Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies WATER BUDGET ANALYSIS AROUND THE DEAD SEA IN ISRAEL, JORDAN AND THE DISTRICT OF JERICHO Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Arts” By: Roee Elisha Date: 28.05.2006 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies WATER BUDGET ANALYSIS AROUND THE DEAD SEA IN ISRAEL, JORDAN AND THE DISTRICT OF JERICHO Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Arts” By Roee Elisha Under the Supervision of: Prof. Hendrik J. Bruins Department of Man in the Desert Dr. Clive D. Lipchin The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies Author's signature …………….………………………… Date ……………. Approved by the Supervisors…… …… Date ………..……. Approved by the Chairman of the Graduated Program Committee …….……………. Date ……………… Abstract WATER BUDGET ANALYSIS AROUND THE DEAD SEA IN ISRAEL, JORDAN AND THE DISTRICT OF JERICHO Roee Elisha Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Arts” Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies The water level of the Dead Sea has declined sharply in recent decades, causing dramatic changes in the local landscape of all three riparian entities: Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Although numerous studies have dealt with the general causes and effects of the decline, little information is available regarding regional water supply and demand patterns in the Dead Sea area itself. Understanding such patterns is of great importance, as human activities in the area account for a staggering 46% of total water losses in the Dead Sea basin. Moreover, regional master plans indicate increased pressure on local water resources for the various economic activities around the lake, as well as for accommodating population growth. A detailed water budget analysis was conducted of the different water resources around the lake among the three political riparian entities. The aim of the research was to identify desirable levels of water supply that enable current and future economic activities to function, while at the same time minimizing the deterioration of resources. An evaluation was made for alternative practices concerning local water use and supply patterns in order to increase the elasticity of the local water system. The study suggests that demand levels will soon reach the limit of supply capabilities, thus disturbing the delicate water balance. Projected stress derives from both active policies, such as the damming of the eastern wadis of the Dead Sea, the depletion of fossil aquifers, and the underutilization of captured runoff waters. Additional stress stems from negligence, as there are substantial water losses resulting from leakages and an underutilization of wastewater. Furthermore, the pricing system of water often fails to provide any major economic incentives for dissuading the major users from over-consumption or from inefficient utilization of their water sources. As for the agricultural sector, the study revealed that in all three political entities, scarce water resources were overused in order to grow non-arid tolerant crops in one of the most arid climates in the world. Recommendations are offered for achieving a long-term water balance in the Dead Sea area. An in-lieu recharge scheme was suggested for the Israeli and Palestinian domains. Within this scheme, it is advisable to consider the feasibility of directing wastewater generated and treated in the coastal plain to the Dead Sea area for industrial scrubbing and washing purposes and for the irrigation of fields in Kikar Sdom. In addition to wastewater import, the industrial sector should consider wastewater reuse. Thus, much water currently used by the Dead Sea Works can be stored and used for the growing needs of the tourist sector. In Jericho, treated wastewater levels should be tripled to supply one-third of the total amount of water used by the agricultural sector. Consequently, a considerable amount of freshwater currently used for crops irrigation can be directed to the growing needs of the domestic sector. The introduction of “new” water resources in the form of wastewater reuse for agriculture purposes in the Jordanian domain would improve the management of a scarce resource. Finally, the economic and cultural feasibility of modifying agricultural production to include more arid-tolerant crops, which consume less water, should be investigated. This thesis presents for the first time a comprehensive water budget for the entire Dead Sea region, which is vital information for policy development by government agencies, NGO’s and decision makers. An understanding of the current