2. Introduction
Importance of Groundwater
Sources of Groundwater Contamination
Prevention from Groundwater Pollution
Participation of Industries and Community
Groundwater Remediation
Conventional and Innovative Remediation Techniques
Typical Groundwater Contaminants
Practical Remediation Technologies
Royal Commission Environmental Regulations for
Groundwater Prevention
Conclusion

3. Groundwater is water present below the ground surface that
saturates the pore space in the subsurface.
At least 50% of the world population depends on groundwater as a
source of drinking water.
Other uses of groundwater includes Irrigation of crops, Industrial
uses etc.
Groundwater is a part of natural water cycle therefore, it can spread
throughout the cycle and if contaminated, can cause damage to
other entities ( Sea life, lakes, human health etc)
Groundwater can be polluted / contaminated as a result of HUMAN
activity and Natural conditions.
Contaminations found in the groundwater cover a broad range of
physical, chemical (Organic & Inorganic), bacteriological and
radioactive parameters.

4. Leaking Fuel and Chemical Tanks
Improper use of
contaminated water
Industrial Chemical spills
Industrial Emissions
Extensive use of Pesticides, Badly Managed Landfill
Herbicides and fertilizers
Drainage of house hold chemicals

5. Once Groundwater gets contaminated, it may be difficult and expensive
to clean it up, therefore,
“Thebest way to deal with
groundwater contamination is not to
contaminate it in the first place ”

6. Participation of Industries:
•Minimize use of Toxic / Hazardous Raw Materials
•Maintain Integrity of the Storage Tanks, Pipelines, surface impoundments
•Adopt Good Engineering Practices for selecting proper material for tanks
and pipes.
•Implement monitoring programs: Leak Detection and repair program, spill
detection, spill control, emergency response plan etc.
•Manage Properly: Waste materials, their transport and disposal.
•Install Monitoring Wells
•Monitor Periodically: Groundwater quality

7. Participation of Community:
•Minimize use of house hold chemicals containing Hazardous substances.
•Avoid draining chemicals, motor oil, insecticides in community areas.
•Reduce pesticide application
•Use proper procedures for handling chemicals (Paints, Pesticides,
Insecticides, polishing materials, cleaning chemicals and detergents).
•Immediately clean any spills and report any leakages to concerned
department.

8. Groundwater remediation is the process that is used to remove pollution from
groundwater.
Pollutants and contaminants can be removed from groundwater by applying various
techniques thereby making the groundwater safe for use.
Groundwater remediation techniques are mainly divided into two technologies: Ex-
Situ Technology and In-Situ Technology
Ex-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater by de-
watering the polluted aquifer (pumping out), then treating the water on
surface by Physical, chemical or biological technology and finally re-
injecting the treated water to the aquifer.
In-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater within
the aquifer (in the sub-surface) by using thermal, chemical and
biological treatment technology.

9. Ex-Situ Technology:
Extraction of groundwater from aquifer , treat above ground. and return the treated
water to the aquifer. Extraction is done by pumping groundwater from the well or
trench and treat them with a variety of techniques such as :
Stream stripping
Involves treatment by introducing steam which extract the contaminants from the
pumped out groundwater. The extracted steam (along with contaminants can be
recovered from the condensate or treated further by incineration.
Oxygen Sparging
Involves introduction of oxidizing/reducing agents ( O3, H2O2, Hypochlorite) to
chemically convert the toxic contaminants to less toxic compounds.
Bioremediation
Involves treatment of pumped up groundwater by air (biodegradation) with careful
control of moisture, heat nutrients, oxygen and pH.
Carbon Adsorption
Involves passing the contaminated pumped up groundwater through activated
carbon column in which contaminants gets adsorbed.

