TITLE: Development of methods for a quick warning system against groundwater pollution in Israel PROBLEM: Groundwater is the major source of Israel’s freshwater. Aquifers in densely populated areas with intensive economic activity are susceptible to chemical pollution which may often be practically irreversible. The present methods of monitoring register groundwater pollution after it has already occurred. Hence the need for an early warning system against anticipated pollution. OBJECTIVES: Design of a national early warning system on anticipated pollution based on novel optic detectors. APPROACH: Investigation of chemical detection methods with optic fibers, development of the analytic method and the required equipment, construction of a prototype and evaluation of its performance in the field. BEGINNING DATE: 1.7.1994 ENDING DATE: 1.7.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS: The first year of study has shown that the proposed method is efficient in immediate detection of organic pollutants in water. However, one of the conclusions was the need for a more sensitive detector both in the range and in temporal resolution. The second year was devoted to the construction of a new detector and to the investigation of the effect of hydrosoles on the florescence of pollutants in the water. A way was found to reduce this effect. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Israel Shechter ADDRESS: Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-4-8292579 TELEFAX: 972-4-220133 EMAIL: TITLE: Evaluation of frequency and intensity of historic flows in the Arava drainage basin PROBLEM: The major source of water in the Arava is groundwater. Most of the replenishment is contributed by big floods, the records of which are generally scarce. Hence, the low reliability of the current estimates of replenishment and return period of peak discharges, which are based on sparse and short term records from existing hydrometric stations in the Arava. OBJECTIVES: To investigate and assess the frequency and intensity of the largest historic floods in the basins which drain their waters into the Arava from both Jordan and Israel, in order to improve the assessment of replenishment and the analysis of floods. APPROACH: Selection of appropriate river sections at which field data will be collected and paleo- hydrological methods of analysis (geomorphology,sedimentology and hydraulic model) will be applied to obtain information on time of occurrence, frequency, water level profile and intensities of extreme flood events. BEGINNING DATE: June 1, 1995 ENDING DATE: December 31, 1996 CURRENT PROGRESS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Yehuda Enzel ADDRESS: Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University, Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-2-584210 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: Improvement of rainfall measurement by means of radar PROBLEM: Statistical analyses and theoretical considerations indicate that artificial cloud seeding may have different effects on the same cloud under different conditions, as well as on different simultaneously present clouds. Hence, the need for a method that enables an evaluation of the effectiveness of cloud seeding at the scale of individual clouds. Radar is the only device by which one can measure and trace the development of precipitation in individual clouds. OBJECTIVES: Further development of accurate methods which enable a quantitative assessment of rainfall from radar measurements. The methods are being developed in cooperation with a NASA project designed to launch into space a radar system for measuring precipitation. Being in the range of measurement of the satellite, Israel will serve as a validation station on the ground. APPROACH: Development of a mathematical model for a quantitative assessment of rainfall from radar measurements by way of fitting probabilities to the distribution of intensities - “the method of classified windows” - CWPMM. Collection of synchronic raingauge and radar measurements including placement of digital rainfall recorders. Processing of the data to obtain a quantitative estimation of rainfall from radar measurements on the basis of synchronized data by means of the CWPMM method. BEGINNING DATE: 1.5.1995 ENDING DATE: 1.5.1998 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS: Development of the required mathematical models and processing of the radar data and rainfall data from the 1994/95 rainfall season. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Daniel Rosenfeld ADDRESS: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem TELEPHONE: 972-2-585821 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: The geochemistry and geochronology of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer along the course Beer-Sheva - Yarkon-Taninim PROBLEM: The Yarkon-Taninim aquifer is one of the major water sources of Israel. Recent geophysical, chemical and isotopic findings call for a revision of the previously dominating assumption that the aquifer represents a single hydrological unit. OBJECTIVES: Location and characterization of recharge zones and examination of their connections with the main water bodies in the aquifer; tracing of flow paths and estimation of flow velocities; assessment of chemical rock-water reactions and location of anomalies; characterization of chemical evolutions and examination of the hydrochemical continuity of the groundwater system. APPROACH: Sampling of well and spring water in the study area, measurement of pH, Eh and temperature, analysis of major ions and of isotopes, to be followed by chemical data processing and evaluation of equilibrium, employing the WATEQ and PHREEQE computer codes. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1995 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1996 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The Beer-Sheva region is not connected to the Yarkon- Taninim system. Yarkon and Taninim are two distinct and different hydrological systems. The Rosh-Haayen region contains two or three distinct groundwater bodies. The lower water bodies, surprisingly, appear to be younger and faster flowing. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Yoel Kronfeld ADDRESS: Division of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6498243 TELEFAX: 972-3-6409282 EMAIL: TITLE: Updated assessment of the impact of cloud seeding on the Lake Kinneret water yield PROBLEM: Cloud seeding in Israel was started in 1960 and became operational since 1975/76. A major objective of this operation is to enhance the flows into Lake Kinneret. Estimates of the enhancement of precipitation in the north of Israel were 13% in 1981 and 7% in 1995. According to the prevailing hydrological theories, a given increase in rainfall is expected to affect a higher increase in flow. Despite this, it was found that the flow from the drainage basin of Lake Kinneret, which is affected by the operation, increased by 6% only. OBJECTIVES: To reestimate the changes in the available water volumes of Lake Kinneret and the flow volume changes in the upper Jordan river and its tributaries as a result of cloud seeding. APPROACH: The first stage of the project will include the construction of updated homogeneous flow series in the drainage basin of Lake Kinneret, by collecting, processing and inclusion of data on water consumption in the system. The second stage will include collection of additional annual rainfall data, completion of missing rainfall data by means of linear regression, and construction of an updated rainfall series for each of the relevant regions. This stage will also include calibration of a daily hydrometeorological model for the periods prior to operational seeding and after it, aimed at detecting changes in parameters which may be attributed to cloud seeding. Finally, statistical methods will be used to obtain a comparison between the changes in the series of flow and those in the series of rainfall. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAMES: a) Ehud Simon, b) Arie Ben-Zvi ADDRESS: a) TAHAL ltd, 54 Ibn Gvirol str. Tel-Aviv b) Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063 TELEPHONE: a) 972-3-6924434 b) 972-2-384403 TELEFAX: a) 972-3-6969969 b) 972-2 - 388704 EMAIL: TITLE: Qualitative-quantitative assessment of the heterogeneity of the coastal aquifer in Israel PROBLEM: The lithology and structure of the coastal aquifer in Israel are highly heterogeneous which results in a complex flow pattern. Hence, the need for an adequate quantitative characterization of heterogeneity as a precondition for rational operation of this important aquifer. OBJECTIVES: To map the hydrogeological heterogeneity of the aquifer on the basis of information derived from lithological and water head data. APPROACH: Use of lithologic well log data, water level data and point data from pump tests for a first level assessment of the field of transmissivity. The methodology is based on the use of variational methods which are practiced in the oil exploration industry. BEGINNING DATE: 1.1.