Water using conflicts in the Lower Jordan River Basin

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. FAILED WATER ALLOCATION IN THE JORDAN RIVER BASIN

1.2. METHODOLOGY

1.3. STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY

2. BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF THE LOWER JORDAN RIVER BASIN

2.1. PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

2.1.1. Geographic location

2.1.2. Topography

2.1.3. Climatic setting

2.1.4. Geology

2.2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

2.2.1. Demography

2.2.2. Land tenure

2.2.3. Land use

2.2.3.1. Agriculture

2.2.3.2. Industry

2.2.3.3. Services

2.3. WATER RESOURCES

2.3.1. Water supply

2.3.1.1. Groundwater

2.3.1.2. Surface water

2.3.1.3. Non-conventional water resources

2.3.2. Water demand

2.3.2.1. Irrigated agriculture

2.3.2.2. Municipal demand

2.3.2.3. Industrial demand

2.4. WATER POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

2.4.1. Institutional framework

2.4.2. Water administration and water utilities in Jordan

2.4.3. Policy framework and water sector strategies

2.4.4. Legal framework

2.4.4.1. The Helsinki Rules

2.4.4.2. The ILC Rules

2.4.4.3. Bilateral water treaties

3. GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE WATER CRISES IN JORDAN

3.1. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES

3.1.1. The pre-exploitation phase since the 1950s

3.1.2. The exploitation phase in the mid-1970s

3.1.3. The conservation phase

3.1.4. Reorientation of Water Policies in the late 1990s

3.2. ON THE ECONOMICS OF WATER USAGE IN JORDAN

3.2.1. Productivity and profitability of irrigated agriculture

3.2.2. Water pricing in Jordan

3.2.3. Socio-economic impacts of a reduction of irrigated agriculture

3.3. THE APPROACH OF INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

3.3.1. The Dublin Principles

3.3.2. IWRM at river basin level

4. DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO ASSURE FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES

4.1. SUPPLY MANAGEMENT

4.1.1. Augmentation of irrigation water resources

4.1.1.1. Urban wastewater re-use

4.1.1.2. Brackish water desalination

4.1.2. Seawater desalination

4.1.3. Water Imports

4.1.3.1. Importation of water by sea

4.1.3.2. Importation of water by land

4.1.4. Virtual Water

4.1.5. Improved management of supplies

4.2. DEMAND MANAGEMENT

4.2.1. Improve (water use) efficiency

4.2.2. Regulatory measures

4.2.3. Water pricing

4.2.4. Legislation and institutional issues

4.3. TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

4.3.1. Economic instruments to reduce agricultural consumption

4.3.2. Improving irrigation efficiency

4.3.3. On farm management: information and education

4.3.4. Institutional arrangements towards an integrated policy

5. CONCLUSION

Objectives and Topics

The primary objective of this study is to examine the intersectoral water-using conflicts within the Lower Jordan River Basin (LJRB) and to analyze how an integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach can provide solutions for Jordan's water crises, with a specific focus on the agricultural sector's response to these challenges.

• Analysis of the physical and socio-economic baseline conditions of the Lower Jordan River Basin.
• Investigation of historical, political, and economic drivers of water crises in Jordan.
• Evaluation of supply management strategies, including non-conventional resources and water imports.
• Assessment of demand management policies, regulatory measures, and the potential of virtual water trade.
• Exploration of institutional arrangements and policy frameworks required for sustainable agriculture.

Excerpt from the book

Chapter Summaries

1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the global water crisis and the specific water scarcity challenges faced by Jordan, setting the focus on the Lower Jordan River Basin and the agricultural sector.

2. BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF THE LOWER JORDAN RIVER BASIN: Provides detailed geographical, geological, socio-economic, and hydrological data to understand the regional water framework and existing policy structures.

3. GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE WATER CRISES IN JORDAN: Surveys the historical and political origins of the current water conflict, evaluates the economics of water usage, and introduces the concept of IWRM.

4. DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO ASSURE FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES: Explores various supply-side (e.g., desalination, imports) and demand-side (e.g., efficiency, pricing) strategies, and outlines paths toward sustainable agriculture.

5. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings of the paper, emphasizing the necessity of an integrated management approach to bridge the gap between water supply and demand under extreme scarcity conditions.

Keywords

Lower Jordan River Basin, Water Scarcity, Integrated Water Resources Management, IWRM, Irrigated Agriculture, Water Allocation, Water Pricing, Demand Management, Supply Management, Virtual Water, Water Policy, Jordan, Groundwater, Desalination, Sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this study?

The study examines the water-using conflicts within the Lower Jordan River Basin and evaluates strategies to achieve optimal water allocation, specifically focusing on the agricultural sector's role in the national water crisis.

What are the central themes of the work?

The main themes include water scarcity, the transition from supply-driven to demand-driven management, the economic impact of water policies on agriculture, and the integration of water resources management (IWRM) principles.

What is the primary research goal?

The goal is to determine if intersectoral water-using conflicts in the LJRB can be resolved through an integrated management approach and how the agricultural sector can adapt to current water crises.

Which scientific methodology is applied?

The research uses the conceptual framework of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM), analyzing technical, economic, socio-economic, and political data.

What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?

The main section covers the physical and socio-economic baseline of the basin, historical political perspectives of the crisis, the economics of water usage, various supply-side and demand-side strategies, and sustainable agricultural policies.

Which keywords best characterize the research?

Key terms include water scarcity, IWRM, Jordan, agriculture, demand management, groundwater, and virtual water.

How does the Jordan Valley's agricultural model impact water usage?

The Jordan Valley utilizes intensive irrigation for high-value crops, often consuming a disproportionate amount of water compared to its contribution to GDP, which complicates current reallocation efforts toward municipal and industrial sectors.

What role does the "Virtual Water" concept play in this study?

The study utilizes the concept of virtual water to analyze the hidden water demand embedded in food imports, suggesting that importing water-intensive products is a strategic approach for water-scarce economies like Jordan.