Water-energy-carbon cost of compensating atmospheric water losses from open irrigation ponds in arid regions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Open irrigation ponds are commonly used for agricultural water storage but lose significant water amounts to evaporation. The energy and environmental implications of these losses in water-scarce regions, where conservation is a priority, can reveal important insights. The study objectives were to examine water, energy, and environmental impacts of evaporation losses in the Jordanian Badia to identify insights for sustainable agricultural practices.METHODS: Field surveys were conducted at 20 farm sites in the northern Jordanian Badia to assess pond usage and water management practices. The study utilized novel methods including open-access meteorological data and sensor-based validation to record dynamic changes during the irrigation season. The study also explored the environmental implications by using the carbon equivalent factor with water and energy consumption information, which has not been addressed before in the region.FINDINGS: Drip irrigation was the most common choice in the study area due to water scarcity, followed by soilless systems and sprinkler irrigation. On-farm storage systems were widely used (70 percent) in the region due water supply issues, but only 20 percent of farmers used closed tank systems. Evaporation reached over 220 millimeters per month during the summer, with annual water losses exceeding 4500 cubic meters per pond. These losses required an estimated 1635 kilowatt hours of energy per 1000 cubic meters of water pumped. Annual energy consumption per pond reached approximately 2000 kilowatt hours, resulting in up to 1200 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. This accounted for almost 1 million cubic meters in water losses, 100,000 dollars in costs, and over 200 tons of equivalent carbon emissions to replace evaporation losses every year.CONCLUSION: Evaporation losses from irrigation ponds significantly reduce water use efficiency and increase energy and environmental costs. This was despite the various water conservation techniques in the region. These losses can be slightly reduced through low-cost measures such as reducing pond water levels. They can also be significantly reduced by applying more robust methods like floating solar panels, but at a large investment. Implementing such practices supports sustainable agriculture and aligns with national water conservation priorities, but requires sound policy interventions.