7
Water Sources and Quality along the Lower
Jordan River, Regional Study
U. Shavie, R. Holtzman\ M. Segall, A. Vengosh 2 , E. Farbe?, 1. Gavrieli 3 ,
T. Bullen 4 and The ECO- Research Team
I Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology,
Haifa 32000, Israel e-mail: aguri(il2tx.technion.ac.i1. Tel: +972-4-829-3568
Fax: +972-4-822-1529
2 Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Ben Gurion University
at the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
e-mail: avnervCiV,bgumai1.bgu.ac.i1. Tel: +972-8-647-7504. Fax: +972-8-647-2997
3 Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Israel St., Jerusalem, 95501, Israel
e-mail: ittai.gavrieli@mail.gsi.gov.il. Tel: +972-2-531-4201
Fax: +972-2-531-4332
4 Branch of Regional Research, Water Resources Division, US Geological Survey,
MS 420, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
e-mail: tdbullenCtv.usgs.gov. Tel: + 1-650-329-4577. Fax: + 1-650-329-4538
Abstract
The Lower Jordan River received in the past a large volume of freshwater from
Lake Tiberias, the Yarmouk River, and local runoffs. Currently, a much smaller
flow-rate of mostly poor-quality fluids enters the river. The severe reduction of
inflow and the poor-quality flows have led directly to the degradation of the water
quality along the river. According to the regional peace agreements, both sewage
and saline waters will be treated and used. Carrying out these agreements will
result in a dramatic reduction of input flow-rates into the river. Under these
circumstances, the almost sole available source will be drainage and groundwater.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the different components that presently
control the quality of water in the Lower Jordan River. In particular, the study is
looking for ways to assess the role played by the subsurface contributions. We
present here preliminary results of an ongoing research, which involves
researchers from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. By means of water
sampling, chemical analysis, isotope analysis, flow-rate measurements, and mass
balance calculations, the study improves our understanding of the hydrology and
hydrochemistry of the river system.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002
Water Sources and Quality along the Lower
Jordan River, Regional Study
U. Shavie, R. Holtzman\ M. Segall, A. Vengosh 2 , E. Farbe?, 1. Gavrieli 3 ,
T. Bullen 4 and The ECO- Research Team
I Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology,
Haifa 32000, Israel e-mail: aguri(il2tx.technion.ac.i1. Tel: +972-4-829-3568
Fax: +972-4-822-1529
2 Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Ben Gurion University
at the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
e-mail: avnervCiV,bgumai1.bgu.ac.i1. Tel: +972-8-647-7504. Fax: +972-8-647-2997
3 Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Israel St., Jerusalem, 95501, Israel
e-mail: ittai.gavrieli@mail.gsi.gov.il. Tel: +972-2-531-4201
Fax: +972-2-531-4332
4 Branch of Regional Research, Water Resources Division, US Geological Survey,
MS 420, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
e-mail: tdbullenCtv.usgs.gov. Tel: + 1-650-329-4577. Fax: + 1-650-329-4538
Abstract
The Lower Jordan River received in the past a large volume of freshwater from
Lake Tiberias, the Yarmouk River, and local runoffs. Currently, a much smaller
flow-rate of mostly poor-quality fluids enters the river. The severe reduction of
inflow and the poor-quality flows have led directly to the degradation of the water
quality along the river. According to the regional peace agreements, both sewage
and saline waters will be treated and used. Carrying out these agreements will
result in a dramatic reduction of input flow-rates into the river. Under these
circumstances, the almost sole available source will be drainage and groundwater.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the different components that presently
control the quality of water in the Lower Jordan River. In particular, the study is
looking for ways to assess the role played by the subsurface contributions. We
present here preliminary results of an ongoing research, which involves
researchers from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. By means of water
sampling, chemical analysis, isotope analysis, flow-rate measurements, and mass
balance calculations, the study improves our understanding of the hydrology and
hydrochemistry of the river system.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002