10. Ex-Situ Technology

11. In-Situ Remediation Technology:
Involves treatment of groundwater (in-place) without extracting the water from aquifer. There are
several treatment techniques used for in-situ groundwater treatment such as:
Air Sparging:
Involves the injection of contaminant-free air into the subsurface saturated zone, enabling a phase
transfer of hydrocarbons from a dissolved state to a vapor phase.
Bioremediation:
Involves injection of oxygen to enhance the biodegradation. This treatment also combines injection of
degrading bacteria and nutrients into aquifer to stimulate biodegradation.
In-well air stripping:
Involves injection of air in double screened well, lifting the water up the well and force it out in upper
screen. VOCs in the contaminated water are transferred from dissolved phase to vapor phase in air
bubbles and drawn off and treated.
Chemical Oxidation:
Involves Reduction-Oxidation reactions that chemically converts hazardous contaminants to less toxic
compounds. Cyanide oxidation and de-chlorination are the typical examples of chemical oxidation.
Thermal Treatment:
Involves increase in temperature of the source zone to increase the mobility of the pollutants. The
mobility facilitate removal of pollutants and can also results in In-Situ destruction of contaminants.
Phythoremediation
It involves the use of macroscopic plants to destroy, remove, immobilize and treat contaminants.
This process does not use microorganisms.

12. In-Situ Bioremediation

13. The selection of the remedial technology depends upon several
parameters such as:
Contaminant Profile:
Types of compounds ( DNAPL, LNAPL, Ammonia, Virus, Bacteria)
Quantity and Solubility ( Solubility in Water)
Toxicity and volatility ( VOCs , SVOCs, Metals, etc)
Biodegradability
Aquifer Profile:
Soil Type (permeability, homogeneity, chemistry, confined or open, etc)
Groundwater Flow direction
Water Table location
Recharge location ( seasonal Rainfall)
Feasibility Profile:
Cost of technology
Time of completion

14. Several man made chemicals are referred to as Groundwater
contaminants because of their extensive use, accidental spills and
leaks, mismanagement and illegal dumping. Some of the popular
contaminants are the following:
DNAPL (Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids )
LNAPL (Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids)
Inorganic Chemicals ( Ammonia, Cyanide, Fluoride)
Metals
Bacteria and Viruses

15. DNAPL :
Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids are organic compounds heavier than
water and having less absolute solubility. These compounds include
chlorinated solvents (EDC) and halogenated aromatics (TCB)
DNAPLs migrate very fast through the soil formation and reach water
table because of their high density and low viscosity. They sink steeply to
the bottom of the aquifer till they reach the impermeable bed rock.
Treatment of DNAPL
The following types of technologies are increasingly being used to treat DNAPLs:
 In situ thermal treatment
 In situ chemical oxidation
 Surfactant/co-solvent flushing
 In situ bioremediation
Ground water extraction (P&T or recirculation)
 Excavation
Containment (Engineered caps and slurry walls).

17. LNAPL
Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids are organic compounds lighter than
water and having low solubility. These liquids include Gasoline, fuel oil
and other petroleum products.
LNAPL Remediation:
Remediation may require the use of more than one technology.
It is likely that several remediation techniques, used in series and/or
parallel applications, will be required for maximum contaminant removal.
This collaborative effort may be referred to as a treatment train approach.
A conceptual example of a treatment train which might be effective at an
LNAPL site includes:
Pump and Treat for mobile LNAPL removal followed by vapor
extraction for removal of residual LNAPL .
Additional technologies such as bioremediation might be used to further
reduce contaminant concentrations.

19. Contaminant Main Source Treatment Technology
Degreasing of Metal and Electronic parts, •Pump and Treat
Trichloroethylene Extract for oil and waxes, fumigant, carries in •Activated Carbon
(TCE) paints and adhesives •Thermal and Biological
MTBE can be released to groundwater by •Air Sparging
leaking underground storage tanks and •In-Situ oxidation ( H2O2 and Fe)
MTBE piping, atmospheric deposition, spills during •Bioremediation/Bioaugmentation
transportation, and leaks at refineries •Pump and Treat.
From EDC and VCM Plants, storage tanks, •In-situ Bioremediation.
EDC (DNAPL) pipelines etc.
Gasoline and other petroleum fuels tanks, •In-situ Bioremediation
Gasoline (LNAPL) petrol stations, storage tanks and pipelines. •Vapor extraction
Ammonia Storage Tanks, Landfill leaks, •Pump and Treat
Ammonia Waste stockpile, etc. •Combination of Air Stripping,
Nitrification, Ion Exchange.

