Assessment of Irrigation Systems and Use of Tertiary vs. Potable Water in ASEZA Landscape

Peter Waller
Associate Professor
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department
The University of Arizona

Abstract
Presently, there are approximately 50,000 trees and shrubs in Aqaba, and the plan is to increase the number of trees and shrubs in a greening program: the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) is planting approximately 100 ha of new landscaping in order to make Aqaba look greener and more attractive to tourists. Present irrigation methods include water truck irrigation of basins around trees and shrubs, hose irrigation from spigots, and small areas of drip and sprinkler irrigation. The plan is to irrigate much of the newly planted areas with reclaimed water. Two possible irrigation systems that are proposed include drip irrigation and bubbler irrigation. Drip irrigation can be classed into two types of systems: drip tubing with inline emitters and conventional drip tubing with inserted emitters. Bubbler irrigation systems have a flow rate approximately 100 times greater than drip irrigation. This study evaluates the economic and environmental cost of the 3 pressurized irrigation systems (bubblers and two types of drip systems) as well as the old truck and hose-spigot systems. Variables in the economic analysis include installation cost, replacement cost, labor, water use efficiency, plant health and replacement cost. In addition, aesthetics and sociological effects of the different irrigation systems are considered.