water budget, potential future requirements, and the available water resources are necessary for the development of long-term water resource management in the Dead Sea region. Acknowledgements This work was supported through a scholarship of the Programme of the European Commission Research Directorate General, as part of the project, “The Future of the Dead Sea Basin: Options for a more Sustainable Water Management.” I am very grateful for the remarkable guidance of my supervisors, Prof. Hendrik J. Bruins and Dr. Clive D. Lipchin. I would like to express my great appreciation to Prof. Bruins who contributed much from his wide academic experience and knowledge to my research and skills. I am also exceedingly grateful to Dr. Lipchin for accompanying me during the last two years during which he patiently instilled in me methods of learning. Without both of their help, this thesis would not have been written in such a way that I am proud of. Thanks to Noa Yachot, Tzipporah Ben-Avraham, Phoenix Lawhon and Ilana Meallem who helped immensely in the linguistic aspect of this thesis. Special thanks are given to David Lehrer, Prof. Yair Zarmi and Prof. Avigad Vonshak who were attentive to my economic needs throughout the last two years. Many thanks to the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies’ staff who provided me with the tools to view and analyze the world more environmentally. My appreciation goes to the Albert Katz Institute International School for Desert Studies which provided me the best study conditions a student could ask for. I am grateful to Dorit Levin for her patience kindness and help in administration-related issues. I would like to thank all the project’s colleagues and the specialists who provided me with the required information for this thesis as well as my friends who supported me with a great deal of love. Foremost, very special thanks to my dear family who provided me with warmth, love and support. Without their help this thesis would have never been written. Table of contents Page 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………..1-34 1.1 Water Scarcity In the Arid Realm……………………………………………..…1-4 1.2 Relevance And Limitations of the Water Balance Approach……………………4-9 1.3 Background Information………………………………………………………...9-28 1.3.1 Water Scarcity East and West of Jordan River……………………………..9-13 1.3.2 General Physiography of the Dead Sea……………… ..………………….13-16 1.3.3 Geological Development of the DS Basin………...…….………………....16-17 1.3.4 Economic Activities Around The Dead Sea…….…………………………17-18 1.3.5 Recent Fluctuations of the Dead Sea Water Level………………………...19-20 1.3.6 Dead Sea Lake Level Fluctuations in the Past………………………………..20 1.3.7 Rainfall and Dead Sea Level since the Availability of Meteorological Data……………………………………………………………..…………22-28 1.3.8 Anthropogenic Impact…………………………………………………......10-13 1.3.8.1 Water Diversion……………………………………………………..23-26 1.3.8.2 Loss of Water through Industrial Evaporation Ponds to Obtain DS Minerals….…………………………………………………….……26-27 1.3.8.3 Loss of Water through Wells Water Pumping …………….………..27-28 1.3.8.4 Water Use By Agriculture in the DS area………………………………28 1.4 Relevance of this Thesis……………………………………………………..28-33 1.5 Main Objectives and Hypothesis for the MA Research………………………...34 Page 2. Research Design………………………………………………………………..35-62 2.1 Research Subject……………………………………………………………….35 2.2 Research questions………………………………………………………….35-36 2.3 Study Area………………………………………………………………….36-38 2.4 Social Economy of the Study Area…………………………………………38-40 2.5 General information on the “Dead Sea Project”…………………….………….41 2.6 Data Collection for the MA Research within the Framework of the “Dead Sea Project”………………………………………………………...42-44 2.6.1 Data Collection Duration and Period………………………………………42 2.6.2 Problems Encountered and Solutions………………………….……….42-44 2.7 Data collection in the Israeli study area……………………………………..45-51 2.7.1 Data collection of water resources and their quality…………………...45-47 2.7.2 Data collection of water allocation and consumption in the Israeli study area……………………………………………………………...….47 2.7.3 Data collection of water allocation and consumption within the industrial sector in the Israeli study area.…………………………47-48 2.7.4 Data collection of water allocation and consumption within the agricultural sector in the Israeli study area………………………….…48-51 2.7.4.1 Data collection of water allocation and consumption within the tourism sector in the Israeli study area………………………...49 2.7.4.2 Data collection of water allocation and consumption within the domestic sector in the Israeli study area…….…………...50 Page 2.7.4.3 Data collection of the types