available in Abu Al-Farth village except for one dental clinic. Social Characteristics: People at Abu Al-Farth are non nomadic Bedouins who mostly work in the Jordanian Armed Forces or in the governmental sector. About (52 %) of Abu Al-Farth population are male. (40%) of the people are less than 20 years old. The survey reveals that the unemployment rate is about (38%). It should be pointed out that (86.8%) of the employees are working in the Jordanian Armed Forces or in the governmental sector, whereas (13.1%) are working in the private sector or are retired. However, the average monthly income is about (120 JD). Economic Resources: Based on the socio-economic survey, land acquisition and livestock’s raising are the main economic wealths in Abu Al-Farth. About (69 %) of the people own lands, and (32 %) of the land owners are utilizing their lands for agricultural purposes. Water scarcity in the area is the major obstacle against the utilization of lands for agriculture. However, the reuse of greywater can play an important role in developing the houshold agriculture in the Abu Al-Farth. About (32 %) of the people in Abu Al-Farth raise livestock. However, the lack of pastures and the high cost of fodder are the major problems that are facing the livestock raisers in the study area. Greywater Treatment and Reuse: The study revealed that there is high acceptance for the reuse of greywater for agricultural purposes, although only (36 %) of the community currently separate greywater from blackwater. About (60 %) of the community show their acceptance to greywater reuse, whilst the rest have their reasons for not accepting the idea of reuse. The high acceptance for the greywater reuse in Abu Al-Farth is also observed through the current practices of random reuse of greywater in irrigation.

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