This book is the result of a joint research effort led by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and involving the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the Palestine Health Council. It discusses opportunities for enhancement of water supplies and avoidance of overexploitation of water resources in the Middle East. Based on the concept that ecosystem goods and services are essential to maintaining water quality and quantity, the book emphasizes conservation, improved use of current technologies, and water management approaches that are compatible with environmental quality.

Contents

• Committee on Sustainable Water Supplies for the Middle East
• Israel Academy Of Sciences And Humanities
• Palestine Academy For Science And Technology
• Royal Scientific Society, Jordan
• U.S. National Academy Of Sciences
• Acknowledgments
• Reviewers
• Preface
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction and Background
  • Water Agreements
  • Role of the Sponsoring Organizations
  • Water, Socioeconomic Development, and Sustainability
  • Sustainability, Intergenerational Equity, and Freshwater Resources in the Middle East
  • Water Quality, Water Quantity, and Ecosystem Services
  • The Committee's Approach to the Present Study
  • References
• 2. The Study Area and Patterns of Water Use
  • Population and Economy
  • Landscapes
  • Climate
  • Hydrology
  • Water Use
  • The Importance of Hydrologic Relationships in the Study Area
  • Recommendations
  • References
• 3. Factors Affecting Patterns of Water Use
  • Projected Supply-Demand Disparities and Water Resources Planning
  • Factors that Affect Water Use
  • Criteria for Selecting among Water Use Management Options
  • References
• 4. Water and the Environment
  • Ecosystem Services
  • Biological Diversity
  • Environmental Costs of Water-Resource Development
  • Mitigation
  • Recommendations
  • References
• 5. Options for the Future: Balancing Water Demand and Water Resources
  • Managing Demand
  • Augmenting Available Supplies
  • Conclusions
  • References
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A Excerpts from the Treaty of Peace Between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan October 26, 1994
  • Appendix B Excerpts from the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip September 28, 1995
  • Appendix C Effects of Water Use on Biodiversity in the Study Area
  • Appendix D Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Rivers
  • Appendix E Bibliography
  • Appendix F List of Meeting Places and Dates
  • Appendix G Committee on Sustainable Water Supplies for the Middle East Biographical Sketches

This study was supported by the Casey Program Fund and the Arthur Day Program Fund of the U.S. National Research Council Fund. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organization that provided support for this project.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council and by competent authorities of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, and the Palestine Academy for Science and Technology. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.