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Anatoli Krupnik ADDRESS: Desert Research Institute, Ben Gurion University in the Negev, Sede Boker Campus 84990 TELEPHONE: 972-7-565746 TELEFAX: 972-7-577042 EMAIL: TITLE: Information system for planning the water economy of Israel PROBLEM: The planning of a water-related project requires a multitude of different, yet interrelated, data categories. At present these data are scattered in different places, stored in different ways and formats, and often inaccessible. OBJECTIVES: To build a national data base to meet the planning needs of Israel’s water economy, and to enable an easy and convenient access to data. APPROACH: Survey of data requirements, identification of permanent data sources, and arrangement of procedures for a regular transfer of data from the sources to the data base. BEGINNING DATE: 1.8.1994 ENDING DATE: 31.8.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS: A relational Data Base of ACESS has been established. At this stage it allows an easy retrieval of raw data which have been collected from various governmental and public agencies on the basis of established procedures. The next step in the development of the system includes the creation of links between its components. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Itiel Pinker ADDRESS: Water Commission, Planning Department, 98 Petach Tikva Rd, Tel Aviv TELEPHONE: 972-3-6971884 TELEFAX: 972-3-5610165 EMAIL: itiel@netvision.net.il TITLE: Identification of the salinization sources of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer PROBLEM: The salinity of the water in the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer is highly variable in space both horizontally and vertically. Moreover, certain parts of the aquifer show a trend of increasing salinity. A correct identification of contamination sources can assist in guiding the policies of groundwater exploitation and treatment. The problem becomes complicated when the ratios between concentrations of the major ions become close to those of seawater. These ratios cannot distinguish between currently invading seawater and ancient seawater which has saturated the rock in the geological past and is currently leached out by its replenishment. OBJECTIVES: Development of new geochemical criteria for identifying the sources of pollution of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer which will enable to distinguish between salinization by present seawater and salinization by seawater which was contained by the rocks of the aquifer in ancient geological periods. APPROACH: The main idea of the project is to test whether selected trace elements can serve as indicators for distinguishing between old and new seawater. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.10.1998 CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULT: A preliminary investigation which involved chemical analyses of water from wells between the recharge area end the Rosh-Haayin spring has shown that according to the Na/CL ratio, the well water is a mixture of fresh water with seawater. But, the ratios of the trace elements Li and Sr to Chloride indicate that the source of salt is an evaporated brine of old seawater which is leached out from the aquifer by the replenishment. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Amitai Katz ADDRESS: Earth Science Institute, Hebrew University, Givat-Ram campus, Jerusalem 91904 TELEPHONE: 972-2-6584620 TELEFAX: 972-2-6514805 EMAIL: TITLE: Regional monitoring of pollutant movement in the sediments of the unsaturated zone above the coastal aquifer PROBLEM: Groundwater monitoring does not detect pollutants before they reach groundwater table. OBJECTIVE: Organization of a regional system for monitoring the movement of pollutants in the unsaturated zone above the coastal aquifer APPROACH: Use existing large diameter wells with insulated walls as monitoring wells, drilling of horizontal holes through the walls into the unsaturated sediments at different depths above the water table and placement of porous cup samplers therein. Sediment samples obtained during drilling will be analyzed for water content and for concentration of dissolved and adsorbed pollutants. Chemical and microbial analyses of samples taken from the porous cup samplers at chosen time intervals will enable to follow up the movement of pollutants towards the groundwater table and to estimate its anticipated effect on groundwater pollution as time goes on. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.3.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: Prospect of extension for two more years CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The survey of existing large diameter wells has been completed. The first experimental monitoring well was chosen and equipped. A report on the first analyses was published. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Michael Zilberbrand ADDRESS: Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-2-381101 TELEFAX: 972-2-388704 EMAIL: TITLE: Report on the water balance of Israel PROBLEM: Planning and management of the water economy of Israel requires processed hydrologic information on the yield and available supply of the water sources OBJECTIVES: Construction of a computerized user-friendly system for the provision of easily accessible and updated information on the water balance and exploitable yield of Israel’s water sources APPROACH: Building of a data base and development of an object oriented package of programmes containing the following objects and classes: Windows, menus and communication with the user; Computerized maps of the relevant geographic, administrative and hydrologic planning units; Property sheets of the water balance units; Computerized tables of the water balance and exploitable yield ; Graphic display accessories; Help and users guide. BEGINNING DATE: 15.10.1994 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1996 INTERIM RESULTS: The system is already operational and undergoing final adjustments PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: a) Jacob Bear b)Jacob Bensabat ADDRESS: a) Technion, Civil Engineering, Technion City, Haifa 32000 b) E.W.R.E., P.O.Box 6770, Haifa 31067 TELEPHONE: a) 972-4-292290 b) 972-4-8256043 TELEFAX: a) 972-4-8228898 b) 972-4-8256039 EMAIL: b) jbensabat@ewre.com TITLE: Interrelations between inorganic pollutants (nutrients, bromide, boron and fluoride) and salinity in the coastal aquifer: geochemical characterization of pollution processes PROBLEM: Protection of Israel’s water resources against pollution requires an early identification of the sources of pollution. The problem is of particular importance in the coastal plain where the quality of the groundwater is in a state of continuous degradation. OBJECTIVES: Determination of chemical collections as indicators of anthropogenic sources of groundwater pollution APPROACH: Selection of regions with a history of groundwater salinization and pollution. Chemical analyses of bromide, boron, fluoride and of the major ions in the groundwater along with chemical analyses of anthropogenic “end-members” (such as raw sewage, effluents, fertilizer leachates). Combination with isotopic data of boron and with hydrogeologic data to analyze relationships and to evaluate the specific contribution of each source. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.96 ENDING DATE: 1.2.97 COMMENTS ON DATES: Prospect of extension to 31.3.1999 CURRENT PROGRESS AND INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Avraham Starinsky ADDRESS: Division of Geology, Hebrew University, Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem TELEPHONE: 972-2-6584885 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: Location of groundwater flow systems in the areas of the Dead Sea springs by geophysical methods PROBLEM: Lack of local water sources to meet the demand along the Dead Sea shore OBJECTIVES: Spotting and recognition of the aquifers which feed the Dead Sea springs. Location of deep aquifers which discharge their waters directly to the Dead Sea below the springs and examination of their exploitable yield and water quality APPROACH: Use of a detailed geophysical survey by the TDEM technique as a supplement to earlier TDEM and NMR surveys; drilling of dual purpose, research and observation, wells for investigating the hydrogeological systems and for validating the geophysical findings; observations of well water levels and water quality; estimation of direct discharge to the Dead Sea. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.3.