The Barada River and the ground waters of Damascus Gouta are
considered as a source for irrigation and for increasing the fertility of
the soil since the very old times. But, the concentrate on the rabid
agricultural and industrial development led
to the aggravation of the
water shortage problem and its contamination by pesticides, chemical
pollutants and pathogens microbes. Therefore, this led to the exposition
of the plantations, livestock and human health risks.
This study aims to the estimation of the remaining effect of the
pesticides and the definition of the concentration of some hazardous
heavy metals as well as the study of numerical changes of the
pathological bacteria and parasites in the waters of the Barada River
tributaries and the ground waters in the Damascus Gouta under
different climatic conditions around the year.
This study also defines the potential health hazards related to such a
contamination as well as putting forward some necessary proposals and
recommendations for protecting the public health and environmental
safety in Damascus and its countryside.
