(Proposed)
Regional Project for the Optimisation of Flood Prediction and the
Qualitative Management of Aquifers Threatened
by Contamination or Salinization
The French Global Environment Facility
(FFEM) and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEF)
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Proposed Project Document
| 1.1 Stakeholder parties |
Israel
Jordan
Palestinian Authority
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| 1.2 French institutional
partner |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs-DGCID |
1.3 French Global Environment
Facility
(FFEM) sphere of intervention
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Protection of International
Waters |
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1.4 Description of the project
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| 1.4.1 Context |
As a part of the Middle
East Peace Process, a multilateral track of five working groups
was formed in 1992 to focus on issues of common interest and
importance throughout the region and to build cooperation among
the Core Parties (Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian). One of
the five was the Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources
(MWGWR). At its November 1994 meeting, the working group gave
consensus approval to a document entitled "Middle East
Water Data Banks Implementation Plan", which contained
a number of recommendations to enable the exchange of consistent,
compatible, and scientifically defensible water data and information
to support decision making at both local and regional scales.
This plan also recommended that a committee be formed to help
manage and coordinate the project. Established in 1995, this
committee is known as the "Executive Action Team"
(EXACT). In addition to the Core Parties, EXACT members include
France, Australia, the European Union, The Netherlands, Switzerland,
the United Kingdom, and the United States.
France financed and implemented the "Regional pilot
project for hydrological data acquisition and transmission",
which was completed in 2003. The project successfully established
the foundation for measurement, data transmission, and database
management systems for the three Core Parties by developing
a set of shared tools and strengthening lines of communication.
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| 1.4.2 Physical characteristics
of the Region |
Due to its semi-arid to
arid climate, the Region has limited renewable water resources
(both surface and groundwater). Existing resources are overexploited
and their quality is deteriorating due to the discharge of industrial
and urban waste into surface waters (which also can pollute
nearby groundwater), contamination from intensive agricultural
land use, and the overexploitation of coastal aquifers. Despite
increased use of non-traditional water resources such as treated
urban wastewater, desalinized brackish water or seawater, and
use of fossil resources, available water resources are increasingly
limited. Water now seems to be a limiting factor in Regional
development, and informed water management is of increasing
importance. Improved knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative
state of water resources and a dialogue among the Parties of
the actual state of these resources will enhance effective management.
Surface water
The region's climate results in extreme and sometimes disastrous
hydrologic behaviour. Although droughts are frequent and severe,
rainfall events can be extremely sudden, violent, and devastating
in terms of their human toll and of material damage. The extreme
Mediterranean climate also leads to highly variable discharge
rates from one season or year to the next. The perennial flow
of some waterways is due only to the arrival of urban wastewater
which often is inadequately treated. Because many drainage
basins are international, an effective flood warning system
is required to reduce the impact of flooding (especially in
terms of life and property).
Groundwater
Groundwater is an important water source and accounts for
more than 55% of all water consumption. Several large aquifers
are present in the region, and protection of these aquifers
is of paramount important to both managers and to the populace.
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| 1.4.3 Project Objectives |
The project has two major
aims:
- To reinforce and ensure the sustainability of the pilot
data acquisition system, as well as to establish feasibility
for use in connection with a flood prediction and warning
system (floods being a significant risk for the region);
- To test water quality in areas at risk for pollution.
Contamination may occur naturally, through seawater encroachment
(infiltration); may be caused by over pumping (intrusion
of brackish groundwater); or may be man-made resulting from
the discharge of pollutants.
Joint training programs and regular follow-up meetings will
lead to greater coordination of activities and increased communication
among the Core Parties
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| 1.4.4 Project Description |
A Steering Committee composed
of representatives from the three Core Parties and appropriate
technical representatives from the Donor Country (France) will
effect smooth implementation of the proposed project. As soon
as the committee approves the project in principle, it will
begin work on the Terms of Reference.
The project is designed to encompass:
- A detailed work plan, specifying actions to be implemented.
- Clearly identified tasks to fill in the gaps and to make
improvements in the initial pilot project to ensure sustainable,
comprehensive data acquisition and transmission systems
including spare parts, rehabilitation of certain sites,
and reinstallation of equipment. During this stage, the
complementary equipment required for a flood warning system
should be emphasized.
- Design and installation of measurement systems and equipment
to monitor groundwater quality.
Insofar as possible, joint training sessions will be organised
for employees of the three Core Parties, in addition to the
needs-based training programs designed specifically for each
individual party. |
| Word® File |
This file is available as
a Word® file. |
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