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: A report on the findings of the previous geophysical surveys is ready for submission to the Water Commission of Israel PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dror Gilad ADDRESS: Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-2-381101 TELEFAX: 972-2-388704 EMAIL: TITLE: New hydrogeological-hydrochemical model of the Arava PROBLEM: Regional water supply problems, as well as processes of groundwater salinization, call for a revision of the groundwater potential in the Arava. OBJECTIVES: Formulation of an updated model of the groundwater system in the Arava as a regional collector and mixer of water from different neighboring regions. APPROACH: Reexamination of the accumulated hydrogeological, hydrochemical and isotopic information and establishment of a regional groundwater-related data base; Execution of a simultaneous sampling operation; Review of the available information on the geology of the subsurface in the region and comparison of this information with the findings of the recent geophysical surveys; Testing of correlation between the structural findings and the distribution of salinization spots; Check of relationship between the different types of salinization and the structural and hydrogeological-hydrochemical properties of the aquifers. BEGINNING DATE: 1.6.1995 ENDING DATE: 1.6.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The hydrochemical survey of the water sources in the southern Arava was completed in 1995. The survey of the northern Arava is being conducted in 1996. The analysis of the sampled waters is nearing completion. Solute balances were used to reconstruct the development of groundwater chemistry in the Paran and Zofar areas. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Eliyahu Rosenthal ADDRESS: Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063 TELEPHONE: 972-2-384403 TELEFAX: 972-2-388704 EMAIL: TITLE: A hydrogeological model of Lake Kinneret and the regional aquifers PROBLEM: Lake Kinneret delivers 600 million cubic meters of water per annum. In spite of the diverted saline springs around the lake, the salinity of its water is still too high for both agriculture and artificial replenishment of the coastal aquifer. Any strategy for reducing the salinity of the lake requires an understanding of the mechanism of salinization. Previous studies led to the conclusion that the source of salinity are brines. As to the mechanism of salinization two different types of driving forces have been suggested. One theory assumes that a high pressure in deep strata lifts the brines up to the surface of the ground. The other theory suggests that the brines are stagnant, but their salt is washed away by fresh groundwater from surrounding aquifers. The two theories lead to opposite conclusions with respect to the ways of reducing the salinity of the lake. OBJECTIVES: Development of a comprehensive hydrogeologic model which can explain the relationships between the salinity of the lake and its sources. APPROACH: The study will consist of three steps. The first step will include the development of a conceptual model to explain the discharge of salt around the lake and in the rift valley and the relationships between discharge and salinity in the different springs. The next steps will include application of the OILGEN model which has had a widespread and successful use in understanding the behavior of large, heterogeneous and anisotropic hydrogeologic systems. The OILGEN model, which can solve simultaneously the equations of flow, heat transport and transport of solutes, under the conditions of the natural system, will be used in the second step for identifying the patterns of flow and solute transport, and - in the third step - for testing the effectiveness of different strategies in reducing the salinity of the water in the lake. BEGINNING DATE: 1.5.1996 ENDING DATE: 1.5.1998 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Haim Gwirtzman ADDRESS: Hebrew University, Earth Science Institute, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904 TELEPHONE: 972-2-6584912 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: Master plan of Israel’s Water Economy PROBLEM: The growing demand for water under limited supply of the available sources of fresh water, and the continuous degradation of the water quality in the latter, call for an updated master plan of Israel’s water economy for the period of the coming decades. OBJECTIVES: Review the anticipated gap between the demand and supply of water, and propose a plan of water resources development and operation aimed at closing the gap at minimum cost under prescribed constraints on reliability of supply and quality of the water sources. APPROACH: Integrate all possible sources and means of supply within the framework of the National Water System which comprises Lake Kinneret and the major aquifers; expand the use of reclaimed wastewater as an additional source of water wherever feasible, leaving most of the fresh water for domestic use; expand desalination of sea water wherever economically justified; consider options of artificial recharge of the major aquifers combined with improved technologies of upgrading the quality of supplied water as means for achieving both conservation of freshwater sources and regulation of interseasonal and interannual supply. BEGINNING DATE: September 1995 ENDING DATE: December 1996 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: A progress report on a first draft plan has been submitted for review by the Water Commission PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Joshua Schwarz ADDRESS: Tahal-Consulting Engineers ltd, 54 Ibn Gevirol Str., Tel Aviv 61111 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6924515 TELEFAX: 972-6969969 EMAIL: TITLE: Master plan for the management of the coastal groundwater basin PROBLEM: The coastal groundwater basin serves as a major source of fresh water and as subsurface storage reservoir for regulating the short and long-term operation of the national water supply system. The intense urbanization and economic activity in the coastal plain are accompanied by a continuous degradation of the groundwater quality and a depletion of the exploitable yield. The situation may be aggravated by the growing use of effluents in agriculture. OBJECTIVES: Stabilization of the storage and water quality of the coastal aquifer. Preparation of an action plan which coordinates the operation of the coastal aquifer with the regional planning of the coastal plain and with that of the national water supply system. APPROACH: Revise and map the vulnerability of the coastal aquifer to pollution and select drinking water quality conservation zones. Test alternatives of a central collector for transporting municipal effluents from the coastal plain to irrigation plots in the south of the country versus, or combined with, the local use. Review and select areas for reclamation, storage and reuse of wastewater for irrigation in parts of the coastal plain. Establish annual rules for the spatial distribution of pumpage and recharge based on the long-term objectives and on the feedback from the actual state of the groundwater. Establish rules for licensing waste disposal and other activities which may enhance pollution of the aquifer. Perform the planning with readjusted flow and mass transport models and adequate data bases. Prepare terms of reference of projects aimed at a detailed design and implementation of the various plans, and at monitoring the response of the groundwater system. BEGINNING DATE: September 1996 ENDING DATE: December 1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Joshua Schwarz ADDRESS: Tahal- Consulting Engineers ltd, 54 Ibn Gevirol Str., Tel Aviv 61111 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6924515 TELEFAX: 972-6969969 EMAIL TITLE: Remote sensing of effluent quality in wastewater reservoirs and oxidation ponds PROBLEM: Wastewater reservoirs in Israel for effluent storage and reuse are characterized by high bioturbidity. OBJECTIVES: Development of a remote sensing method for monitoring bioturbidity of effluents. APPROACH: Solar energy trapped close to the surfaces of wastewater reservoirs and oxidation ponds induces thermal stratification and warming up of the epilimnia which can be detected remotely using an infrared radiometer. Pilot plant and field studies proved that significant correlations exist between turbidity, chlorophyll content and infrared temperature. Obtained models will serve for developing a remote sensing method for effluent monitoring. BEGINNING DATE: 1995 ENDING DATE: 1996 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Inka Dor ADDRESS: Hebrew University, School of Applied Science, Division of Environmental Sciences, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904 TELEPHONE: 972-2-85554 TELEFAX: 972-2-5635388 EMAIL: TITLE: Groundwater pollution due to preferential flow in the unsaturated zone PROBLEM: Agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers or pesticides, are indispensable in modern agriculture. Fertilizers and pesticides are highly beneficial to the crops being grown, but only as long as they remain in the root zone of the soil. Dissolved chemical transport downward can take place through the main soil bulk or through preferential pathways. Preferred pathways may result from biological and/or geological