Author(s)

J. Harb & F. Comair

Abstract

The present irrigation system suffers an uneven distribution of water resources. Originally, attention focused on monitoring the quantity of water allocated to irrigation. With the extensive abuse of pesticides, leaking septic systems and the spread of dumps, water quality deteriorated, rendering it unsuitable. Attention needs to be focused not only on water quantity but also on the quality that meets the minimum acceptable standards for irrigation. In order to design a monitoring system for the country, there is a need to start implementing a pilot plant for monitoring water quality and quantity. In this paper, implementation of a pilot plant for monitoring the water of Nahr Ibrahim is proposed, due to its high relevance for electricity production, the ecosystem, irrigation, potable water, tourism and industry. This program is developed in spite of the political turmoil, economic degradations and administrative constraints the country is experiencing, shifting priorities from water management toward more basic urgent issues. Keywords: monitoring, river, water management, quality, irrigation. 1 Introduction Irrigation that consumes most of the water resources is best managed by an integrated water monitoring system. This system needs to be designed on the basis of impact monitoring. Traditionally, the monitoring system only covered the amount of water available. With the current practice of flood irrigation, water availability is a great concern to the water authority. The energy consumption

Keywords

monitoring, river, water management, quality, irrigation.