1.3.01 Lack of water in the valley of the Jordan – finding cross-border solutions

1.3.01 Lack of water in the valley of the Jordan – finding cross-border solutions

Just 50 years ago, the River Jordan was abundant with water. These days, the lower course of the river is merely a trickle and the water level of the Dead Sea is falling by a metre every year. Diversions for the Israeli coast and the highlands around the Jordanian capital Amman have decimated the water supplies. It is thus virtually impossible to ensure economic and social development of the Jordan valley – especially as the population is exploding at the same time. A cross-border management concept could help ensure the resources available are used more efficiently. An international team of scientists is now recording previously unused water supplies, developing technologies for cleaning and storage and assuring the necessary infrastructures and expertise are in place in the affected regions.

In the spirit of the Millennium GoalsEight development objectives agreed by the heads of state and government of 189 countries in the Millennium Declaration of 2000. The goals, which originate from four spheres of action (1. Peace, security and disarmament, 2. Development and eradication of poverty, 3. Protection of our shared environment, 4. Human rights, democracy and good governance) and have a primary aim of securing a sustainable future, are to be implemented by 2015. and the UN “Water for Life” decade, the BMBF is supporting the international research project entitled “Sustainable Management of Available Water Resources with Innovative Technologies” (SMART) within the basinPart of the earth’s surface that is drained by a river and its tributaries. We distinguish between above-ground and underground basins. The drainage divide marks the boundaries of the basin. of the Lower Jordan. The project is being implemented under the scientific leadership of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together with German, Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian partners.

Assessing and managing water supplies

The key focus of the project is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all water resources in the area of investigation – including groundwater, wastewater, extremely saline waters and floodwater – and to incorporate this into an integrated cross-border management system. In order to achieve this, the scientists must survey and assess all resources that until now have never been considered for use for quality reasons or due to a lack of storage facilities. The intention is to determine suitable treatment techniques and develop intermediate storage capabilities in accordance with subsequent use and the local conditions. This integrative approach is new to the field of water management; apart from new technologies, a regional infrastructure and institutional capacities are required in order to implement integrated water resource management (IWRM).

Regional characteristics of the area under investigation

This region is typified by stark contrasts in climatic conditions, changing from Mediterranean (semi-aridRegions with a dry climate.) on the coast through to highly aridRegions with a dry climate. in the south-east. The precipitation within the Jordan basinPart of the earth’s surface that is drained by a river and its tributaries. We distinguish between above-ground and underground basins. The drainage divide marks the boundaries of the basin. varies from 800 millimetres a year in the northern mountainous regions (approx. 1,000 metres above sea level) to less than 100 millimetres a year in the Lower Jordan valley (250 to 420 metres below sea level). The latter lies within a major lineament comparable to a deep trench, where the Arabian Plate is shifted in a northerly direction. The flanks of the trench consist of carbonate rocks and sandstones, and it is filled with fluvialSomething which is created (eroded), transported, deposited (sedimentation) or enriched (soaps) through the movement of water (river/stream). Taken from the Latin word fluvius = river. Fluvial sediments are usually well rounded and can comprise virtually all rocks found in the basin of the relevant river or stream. and marine sediments. The ever-growing population, predominantly based in the major cities in the upper-lying regions (Jerusalem, Ramallah and Amman-Salt), is producing large amounts of wastewater in isolated areas that is either infiltrating the aquifers or flowing towards the Jordan via deep and mainly dry riverbeds – known as wadis. Economically, the Lower Jordan valley is in a period of agricultural, tourism and also industrial development. The high temperatures and fertile soils provide conditions for all-year-round farming and shape the region as a “natural greenhouse”.

Research with an application approach

During the first phaseA phase is a spatial area in which the physical parameters and chemical composition of the relevant matter are homogeneous. of the project (2006 to 2009), the researchers established extensive infrastructures such as the “SMART-Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Site” in Fuheis and environmental monitoring systems (climate, effluent, groundwater quality and quantity) in several sections of the basin. They also identified other sites for various forms of technology. Pilot systems are now being installed there in consultation with local ministries, development co-operation bodies and the industrial partners involved.

The second funding phaseA phase is a spatial area in which the physical parameters and chemical composition of the relevant matter are homogeneous. is ongoing and aims to implement the successful activities from the first phaseA phase is a spatial area in which the physical parameters and chemical composition of the relevant matter are homogeneous. within demonstration projects, with a strong application approach being taken. The German Water Partnership has already registered interest, particularly in the fields of wastewater treatment, membrane procedures, artificial groundwater enrichment and software-supported decision- making tools; several members of the umbrella organisation for German water management are involved in the SMART project. Discussions are also taking place with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau banking group (KfW), which sees great potential in decentralised wastewater treatment in the region.

Key results from the research programme have found their way into the Jordan National Strategic Water Plan 2008–2022, which means important political steps have already been taken to prepare a systematic solution for decentralised water management.

Building up structures and expertise

During the second phase of the project, the scientists will continue to characterise the available water resources and to expand into other areas. The key question is how the water quality can be developed in a closed basinPart of the earth’s surface that is drained by a river and its tributaries. We distinguish between above-ground and underground basins. The drainage divide marks the boundaries of the basin. in the medium and long term when increasing amounts of wastewater are being reused. The research team is investigating how hygiene-related micro-organisms can be eliminated and how organic trace elementsTrace elements are substances with a concentration in water of less than 100 micrograms per litre. These can be inorganic or organic trace elements that effect the quality of water. accumulate and biodegrade in arid to semi-arid conditions.

All activities are fed into IWRM scenarios for the sections of the basin, in which the various forms of adaptation are represented in terms of demographic, climatic and economic change and compared in analyses. Confirmed IWRM scenarios are then made available for the entire project area taking into account the new technology and management concepts.

Overall, the build-up of local capacities has played a major role within SMART II: this is crucial for the implementation of integrated water resource management. It was already evident in the first phase that there is huge interest in the specifically developed further education programmes. They received particular support from the major planning authorities (Palestinian Water Authority, Jordan Ministry of Water and Irrigation) and proved themselves to be a good opportunity to raise awareness for the IWRM process and the use of sustainable technologies.