activity (e.g., macropores, earthworm burrows, channels consisting of highly conductive media) or from farm management practice. The water and chemicals are moving much faster through these pathways and contribute to the pollution of groundwater. A better understanding of the factors affecting the percolation of water and the mobility, extent and nature of chemical transport and biological degradation of solutes is required to improve modeling efforts and management practices. OBJECTIVES: To study and quantify the mechanisms that control the interaction between preferred pathways and the main matrix and their effect on the spatial and temporal distribution of chemicals in the unsaturated zone APPROACH: Formulation of an analytical model which simulates the advective-dispersive transport of a solute through a vertical slit coupled with diffusion through a boundary layer of contact between the slit and the matrix. Effects of density instability are also taken into account. BEGINNING DATE: January 1994 ENDING DATE: October 1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The model was successfully used to predict breakthrough curves in experimental structured blocks and granite cores at Cornell and Wisconsin Universities PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Rony Wallach ADDRESS: Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O.Box 12, Rehovot 76100 TELEPHONE: 972-8-948-1170 TELEFAX: 972-8-9475181 EMAIL: wallach@agri.huji.ac.il TITLE: Modeling the convective chemical transfer from soil solution to surface runoff PROBLEM: Pesticides, nutrients, and other agricultural chemicals transferred from soil to surface runoff water are potentially important pollutants of nearby surface waters OBJECTIVES: Development of a model which quantifies the interaction between the soil solution in the upper part of the soil profile and runoff water flowing over the soil surface as a tool for predicting the release of soil- applied chemicals to surface runoff APPROACH: A physically-based model, rather than a black-box type model, is being developed in order to predict the water discharge and solute concentration at the field outlet. This will serve as a screening model for the usage of different chemicals as well as a prediction model for the pollution induced by different runoff events. BEGINNING DATE: January 1986 ENDING DATE: None COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The validity of the model has been tested and successfully verified by comparison with experimental works. The results are published in 20 papers in the journals Water Resources Research, Journal of Hydrology and Contaminant Hydrology. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Rony Wallach ADDRESS: Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O.Box 12, Rehovot 76100 TELEPHONE: 972-8-948-1170 TELEFAX: 972-8-9475181 EMAIL: wallach@agri.huji.ac.il TITLE: Development and application of a three dimensional flow and salinity simulation model in the north of the Yarkon-Taninim groundwater basin PROBLEM: The northwestern edge of the Yarkon-Taninim basin is an area where fresh groundwater comes into contact with saline water. The Taninim springs serve as an outlet for a mixture of these waters. There is uncertainty about the source of the saline water and about the mechanism of its movement which may pose a threat to the quality of water pumped from wells in the northern part of the basin. OBJECTIVES: Construction and calibration of a mathematical model which will enable to estimate the relationship between groundwater levels at control points and the risk of salinization of well fields in the north of the Yarkon-Taninim Basin. APPROACH: Setting up of a three dimensional model which fits the structural and stratigraphic features of the basin in the study area and the technical features of the well field, and takes into account the density differences of the two water sources. The model will be calibrated and validated on the basis of historic data. It will then be used to predict the effects of various climatic regimes and pumping patterns on the pumped water quality. BEGINNING DATE: 1.1.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Guttman Joseph ADDRESS: Tahal Co., 54 Ibn Gvirol Str., Tel-Aviv 61111 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6924631 TELEFAX: 972-3-6924758 EMAIL: TITLE: Consolidation of a hydrogeologic model of the Yarkon-Taninim groundwater basin on the basis of updated geologic and geophysical findings PROBLEM: Recent geological and geophysical works enable the closing of information gaps concerning the western boundary of the basin, the presence of hydraulic barriers, the interconnection between aquifers of the basin and the flow pattern. OBJECTIVES: Delineation of the western boundary of the basin, refinement of geologic structures and mapping of lithologic heterogeneities. APPROACH: Data collection, interpretation and analysis. Mapping of geometry, lithofacial changes, geologic structures, intra- and inter-aquifer connections. BEGINNING DATE: 1.11.1995 ENDING DATE: 31.10 1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Gavriel Weinberger ADDRESS: 39 Merkaz Hanegev Bldg. Beer-Sheva 84548 TELEPHONE: 972-7-495798 TELEFAX: 972-7-480359 EMAIL: TITLE: A study of the environmental protection and the ecological impact aspects of waste water recycling and reuse in the environmentally sensitive transboundary mountain aquifer areas shared by Israelis and Palestinians PROBLEM: The recycling and reuse of wastewater can serve for the Israelis and Palestinians as the main sustainable source of water for agricultural development based on the estimated population growth over a period of 30 years. However, wastewater recycling and reuse carries with it numerous potential environmental health, ecological and environmental pollution risks which must be carefully assayed and evaluated in the planning and the development of a reuse program. Serious problems of groundwater pollution by wastewater borne chemicals or pathogens microorganisms may result from improperly controlled wastewater recycling and reuse. This is particularly so in the highly permeable, pollution prone, recharge areas of the karstic, limestone/ dolomite mountain aquifer which is the main transboundary water source shared by Israelis and Palestinians. OBJECTIVES: Preparation of an ecological impact assessment and an environmental monitoring and control program on the environmental aspects of wastewater recycling and reuse in the transboundary mountain areas shared by Israelis and Palestinians. Suggestion of environmental standards and guidelines as well as a legal and administrative framework for joint environmental management and control. APPROACH: Conduction of studies by joint interdisciplinary teams on the various topics of the project. Holding of a series of joint Israeli-Palestinian academic workshops on the subject of the project at various stages; to report on progress and concepts developed, and to receive feedback from academic, technical and administrative authorities from both sides; and, with the help of international experts, to serve as training programs for technical and policy making staff. The project is planned to be carried out in two phases. The tasks of the first, 3 year long, phase include field survey and mapping of current pollution sources; survey of environmentally sensitive areas; development of relevant hydrological and environmental data bases; development and calibration of relevant groundwater pollution models; environmental monitoring for follow- up and model validation; estimation of wastewater supply and of demand for wastewater recycling up to year 2025, and development of reuse guidelines and options. The tasks of the second phase will include the preparation of preliminary engineering layouts for a master plan of a wastewater recycling and reuse system; an economic analysis of costs and benefits of a wastewater recycling and reuse program; preparation of preliminary proposals of legal and administrative models for the joint management and environmental control of the program, and development of a sustainable joint Israeli-Palestinian environmental monitoring and control system. The following dates pertain to the first phase of the project. BEGINNING DATE: 1.1.1995 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS AND INTERIM RESULTS: The following tasks are nearing completion: field survey and mapping of land-use and current pollution sources; survey of environmentally sensitive areas and development of relevant hydrological and environmental data bases PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: (1) Hillel Shuval; (2) Jad Isaac ADDRESS: (1) Hebrew University, Division of Environmental Sciences, School of Applied Science, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904; (2) Palestine Consultancy Group, Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem-Arij-Bethlehem TELEPHONE: (1) 972-2-6584151; (2) 972-2-281822 TELEFAX: (1) 972-2-741889; (2) 972-2-741889 EMAIL: TITLE: Development of methods for a quick warning system against groundwater pollution in Israel PROBLEM: Groundwater is the major source of Israel’s freshwater. Aquifers in densely populated areas with intensive economic activity are susceptible to chemical pollution which may often be practically irreversible. The present methods of monitoring register groundwater pollution after it has already occurred. Hence the need for an early warning system against anticipated pollution. OBJECTIVES: Design of a national early warning system on anticipated pollution based on novel optic detectors. APPROACH: Investigation of chemical detection methods with optic fibers, development of the analytic method and the required equipment, construction of a prototype and evaluation of its performance in the field. BEGINNING DATE: 1.7.1994 ENDING DATE: 1.7.