246
H. Kupfersberger
future water plans, GIS data integration and data management (Orthofer and Loibl
2001), and a water and environmental risk modeling module. The results will be
synthesized into optimized water-management options considering likely
economical, demographic, and political developments in the region. Within this
chapter, aspects of regional water plans (including the availability of
hydrogeologically relevant data) and sustainability issues of future water
management plans will be presented.
The project area basically covers the arid floor of the Jordan River Valley
between the Dead Sea in the south and the confluence of the Yarmouk River in the
north. In order to assess the availability of water resources, the hills westward
until the water divide between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River Valley
are also included. The subsurface water resources of the Western Jordan Valley
include parts of the so-called Eastern Mountain Aquifer (EMA) in the south and
parts of the Northeastern Aquifer in the north, of which only the former is shared
by Israel and Palestine.
All three riparian countries have an interest in the Lower Jordan Valley
because of it's agricultural productivity. Its fertile soils allow production during
periods where crops do not grow in other areas. However, besides agriculture, the
interests differ fundamentally. In addition to tourism-related significance, Israel
considers the Lower Jordan Valley as a vital security zone against possible threats.
Moreover, the Lower Jordan Valley represents a critical transportation link
between the south and north. The Palestinian position is that their country is being
occupied. The United Nations have acknowledged this and regards Palestine as a
sovereign country. Furthermore, Palestine claims its water rights on the Jordan
River, which are being withheld. The Lower Jordan Valley is an area that could
possibly host Palestinian refugees for resettlement. It is also regarded as the best
place for industrial development and for various tourism segments.
2 Current and Future Water Supply and Demand
2.1 General Situation
The current and future (until 2020) national water plans indicate that agriculture is
and will be the by far dominating water-consuming sector in the Lower Jordan
Valley. Due to anticipated popUlation dynamics, municipal demand is predicted to
increase rapidly, whereas industry and tourism will not become noticeable waterusing sectors. The provided data on water supply reveal that the expected water
demand cannot be met by local water resources, leading to already existing water
shortages in certain areas (e.g., Jericho). However, the volume of additional water
gained through the recycling of wastewater will not be able to narrow the
widening gap between supply and demand. Thus, increased future water demand
can only be matched by water imports into the Lower Jordan Valley. Following
H. Kupfersberger
future water plans, GIS data integration and data management (Orthofer and Loibl
2001), and a water and environmental risk modeling module. The results will be
synthesized into optimized water-management options considering likely
economical, demographic, and political developments in the region. Within this
chapter, aspects of regional water plans (including the availability of
hydrogeologically relevant data) and sustainability issues of future water
management plans will be presented.
The project area basically covers the arid floor of the Jordan River Valley
between the Dead Sea in the south and the confluence of the Yarmouk River in the
north. In order to assess the availability of water resources, the hills westward
until the water divide between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River Valley
are also included. The subsurface water resources of the Western Jordan Valley
include parts of the so-called Eastern Mountain Aquifer (EMA) in the south and
parts of the Northeastern Aquifer in the north, of which only the former is shared
by Israel and Palestine.
All three riparian countries have an interest in the Lower Jordan Valley
because of it's agricultural productivity. Its fertile soils allow production during
periods where crops do not grow in other areas. However, besides agriculture, the
interests differ fundamentally. In addition to tourism-related significance, Israel
considers the Lower Jordan Valley as a vital security zone against possible threats.
Moreover, the Lower Jordan Valley represents a critical transportation link
between the south and north. The Palestinian position is that their country is being
occupied. The United Nations have acknowledged this and regards Palestine as a
sovereign country. Furthermore, Palestine claims its water rights on the Jordan
River, which are being withheld. The Lower Jordan Valley is an area that could
possibly host Palestinian refugees for resettlement. It is also regarded as the best
place for industrial development and for various tourism segments.
2 Current and Future Water Supply and Demand
2.1 General Situation
The current and future (until 2020) national water plans indicate that agriculture is
and will be the by far dominating water-consuming sector in the Lower Jordan
Valley. Due to anticipated popUlation dynamics, municipal demand is predicted to
increase rapidly, whereas industry and tourism will not become noticeable waterusing sectors. The provided data on water supply reveal that the expected water
demand cannot be met by local water resources, leading to already existing water
shortages in certain areas (e.g., Jericho). However, the volume of additional water
gained through the recycling of wastewater will not be able to narrow the
widening gap between supply and demand. Thus, increased future water demand
can only be matched by water imports into the Lower Jordan Valley. Following