Observations Regarding Water Sharing and Management: An Intensive Analysis of the Jordan River Basin with Reference to Long-distance Transfers

• Published in: International journal of water resources development 1995-12, Vol.11 (4), p.351-376
• Main Authors: Kolars, John, Biswas, Asit K, Murakami, Masahiro, Wolf, Aaron, Waterbury, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Freshwater
• ISSN: 0790-0627; 1360-0648
• DOI: 10.1080/07900629550042083

The Middle East Water Commission (MEWC) analysed in detail the futu re provision of water for the populations living in and near the basin of the Jordan River. The MEWC reviewed 13 unilateral management options (MOs), four cooperative M O s and 24 water management priorities distributed among Palestine (West Bank), Palestine (Gaza) and Jordan. Similar options and priorities were considered for Israel. These were then evaluated using Delphi and PRINCE techno-political assessment techniques in order to identify a smaller set of feasible projects. A number of projects ranging from short term (reverse osm osis plants), to mid-term (M DC or RDC and/or pumped storage), to long term (water imported possibly from Turkey by pipeline and/or M edusa Bags) were found to be feasible and necessary to meet growing dem ands. The use of the Dead Sea as a sustainable reservoir for M DC/RDC brine discharge was calculated and balanced again st inflow of the Jordan River and return flow from water imported by pipeline from peripheral areas. All of these projects were found to be cost effective if RO desalinized water were included in the benefits.