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS: The first year of study has shown that the proposed method is efficient in immediate detection of organic pollutants in water. However, one of the conclusions was the need for a more sensitive detector both in the range and in temporal resolution. The second year was devoted to the construction of a new detector and to the investigation of the effect of hydrosoles on the florescence of pollutants in the water. A way was found to reduce this effect. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Israel Shechter ADDRESS: Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-4-8292579 TELEFAX: 972-4-220133 EMAIL: TITLE: Evaluation of frequency and intensity of historic flows in the Arava drainage basin PROBLEM: The major source of water in the Arava is groundwater. Most of the replenishment is contributed by big floods, the records of which are generally scarce. Hence, the low reliability of the current estimates of replenishment and return period of peak discharges, which are based on sparse and short term records from existing hydrometric stations in the Arava. OBJECTIVES: To investigate and assess the frequency and intensity of the largest historic floods in the basins which drain their waters into the Arava from both Jordan and Israel, in order to improve the assessment of replenishment and the analysis of floods. APPROACH: Selection of appropriate river sections at which field data will be collected and paleo- hydrological methods of analysis (geomorphology, sedimentology and hydraulic model) will be applied to obtain information on time of occurrence, frequency, water level profile and intensities of extreme flood events. BEGINNING DATE: June 1, 1995 ENDING DATE: December 31, 1996 CURRENT PROGRESS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Yehuda Enzel ADDRESS: Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University, Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-2-584210 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: Improvement of rainfall measurement by means of radar PROBLEM: Statistical analyses and theoretical considerations indicate that artificial cloud seeding may have different effects on the same cloud under different conditions, as well as on different simultaneously present clouds. Hence, the need for a method that enables an evaluation of the effectiveness of cloud seeding at the scale of individual clouds. Radar is the only device by which one can measure and trace the development of precipitation in individual clouds. OBJECTIVES: Further development of accurate methods which enable a quantitative assessment of rainfall from radar measurements. The methods are being developed in cooperation with a NASA project designed to launch into space a radar system for measuring precipitation. Being in the range of measurement of the satellite, Israel will serve as a validation station on the ground. APPROACH: Development of a mathematical model for a quantitative assessment of rainfall from radar measurements by way of fitting probabilities to the distribution of intensities - “the method of classified windows” - CWPMM. Collection of synchronic raingauge and radar measurements including placement of digital rainfall recorders. Processing of the data to obtain a quantitative estimation of rainfall from radar measurements on the basis of synchronized data by means of the CWPMM method. BEGINNING DATE: 1.5.1995 ENDING DATE: 1.5.1998 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS: Development of the required mathematical models and processing of the radar data and rainfall data from the 1994/95 rainfall season. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Daniel Rosenfeld ADDRESS: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem TELEPHONE: 972-2-585821 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: The geochemistry and geochronology of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer along the course Beer-Sheva - Yarkon-Taninim PROBLEM: The Yarkon-Taninim aquifer is one of the major water sources of Israel. Recent geophysical, chemical and isotopic findings call for a revision of the previously dominating assumption that the aquifer represents a single hydrological unit. OBJECTIVES: Location and characterization of recharge zones and examination of their connections with the main water bodies in the aquifer; tracing of flow paths and estimation of flow velocities; assessment of chemical rock-water reactions and location of anomalies; characterization of chemical evolutions and examination of the hydrochemical continuity of the groundwater system. APPROACH: Sampling of well and spring water in the study area, measurement of pH, Eh and temperature, analysis of major ions and of isotopes, to be followed by chemical data processing and evaluation of equilibrium, employing the WATEQ and PHREEQE computer codes. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1995 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1996 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The Beer-Sheva region is not connected to the Yarkon- Taninim system. Yarkon and Taninim are two distinct and different hydrological systems. The Rosh-Haayen region contains two or three distinct groundwater bodies. The lower water bodies, surprisingly, appear to be younger and faster flowing. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Yoel Kronfeld ADDRESS: Division of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6498243 TELEFAX: 972-3-6409282 EMAIL: TITLE: Updated assessment of the impact of cloud seeding on the Lake Kinneret water yield PROBLEM: Cloud seeding in Israel was started in 1960 and became operational since 1975/76. A major objective of this operation is to enhance the flows into Lake Kinneret. Estimates of the enhancement of precipitation in the north of Israel were 13% in 1981 and 7% in 1995. According to the prevailing hydrological theories, a given increase in rainfall is expected to affect a higher increase in flow. Despite this, it was found that the flow from the drainage basin of Lake Kinneret, which is affected by the operation, increased by 6% only. OBJECTIVES: To reestimate the changes in the available water volumes of Lake Kinneret and the flow volume changes in the upper Jordan river and its tributaries as a result of cloud seeding. APPROACH: The first stage of the project will include the construction of updated homogeneous flow series in the drainage basin of Lake Kinneret, by collecting, processing and inclusion of data on water consumption in the system. The second stage will include collection of additional annual rainfall data, completion of missing rainfall data by means of linear regression, and construction of an updated rainfall series for each of the relevant regions. This stage will also include calibration of a daily hydrometeorological model for the periods prior to operational seeding and after it, aimed at detecting changes in parameters which may be attributed to cloud seeding. Finally, statistical methods will be used to obtain a comparison between the changes in the series of flow and those in the series of rainfall. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAMES: a) Ehud Simon, b) Arie Ben-Zvi ADDRESS: a) TAHAL ltd, 54 Ibn Gvirol str. Tel-Aviv b) Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063 TELEPHONE: a) 972-3-6924434 b) 972-2-384403 TELEFAX: a) 972-3-6969969 b) 972-2 - 388704 EMAIL: TITLE: Qualitative-quantitative assessment of the heterogeneity of the coastal aquifer in Israel PROBLEM: The lithology and structure of the coastal aquifer in Israel are highly heterogeneous which results in a complex flow pattern. Hence, the need for an adequate quantitative characterization of heterogeneity as a precondition for rational operation of this important aquifer. OBJECTIVES: To map the hydrogeological heterogeneity of the aquifer on the basis of information derived from lithological and water head data. APPROACH: Use of lithologic well log data, water level data and point data from pump tests for a first level assessment of the field of transmissivity. The methodology is based on the use of variational methods which are practiced in the oil exploration industry. BEGINNING DATE: 1.1.