254
H. Kupfersberger
6 Conclusions
National water plans indicate that agricultural water consumption is expected to
dramatically increase over the next 20 years in the Lower Jordan Valley. Against
the background of declining and deteriorating water resources and projected
demographic developments, it becomes clear that any future scenarios for water
demand in the Lower Jordan Valley cannot be based on current water
consumption practices. Thus, a stepwise approach is presented considering social,
economic, and environmental sustainability issues. The basic conjecture is that
there will be no more freshwater for agriculture unless domestic and industrial
needs are satisfied. It is argued that, after satisfying basic domestic water needs
more emphasis should be put on water as an economic commodity maintaining
environmental standards.
Acknowledgments The author appreciates the enlightening collaboration with the
Hebrew University (Jerusalem), the Applied Research Institute (Bethlehem), the
Enviroconsult (Amman), and the Austrian Research Center Seibersdorf.
References
Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ) (1998) Water resources and irrigated
agriculture in the West Bank. ISBN 131711997, Bethlehem
Beaumont P (2000) The quest for water efficiency - restructuring of water use in the
Middle East. Water, Air Soil PoIlut 123(114):551-564.
CDM (1997) Water sector strategic planning study. Draft final report, Cambridge, MA
Developing sustainable water management in the Jordan VaIley (200 I)
http://systernforschung.arcs.ac.atljowapubl/
Gutman J, Zukerman Ch (1995) A model of the flow in the Eastern Basin of the Mountains
of Judea and Samaria from the Far'ah Stream to the Judean Desert. Water Division -
The Hydrology Department. Water Planing for Israel Inc, Tel Aviv
Orthofer R, Loibl W (2001) GIS-based assessment of water pollution risks in the Jordan
Valley. Pro 4th Int Austrian-Israeli Technion Symp on Preserving the Quality of our
Water Resources, Vienna 2001
H. Kupfersberger
6 Conclusions
National water plans indicate that agricultural water consumption is expected to
dramatically increase over the next 20 years in the Lower Jordan Valley. Against
the background of declining and deteriorating water resources and projected
demographic developments, it becomes clear that any future scenarios for water
demand in the Lower Jordan Valley cannot be based on current water
consumption practices. Thus, a stepwise approach is presented considering social,
economic, and environmental sustainability issues. The basic conjecture is that
there will be no more freshwater for agriculture unless domestic and industrial
needs are satisfied. It is argued that, after satisfying basic domestic water needs
more emphasis should be put on water as an economic commodity maintaining
environmental standards.
Acknowledgments The author appreciates the enlightening collaboration with the
Hebrew University (Jerusalem), the Applied Research Institute (Bethlehem), the
Enviroconsult (Amman), and the Austrian Research Center Seibersdorf.
References
Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ) (1998) Water resources and irrigated
agriculture in the West Bank. ISBN 131711997, Bethlehem
Beaumont P (2000) The quest for water efficiency - restructuring of water use in the
Middle East. Water, Air Soil PoIlut 123(114):551-564.
CDM (1997) Water sector strategic planning study. Draft final report, Cambridge, MA
Developing sustainable water management in the Jordan VaIley (200 I)
http://systernforschung.arcs.ac.atljowapubl/
Gutman J, Zukerman Ch (1995) A model of the flow in the Eastern Basin of the Mountains
of Judea and Samaria from the Far'ah Stream to the Judean Desert. Water Division -
The Hydrology Department. Water Planing for Israel Inc, Tel Aviv
Orthofer R, Loibl W (2001) GIS-based assessment of water pollution risks in the Jordan
Valley. Pro 4th Int Austrian-Israeli Technion Symp on Preserving the Quality of our
Water Resources, Vienna 2001