Detailed CV

Name:                         Omar Zimmo

Address:                      Birzeit University, P.O. Box 14. West Bank

Birth Date:                  21.11.1958

Place of birth: Gaza

Nationality:                 Palestinian

Profession:                  Environmental Engineer

Education:                  Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. Wagningen University and Unesco-IHE Delft. The Netherlands.

MSc. in Water and Environmental Engineering. Tufts University-Boston Massachusetts.

BA in Civil Engineering. Al-Mansoura University in Egypt.

Membership:              Association of Engineers-Jerusalem Center

Key Qualifications: Assistant professor at Birzeit University teaching water treatment and wastewater technology in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Broad experience in planning and designing of projects. Contributing in the preparation of feasibility studies and design of several projects in Palestine.

Experience Record and Community Service:

Advisor for the following studies within the scope of the cooperation program with TU-Delft University in the Netherlands:

·        Water problem in Hebron City

·        Water problem in Marj Sanour

·        Development profile for Jericho city

Preparing the feasibility study for the treatment and disposal of the wastewater for the Municipal area of Ramallah and one of the engineering team for developing the project documents (1993).

Participation in an intensive evaluation and revision of the performance of Save the Children Federation (SCF) in both Gaza and West Bank (1993 and 2003).

Participation in the seminar for planning new water supply well for Jerusalem Water Undertaking (JWU) (1993).

Planning and designing the sewer collection system and treatment plant for Birzeit City-West Bank (1994).

Participation in the seminar for planning of Al-Bireh wastewater scheme (1994).

Participation in the analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of Al-Bireh wastewater and involvement in exchange discussion and consultation with Dr. Rainhard Jordan (Germany) who was in charge of the research on the pilot plant project for wastewater treatment plant for Al-Bireh-West Bank (1994).

Acting project director for the Capacity Building Training program in the sector of water and environment for Palestinian Professionals in Palestine. This two-year project was organized by International Institute for Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) and Birzeit University and funded by the EU (1994).

Planning and designing the infrastructure (water distribution, sewage collection and pumping station) for Al-Horia housing project in Al Tera-Ramallah (1995).

Participating on behalf of Birzeit University in most of the planning workshops, seminars and training workshops as a trainer in Palestine for water and environmental issues.

Senior hydraulic Engineer worked on the hydraulic analysis of the Planning Facilities Master Plans for Hebron, Bethlehem and Jenin water supply and distribution system, Part of the USAID-funded Water Resources Program carried out in association with CDM/Morganti (1997).

Project director and trainer for the training program in the sector of water and wastewater and solid waste planing and management for Palestinian Professionals in Palestine. This three-year project was organized by Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft (CDG), Jerusalem Water Undertaking (JWU) and Birzeit University and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (1996-1998).

Board member and project director for the German Palestinian training program for Palestinian professionals in water and solid waste sector (1998-2001). This training program included the revision and analysis of the need for training measures in the Palestinian water sector in addition to the existing capacity in the public and private sector to provide training courses. Furthermore, a good cooperate with the Palestine Engineer Association, Jerusalem Water Undertaking (JWU) and Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) in order to enhance an involvement of the private sector.

Co-trainer in a training workshop in “Application of reed beds for wastewater treatment” (1998).

Financial analysis and performance evaluation for the local governerates in the West Bank including water, wastewater and solid waste sector (2001). World Bank Report.

Participation in the training program "Development and Implementation of Quality Research Programs: Strategic Considerations", which was held in Jordan from 9-13 July 2003

Participation in the training program "Train the trainers in educational methods and techniques", which was held in Jordan from 14-18 July 2003.

Project director for the EU-MEDA project "Efficient Management of Wastewater, its treatment and reuse in the Mediterranean Countries". This project contains several activities among others is the training component. This component includes determination of training need assessment and training organization and implementation.

Evaluation of water and wastewater projects conducted by Safe the Children (SC) and Funded by the Dutch Government (1 million US$ projects).

Publications:

Zimm O. R., van der Steen, and Gijzen H. (2003). Comparison of ammonia volatilization rates in algae and duckweek based waste stabilisation ponds treating domestic wastewater. Water Research, 37 (19), 4587-4594.

Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J. (2004). Quantification of nitrification and denitrification rates in algae and duckweed based wastewater treatment systems, Journal of Environmental Technology, 25, 273-282.

Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J.  Effect of dissolved oxygen and pH on nitrogen removal in batch incubations simulating algae and duckweed-based waste stabilisation ponds. Submitted to Water Research

Zimmo O. R., Al Sa'ed R. and Gijzen H. J. (2000). Comparison between algae-based and duckweed-based wastewater treatment: differences in environmental conditions and nitrogen transformations. Water Science and Technology. 42: 215-222.

Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J. (2002). General process performance assessment of pilot-scale algae and duckweed-based waste stabilization ponds. Water Science and Technology 45(1):91-101.

Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J. (2003). Factors affecting duckweed growth and nitrogen removal via duckweed in duckweed-based waste stabilisation ponds. AQUA Conference in Colombia. It has been accepted for publication in the Water Science and Technology.

 Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J. (2004). Nitrogen mass balance across pilot-scale algae and duckweed-based wastewater stabilisation ponds. Water Research. 38, 913-920.

Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J. Effect of organic surface load on process performance of pilot scale algae and duckweed-based waste stabilization ponds. Submitted to ASCE Journal of  Environmental Engineering.

Zimmo O. R., van der Steen N. P. and Gijzen H. J. Hydraulic flow patterns in algae and duckweed-based continuous flow pilot-scale waste stabilization ponds. Submitted to Water Research

Zimmo, O. R. (2003). Nitrogen Transformation and Removal Mechanisms in Algal and Duckweed Waste Stabilization Ponds. April 2003, ISBN 90 5809  576 2, 144 pp.

Zimmo, O. R., Al-Sa’ed R.M., van der Steen, N. P., and Gijzen, H. J. (2002). Process performance assessment of algae-based and duckweed-based wastewater treatment systems. Water Science and Technology. 45(1), 91-101.

Al-Sa’ed R.M., and Zimmo, O. R. (2003). Process performance evaluation of the contact stabilization system at Birzeit University campus. Accepted in: Intl. J. Env. Pollution. 21(5), 511-517

Mahmoud N. Zimmo O.R, Zeeman G. Lettinga G. and Gijzen H. (2004). Perspectives for Integrated Sewage Management in Palestine/ the Middle East. Water 21, April 2004.

Supplementary Courses:

Advanced course in “Water, wastewater and solid waste management” in the department of Civil Engineering at Imperial College in London (9 January – 23 March 1989).

International course in “Wastewater treatment and reuse” at Water research center at Jordan University (1991).

Languages:

Language                                  Speaking                                  Reading

Arabic                                      Mother tong

English                          Excellent                                   Excellent

Computer ability: Word processing, spreadsheets and engineering deign software.