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Anatoli Krupnik ADDRESS: Desert Research Institute, Ben Gurion University in the Negev, Sede Boker Campus 84990 TELEPHONE: 972-7-565746 TELEFAX: 972-7-577042 EMAIL: TITLE: Information system for planning the water economy of Israel PROBLEM: The planning of a water-related project requires a multitude of different, yet interrelated, data categories. At present these data are scattered in different places, stored in different ways and formats, and often inaccessible. OBJECTIVES: To build a national data base to meet the planning needs of Israel’s water economy, and to enable an easy and convenient access to data. APPROACH: Survey of data requirements, identification of permanent data sources, and arrangement of procedures for a regular transfer of data from the sources to the data base. BEGINNING DATE: 1.8.1994 ENDING DATE: 31.8.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS: A relational Data Base of ACESS has been established. At this stage it allows an easy retrieval of raw data which have been collected from various governmental and public agencies on the basis of established procedures. The next step in the development of the system includes the creation of links between its components. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Itiel Pinker ADDRESS: Water Commission, Planning Department, 98 Petach Tikva Rd, Tel Aviv TELEPHONE: 972-3-6971884 TELEFAX: 972-3-5610165 EMAIL: itiel@netvision.net.il TITLE: Identification of the salinization sources of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer PROBLEM: The salinity of the water in the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer is highly variable in space both horizontally and vertically. Moreover, certain parts of the aquifer show a trend of increasing salinity. A correct identification of contamination sources can assist in guiding the policies of groundwater exploitation and treatment. The problem becomes complicated when the ratios between concentrations of the major ions become close to those of seawater. These ratios cannot distinguish between currently invading seawater and ancient seawater which has saturated the rock in the geological past and is currently leached out by its replenishment. OBJECTIVES: Development of new geochemical criteria for identifying the sources of pollution of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer which will enable to distinguish between salinization by present seawater and salinization by seawater which was contained by the rocks of the aquifer in ancient geological periods. APPROACH: The main idea of the project is to test whether selected trace elements can serve as indicators for distinguishing between old and new seawater. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.10.1998 CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULT: A preliminary investigation which involved chemical analyses of water from wells between the recharge area end the Rosh-Haayin spring has shown that according to the Na/CL ratio, the well water is a mixture of fresh water with seawater. But, the ratios of the trace elements Li and Sr to Chloride indicate that the source of salt is an evaporated brine of old seawater which is leached out from the aquifer by the replenishment. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Amitai Katz ADDRESS: Earth Science Institute, Hebrew University, Givat-Ram campus, Jerusalem 91904 TELEPHONE: 972-2-6584620 TELEFAX: 972-2-6514805 EMAIL: TITLE: Regional monitoring of pollutant movement in the sediments of the unsaturated zone above the coastal aquifer PROBLEM: Groundwater monitoring does not detect pollutants before they reach groundwater table. OBJECTIVE: Organization of a regional system for monitoring the movement of pollutants in the unsaturated zone above the coastal aquifer APPROACH: Use existing large diameter wells with insulated walls as monitoring wells, drilling of horizontal holes through the walls into the unsaturated sediments at different depths above the water table and placement of porous cup samplers therein. Sediment samples obtained during drilling will be analyzed for water content and for concentration of dissolved and adsorbed pollutants. Chemical and microbial analyses of samples taken from the porous cup samplers at chosen time intervals will enable to follow up the movement of pollutants towards the groundwater table and to estimate its anticipated effect on groundwater pollution as time goes on. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.3.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: Prospect of extension for two more years CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The survey of existing large diameter wells has been completed. The first experimental monitoring well was chosen and equipped. A report on the first analyses was published. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Michael Zilberbrand ADDRESS: Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-2-381101 TELEFAX: 972-2-388704 EMAIL: TITLE: Report on the water balance of Israel PROBLEM: Planning and management of the water economy of Israel requires processed hydrologic information on the yield and available supply of the water sources OBJECTIVES: Construction of a computerized user-friendly system for the provision of easily accessible and updated information on the water balance and exploitable yield of Israel’s water sources APPROACH: Building of a data base and development of an object oriented package of programmes containing the following objects and classes: Windows, menus and communication with the user; Computerized maps of the relevant geographic, administrative and hydrologic planning units; Property sheets of the water balance units; Computerized tables of the water balance and exploitable yield ; Graphic display accessories; Help and users guide. BEGINNING DATE: 15.10.1994 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1996 INTERIM RESULTS: The system is already operational and undergoing final adjustments PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: a) Jacob Bear b)Jacob Bensabat ADDRESS: a) Technion, Civil Engineering, Technion City, Haifa 32000 b) E.W.R.E., P.O.Box 6770, Haifa 31067 TELEPHONE: a) 972-4-292290 b) 972-4-8256043 TELEFAX: a) 972-4-8228898 b) 972-4-8256039 EMAIL: b) jbensabat@ewre.com TITLE: Interrelations between inorganic pollutants (nutrients, bromide, boron and fluoride) and salinity in the coastal aquifer: geochemical characterization of pollution processes PROBLEM: Protection of Israel’s water resources against pollution requires an early identification of the sources of pollution. The problem is of particular importance in the coastal plain where the quality of the groundwater is in a state of continuous degradation. OBJECTIVES: Determination of chemical collections as indicators of anthropogenic sources of groundwater pollution APPROACH: Selection of regions with a history of groundwater salinization and pollution. Chemical analyses of bromide, boron, fluoride and of the major ions in the groundwater along with chemical analyses of anthropogenic “end-members” (such as raw sewage, effluents, fertilizer leachates). Combination with isotopic data of boron and with hydrogeologic data to analyze relationships and to evaluate the specific contribution of each source. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.96 ENDING DATE: 1.2.97 COMMENTS ON DATES: Prospect of extension to 31.3.1999 CURRENT PROGRESS AND INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Avraham Starinsky ADDRESS: Division of Geology, Hebrew University, Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem TELEPHONE: 972-2-6584885 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: Location of groundwater flow systems in the areas of the Dead Sea springs by geophysical methods PROBLEM: Lack of local water sources to meet the demand along the Dead Sea shore OBJECTIVES: Spotting and recognition of the aquifers which feed the Dead Sea springs. Location of deep aquifers which discharge their waters directly to the Dead Sea below the springs and examination of their exploitable yield and water quality APPROACH: Use of a detailed geophysical survey by the TDEM technique as a supplement to earlier TDEM and NMR surveys; drilling of dual purpose, research and observation, wells for investigating the hydrogeological systems and for validating the geophysical findings; observations of well water levels and water quality; estimation of direct discharge to the Dead Sea. BEGINNING DATE: 1.4.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.3.