268
of the terms of reference for the different studies. There are sound reservations concerning realisation costs and lifetime of such a project: the generation of energy via
salt water, or even brine will be achievable only with considerable technical effort
in the use of corrosion-resistant materials. Maintenance and lifetime expectations
will be not comparable to normal hydropower plants. It is estimated that the costs of
the pipeline according to the plans of the water swap will be approx. USD 300 to
USD 400 million (Udasin 2013 ). The construction of the pipeline will take 3–4
years and will cross the Jordanian part of the Arava Valley. The conveyance of the
brine from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea would therefore raise the price of water by
at least USD 0.25/m
3 (on the basis of an amortisation period of the pipeline of 30
years). With respect to the polluter pays principle, a levy for the potash companies
should at least be equivalent to the additional costs for water for conveying brine to
the Dead Sea to compensate for uses upstream and from the Dead Sea Works themselves. For comparison, the costs of water for the restoration of the Lower Jordan
River are about USD 0.10/m
3 (Allan et al. 2012 , p. 30).
16.7 Awareness-Raising Measures
In 2008 the Israel government and the Israel Water Authority started a comprehensive
campaign to inform and raise awareness on reducing domestic water consumption.
The installation of water-saving devices in private households and gardens and metering for the irrigation in private and public gardens were fi nancially supported.
Another important measure to raise awareness is the online publication of water
use data and of data on the groundwater levels in the different basins. The levels of
Lake Tiberias are reported on a monthly basis and can be viewed on an online
graph. Its level is an important communication instrument as droughts and water
shortages can be visualised directly with the passing of the critical lake level red
line. Also the level of the Dead Sea is published on a monthly basis, making extreme
water stress in the region visible.
Furthermore, water prices are published on the Israel Water Authority website.
All water data is publicly available and presented in a transparent manner.
16.8 Discussion of Water Management Impacts
Israel is a striking example of how long it may take (nearly 20 years) to effectively
accomplish a shift in water management practices – even though the development
in water stress in the region requires an even faster pace of change. Israel is likewise
an example that land and water management are deeply rooted in the nation’s values, which make it psychologically diffi cult to introduce changes, as one has to give
up long-standing traditions and values. With regard to agriculture, Israel is far from
C. Bismuth et al.
of the terms of reference for the different studies. There are sound reservations concerning realisation costs and lifetime of such a project: the generation of energy via
salt water, or even brine will be achievable only with considerable technical effort
in the use of corrosion-resistant materials. Maintenance and lifetime expectations
will be not comparable to normal hydropower plants. It is estimated that the costs of
the pipeline according to the plans of the water swap will be approx. USD 300 to
USD 400 million (Udasin 2013 ). The construction of the pipeline will take 3–4
years and will cross the Jordanian part of the Arava Valley. The conveyance of the
brine from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea would therefore raise the price of water by
at least USD 0.25/m
3 (on the basis of an amortisation period of the pipeline of 30
years). With respect to the polluter pays principle, a levy for the potash companies
should at least be equivalent to the additional costs for water for conveying brine to
the Dead Sea to compensate for uses upstream and from the Dead Sea Works themselves. For comparison, the costs of water for the restoration of the Lower Jordan
River are about USD 0.10/m
3 (Allan et al. 2012 , p. 30).
16.7 Awareness-Raising Measures
In 2008 the Israel government and the Israel Water Authority started a comprehensive
campaign to inform and raise awareness on reducing domestic water consumption.
The installation of water-saving devices in private households and gardens and metering for the irrigation in private and public gardens were fi nancially supported.
Another important measure to raise awareness is the online publication of water
use data and of data on the groundwater levels in the different basins. The levels of
Lake Tiberias are reported on a monthly basis and can be viewed on an online
graph. Its level is an important communication instrument as droughts and water
shortages can be visualised directly with the passing of the critical lake level red
line. Also the level of the Dead Sea is published on a monthly basis, making extreme
water stress in the region visible.
Furthermore, water prices are published on the Israel Water Authority website.
All water data is publicly available and presented in a transparent manner.
16.8 Discussion of Water Management Impacts
Israel is a striking example of how long it may take (nearly 20 years) to effectively
accomplish a shift in water management practices – even though the development
in water stress in the region requires an even faster pace of change. Israel is likewise
an example that land and water management are deeply rooted in the nation’s values, which make it psychologically diffi cult to introduce changes, as one has to give
up long-standing traditions and values. With regard to agriculture, Israel is far from
C. Bismuth et al.