20. Groundwater contaminated by Ethylene Dichloride and Chloroform can be
treated through in-situ bio remediation by using certain types of Enzymes
under proper conversion parameters.
This In-Situ process is applicable to both fresh and brackish waters.
50 to 80 percent biodegradation can be achieved by injecting Enzymes in
the aquifer within 5 to 10weeks.
Applicability:
EDC (1.3 g/cc), Chloroform (1.5 g/cc) , Chlorobenzene, Vinyl Chloride,
VOCs.
Limitations:
Permeability of the ground
Aquifer Matrix
Practical Execution
This In-Situ Bio remediation is practically implemented by two industrial
facilities in Jubail to reduce EDC and other chlorinated compounds from the
groundwater.

21. Treatment of MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether )
MTBE is broadly used as Gasoline additive
and is one of the popular contaminant of
the groundwater.
The solubility in water is as high as 4.3%
comparing to Solubility of benzene and
toluene 0.18% and 0.05% respectively.
MTBE is very mobile and can spread to
very large subsurface area very quickly.
Groundwater contaminated with MTBE can be treated by :
In-Situ Oxidation
Bioremediation (Enhanced by Oxygen and Nutrients injection)
Pump and Treat by Air Stripping & Activated Carbon Adsorption
Combination of Catalytic Chemical Oxidation with UV Presence.

22. Ammonia is one of the major pollutants which contaminates groundwater.
Ammonia contamination could lead to Sea Water Pollution. Being Toxic to
Aquatic Organism, Remediation of Ammonia is very important.
US Department of Energy has successfully conducted pilot studies on the
Innovative Remedial Techniques on an Aquifer near Moab, Utah, USA. Which
shows that technologies are available for treating groundwater contaminated
with high levels of Ammonia to a safe level of 3 mg/L
These technologies includes:
Pump and Treat by Ammonia Stripping
Pump and Treat by Air Stripping and further Nitrification
Pump and Treat by Ion Exchange
Limitation: Needs pH Adjustments,

23. Royal Commission has always been concerned about Public Health and
Environment including Surface and Subsurface groundwater.
At Royal Commission Environmental Control Department(RC-EPCD), we believe in
Prevention from groundwater contamination as the very first rule of remediation.
Therefore, Royal Commission Environmental Regulation (RCER) has made it
obligatory for all industries to stringently follow RCER Groundwater Regulation
such as:
At least 3 Groundwater Monitoring Wells in each industrial facility.
Periodical Monitoring Groundwater Quality.
Periodical Reports to RC.
Mandatory use of Impervious Liner (1.5 mm thick HDPE liners) for :
Tank foundations, Secondary Containments(Dikes) and Storm Water Pond
Storage Tank Regulations:
Spill Control Devices , Leak Detection and Overfill System
Containments and Double Walls, Material of Construction

24. Implementation of Leak Detection and Repair System to
ensure the integrity of the pipelines and components.
Separate Location for Landfills:
Inert Waste Non Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Industrial Wastes Sanitary Wastes.
Landfill Design
Double Liners Groundwater Monitoring wells Near Landfill
Leachate Collection System
Monitoring Groundwater Quality from 60 Monitoring Wells outside
industrial facilities in Jubail Industrial City.
Reviewing Groundwater Quality Reports submitted by Individual
Industries from over 500 Wells in the Jubail Industrial City.
Checking Quality of Groundwater used for Re-mineralization of
drinking water which is supplied in Royal Commission Area.

25. 1. Prevention from groundwater contamination is the
best Remedial Option.
2. Mostly, groundwater contaminants are of industrial origin.
3. Royal Commission is closely monitoring the quality of
Groundwater through out the Jubail Industrial City and also have
implemented strict regulation for the prevention of
groundwater pollution.
4. Environmental Awareness Programs Including
groundwater prevention should be Implemented for Community.
5. Innovative Technologies are available for the groundwater
remediation, for several common contaminants including EDC
and Other Chlorinated Compounds, MTBE and Ammonia.

26. Prevention Pays - Remedy Costs
and
The Prevention is in Our Hands