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: A report on the findings of the previous geophysical surveys is ready for submission to the Water Commission of Israel PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dror Gilad ADDRESS: Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063, Israel TELEPHONE: 972-2-381101 TELEFAX: 972-2-388704 EMAIL: TITLE: New hydrogeological-hydrochemical model of the Arava PROBLEM: Regional water supply problems, as well as processes of groundwater salinization, call for a revision of the groundwater potential in the Arava. OBJECTIVES: Formulation of an updated model of the groundwater system in the Arava as a regional collector and mixer of water from different neighboring regions. APPROACH: Reexamination of the accumulated hydrogeological, hydrochemical and isotopic information and establishment of a regional groundwater-related data base; Execution of a simultaneous sampling operation; Review of the available information on the geology of the subsurface in the region and comparison of this information with the findings of the recent geophysical surveys; Testing of correlation between the structural findings and the distribution of salinization spots; Check of relationship between the different types of salinization and the structural and hydrogeological-hydrochemical properties of the aquifers. BEGINNING DATE: 1.6.1995 ENDING DATE: 1.6.1997 CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The hydrochemical survey of the water sources in the southern Arava was completed in 1995. The survey of the northern Arava is being conducted in 1996. The analysis of the sampled waters is nearing completion. Solute balances were used to reconstruct the development of groundwater chemistry in the Paran and Zofar areas. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Eliyahu Rosenthal ADDRESS: Hydrological Service, P.O.Box 6381, Jerusalem 91063 TELEPHONE: 972-2-384403 TELEFAX: 972-2-388704 EMAIL: TITLE: A hydrogeological model of Lake Kinneret and the regional aquifers PROBLEM: Lake Kinneret delivers 600 million cubic meters of water per annum. In spite of the diverted saline springs around the lake, the salinity of its water is still too high for both agriculture and artificial replenishment of the coastal aquifer. Any strategy for reducing the salinity of the lake requires an understanding of the mechanism of salinization. Previous studies led to the conclusion that the source of salinity are brines. As to the mechanism of salinization two different types of driving forces have been suggested. One theory assumes that a high pressure in deep strata lifts the brines up to the surface of the ground. The other theory suggests that the brines are stagnant, but their salt is washed away by fresh groundwater from surrounding aquifers. The two theories lead to opposite conclusions with respect to the ways of reducing the salinity of the lake. OBJECTIVES: Development of a comprehensive hydrogeologic model which can explain the relationships between the salinity of the lake and its sources. APPROACH: The study will consist of three steps. The first step will include the development of a conceptual model to explain the discharge of salt around the lake and in the rift valley and the relationships between discharge and salinity in the different springs. The next steps will include application of the OILGEN model which has had a widespread and successful use in understanding the behavior of large, heterogeneous and anisotropic hydrogeologic systems. The OILGEN model, which can solve simultaneously the equations of flow, heat transport and transport of solutes, under the conditions of the natural system, will be used in the second step for identifying the patterns of flow and solute transport, and - in the third step - for testing the effectiveness of different strategies in reducing the salinity of the water in the lake. BEGINNING DATE: 1.5.1996 ENDING DATE: 1.5.1998 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Haim Gwirtzman ADDRESS: Hebrew University, Earth Science Institute, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904 TELEPHONE: 972-2-6584912 TELEFAX: 972-2-662581 EMAIL: TITLE: Master plan of Israel’s Water Economy PROBLEM: The growing demand for water under limited supply of the available sources of fresh water, and the continuous degradation of the water quality in the latter, call for an updated master plan of Israel’s water economy for the period of the coming decades. OBJECTIVES: Review the anticipated gap between the demand and supply of water, and propose a plan of water resources development and operation aimed at closing the gap at minimum cost under prescribed constraints on reliability of supply and quality of the water sources. APPROACH: Integrate all possible sources and means of supply within the framework of the National Water System which comprises Lake Kinneret and the major aquifers; expand the use of reclaimed wastewater as an additional source of water wherever feasible, leaving most of the fresh water for domestic use; expand desalination of sea water wherever economically justified; consider options of artificial recharge of the major aquifers combined with improved technologies of upgrading the quality of supplied water as means for achieving both conservation of freshwater sources and regulation of interseasonal and interannual supply. BEGINNING DATE: September 1995 ENDING DATE: December 1996 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: A progress report on a first draft plan has been submitted for review by the Water Commission PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Joshua Schwarz ADDRESS: Tahal-Consulting Engineers ltd, 54 Ibn Gevirol Str., Tel Aviv 61111 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6924515 TELEFAX: 972-6969969 EMAIL: TITLE: Master plan for the management of the coastal groundwater basin PROBLEM: The coastal groundwater basin serves as a major source of fresh water and as subsurface storage reservoir for regulating the short and long-term operation of the national water supply system. The intense urbanization and economic activity in the coastal plain are accompanied by a continuous degradation of the groundwater quality and a depletion of the exploitable yield. The situation may be aggravated by the growing use of effluents in agriculture. OBJECTIVES: Stabilization of the storage and water quality of the coastal aquifer. Preparation of an action plan which coordinates the operation of the coastal aquifer with the regional planning of the coastal plain and with that of the national water supply system. APPROACH: Revise and map the vulnerability of the coastal aquifer to pollution and select drinking water quality conservation zones. Test alternatives of a central collector for transporting municipal effluents from the coastal plain to irrigation plots in the south of the country versus, or combined with, the local use. Review and select areas for reclamation, storage and reuse of wastewater for irrigation in parts of the coastal plain. Establish annual rules for the spatial distribution of pumpage and recharge based on the long-term objectives and on the feedback from the actual state of the groundwater. Establish rules for licensing waste disposal and other activities which may enhance pollution of the aquifer. Perform the planning with readjusted flow and mass transport models and adequate data bases. Prepare terms of reference of projects aimed at a detailed design and implementation of the various plans, and at monitoring the response of the groundwater system. BEGINNING DATE: September 1996 ENDING DATE: December 1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Joshua Schwarz ADDRESS: Tahal- Consulting Engineers ltd, 54 Ibn Gevirol Str., Tel Aviv 61111 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6924515 TELEFAX: 972-6969969 EMAIL TITLE: Remote sensing of effluent quality in wastewater reservoirs and oxidation ponds PROBLEM: Wastewater reservoirs in Israel for effluent storage and reuse are characterized by high bioturbidity. OBJECTIVES: Development of a remote sensing method for monitoring bioturbidity of effluents. APPROACH: Solar energy trapped close to the surfaces of wastewater reservoirs and oxidation ponds induces thermal stratification and warming up of the epilimnia which can be detected remotely using an infrared radiometer. Pilot plant and field studies proved that significant correlations exist between turbidity, chlorophyll content and infrared temperature. Obtained models will serve for developing a remote sensing method for effluent monitoring. BEGINNING DATE: 1995 ENDING DATE: 1996 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Inka Dor ADDRESS: Hebrew University, School of Applied Science, Division of Environmental Sciences, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904 TELEPHONE: 972-2-85554 TELEFAX: 972-2-5635388 EMAIL: TITLE: Groundwater pollution due to preferential flow in the unsaturated zone PROBLEM: Agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers or pesticides, are indispensable in modern agriculture. Fertilizers and pesticides are highly beneficial to the crops being grown, but only as long as they remain in the root zone of the soil. Dissolved chemical transport downward can take place through the main soil bulk or through preferential pathways. Preferred pathways may result from biological and/or geological activity (e.g., macropores, earthworm burrows, channels consisting of highly conductive media) or from farm management practice. The water and chemicals are moving much faster through these pathways and contribute to the pollution of groundwater. A better understanding of the factors affecting the percolation of water and the mobility, extent and nature of chemical transport and biological degradation of solutes is required to improve modeling efforts and management practices. OBJECTIVES: To study and quantify the mechanisms that control the interaction between preferred pathways and the main matrix and their effect on the spatial and temporal distribution of chemicals in the unsaturated zone APPROACH: Formulation of an analytical model which simulates the advective-dispersive transport of a solute through a vertical slit coupled with diffusion through a boundary layer of contact between the slit and the matrix. Effects of density instability are also taken into account. BEGINNING DATE: January 1994 ENDING DATE: October 1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The model was successfully used to predict breakthrough curves in experimental structured blocks and granite cores at Cornell and Wisconsin Universities PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Rony Wallach ADDRESS: Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O.Box 12, Rehovot 76100 TELEPHONE: 972-8-948-1170 TELEFAX: 972-8-9475181 EMAIL: wallach@agri.huji.ac.il TITLE: Modeling the convective chemical transfer from soil solution to surface runoff PROBLEM: Pesticides, nutrients, and other agricultural chemicals transferred from soil to surface runoff water are potentially important pollutants of nearby surface waters OBJECTIVES: Development of a model which quantifies the interaction between the soil solution in the upper part of the soil profile and runoff water flowing over the soil surface as a tool for predicting the release of soil- applied chemicals to surface runoff APPROACH: A physically-based model, rather than a black-box type model, is being developed in order to predict the water discharge and solute concentration at the field outlet. This will serve as a screening model for the usage of different chemicals as well as a prediction model for the pollution induced by different runoff events. BEGINNING DATE: January 1986 ENDING DATE: None COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: The validity of the model has been tested and successfully verified by comparison with experimental works. The results are published in 20 papers in the journals Water Resources Research, Journal of Hydrology and Contaminant Hydrology. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Rony Wallach ADDRESS: Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O.Box 12, Rehovot 76100 TELEPHONE: 972-8-948-1170 TELEFAX: 972-8-9475181 EMAIL: wallach@agri.huji.ac.il TITLE: Development and application of a three dimensional flow and salinity simulation model in the north of the Yarkon-Taninim groundwater basin PROBLEM: The northwestern edge of the Yarkon-Taninim basin is an area where fresh groundwater comes into contact with saline water. The Taninim springs serve as an outlet for a mixture of these waters. There is uncertainty about the source of the saline water and about the mechanism of its movement which may pose a threat to the quality of water pumped from wells in the northern part of the basin. OBJECTIVES: Construction and calibration of a mathematical model which will enable to estimate the relationship between groundwater levels at control points and the risk of salinization of well fields in the north of the Yarkon-Taninim Basin. APPROACH: Setting up of a three dimensional model which fits the structural and stratigraphic features of the basin in the study area and the technical features of the well field, and takes into account the density differences of the two water sources. The model will be calibrated and validated on the basis of historic data. It will then be used to predict the effects of various climatic regimes and pumping patterns on the pumped water quality. BEGINNING DATE: 1.1.1996 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Guttman Joseph ADDRESS: Tahal Co., 54 Ibn Gvirol Str., Tel-Aviv 61111 TELEPHONE: 972-3-6924631 TELEFAX: 972-3-6924758 EMAIL: TITLE: Consolidation of a hydrogeologic model of the Yarkon-Taninim groundwater basin on the basis of updated geologic and geophysical findings PROBLEM: Recent geological and geophysical works enable the closing of information gaps concerning the western boundary of the basin, the presence of hydraulic barriers, the interconnection between aquifers of the basin and the flow pattern. OBJECTIVES: Delineation of the western boundary of the basin, refinement of geologic structures and mapping of lithologic heterogeneities. APPROACH: Data collection, interpretation and analysis. Mapping of geometry, lithofacial changes, geologic structures, intra- and inter-aquifer connections. BEGINNING DATE: 1.11.1995 ENDING DATE: 31.10 1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: Gavriel Weinberger ADDRESS: 39 Merkaz Hanegev Bldg. Beer-Sheva 84548 TELEPHONE: 972-7-495798 TELEFAX: 972-7-480359 EMAIL: TITLE: A study of the environmental protection and the ecological impact aspects of waste water recycling and reuse in the environmentally sensitive transboundary mountain aquifer areas shared by Israelis and Palestinians PROBLEM: The recycling and reuse of wastewater can serve for the Israelis and Palestinians as the main sustainable source of water for agricultural development based on the estimated population growth over a period of 30 years. However, wastewater recycling and reuse carries with it numerous potential environmental health, ecological and environmental pollution risks which must be carefully assayed and evaluated in the planning and the development of a reuse program. Serious problems of groundwater pollution by wastewater borne chemicals or pathogens microorganisms may result from improperly controlled wastewater recycling and reuse. This is particularly so in the highly permeable, pollution prone, recharge areas of the karstic, limestone/ dolomite mountain aquifer which is the main transboundary water source shared by Israelis and Palestinians. OBJECTIVES: Preparation of an ecological impact assessment and an environmental monitoring and control program on the environmental aspects of wastewater recycling and reuse in the transboundary mountain areas shared by Israelis and Palestinians. Suggestion of environmental standards and guidelines as well as a legal and administrative framework for joint environmental management and control. APPROACH: Conduction of studies by joint interdisciplinary teams on the various topics of the project. Holding of a series of joint Israeli-Palestinian academic workshops on the subject of the project at various stages; to report on progress and concepts developed, and to receive feedback from academic, technical and administrative authorities from both sides; and, with the help of international experts, to serve as training programs for technical and policy making staff. The project is planned to be carried out in two phases. The tasks of the first, 3 year long, phase include field survey and mapping of current pollution sources; survey of environmentally sensitive areas; development of relevant hydrological and environmental data bases; development and calibration of relevant groundwater pollution models; environmental monitoring for follow- up and model validation; estimation of wastewater supply and of demand for wastewater recycling up to year 2025, and development of reuse guidelines and options. The tasks of the second phase will include the preparation of preliminary engineering layouts for a master plan of a wastewater recycling and reuse system; an economic analysis of costs and benefits of a wastewater recycling and reuse program; preparation of preliminary proposals of legal and administrative models for the joint management and environmental control of the program, and development of a sustainable joint Israeli-Palestinian environmental monitoring and control system. The following dates pertain to the first phase of the project. BEGINNING DATE: 1.1.1995 ENDING DATE: 31.12.1997 COMMENTS ON DATES: CURRENT PROGRESS AND INTERIM RESULTS: The following tasks are nearing completion: field survey and mapping of land-use and current pollution sources; survey of environmentally sensitive areas and development of relevant hydrological and environmental data bases PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME: (1) Hillel Shuval; (2) Jad Isaac ADDRESS: (1) Hebrew University, Division of Environmental Sciences, School of Applied Science, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904; (2) Palestine Consultancy Group, Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem-Arij-Bethlehem TELEPHONE: (1) 972-2-6584151; (2) 972-2-281822 TELEFAX: (1) 972-2-741889; (2) 972-2-741889 EMAIL: