International conference on a new strategy for the management of water resources

“Access to Water as One of the Core Drivers Behind the Conflict in the Middle East”

Athens 1 April 2005

By:

ABDEL RAHMAN TAMIMI PhDDirector of Palestinian Hydrology Group for water and environmental resources development

Palestinian National Water CouncilPalestine

Water and Peace in the RegionWater and Peace in the Region

IntroductionIntroduction

Water is one of the most complicated and conflict-causing issues Water is one of the most complicated and conflict-causing issues between Palestinians and Israelis.between Palestinians and Israelis.

In Oslo II Negotiations it was decided that the water issue - amongst In Oslo II Negotiations it was decided that the water issue - amongst others - will be delayed to the final status negotiations.others - will be delayed to the final status negotiations.

While 90% of the total recharge of the mountain aquifer originates in While 90% of the total recharge of the mountain aquifer originates in the WB, Israel is utilizing 83% of this recharge.the WB, Israel is utilizing 83% of this recharge.

BackgroundBackground

During the past 37 years of Israeli occupation to the WB & GS, During the past 37 years of Israeli occupation to the WB & GS, Israel has:Israel has:

Totally controlled the surface and groundwater resourcesTotally controlled the surface and groundwater resources

Severely restricted the development of Palestinian water Severely restricted the development of Palestinian water resourcesresources

Continued to utilize and exploit the shared water resources in Continued to utilize and exploit the shared water resources in the WB for the use of Israeli settlementsthe WB for the use of Israeli settlements

Caused severe damage in quantity and quality to Palestinian Caused severe damage in quantity and quality to Palestinian water resources water resources

Created serious environmental and socio - economic problems Created serious environmental and socio - economic problems

Basin Water Shares

(Eastern, Northeastern and Western)

Israeli Water Control Inside the West Bank

18%

Palestinian Water Control

15%

Israeli Water Control

Outside the West Bank

67%

Source:SUSMAQ

Utilization of the Jordan River (in %)

(7% is the outlet to the Dead Sea) = Remaining ) Source:SUSMAQ

Jordan River Utilization (Percentages)

Israel58.7%

Lebanon0.3%

Syria11.0%

Palestine0.0%

Remaining6.6% Jordan

23.4%

Article 40

Article 40 of Oslo II agreement, September 95, is the base for Water Sector Planning and development in the WB during the interim period until final agreement is reached.

The agreement recognized Palestinian water rights, future water needs and laid the base for mutual cooperation.

On the other hand the agreement has many flaws: it does not define Palestinian water rights and it contains restrictions to the development of Palestinian water sources in the West Bank.

Facts and Figures / 1Facts and Figures / 1 Served and Non-served Communities in the West Bank Served and Non-served Communities in the West Bank

142 Partially Served

Partially

Served

214 Mostly

214 Mostly Served 281

Un-Served

Number of Communities

in the West Bank

637

Served

356

non--served

281

(60%) Mostly

Served

356

(40%) Partially

Served

356

281 Non-Served

Facts and Figures / 2Facts and Figures / 2

Water Shortage Water Shortage

Average consumption per capita is 60 liters: < WHO Average consumption per capita is 60 liters: < WHO standards of 150 l/c/dstandards of 150 l/c/d

In some areas < 20 l/c/dIn some areas < 20 l/c/d

68% of the Population consume < 60 l/c/d.68% of the Population consume < 60 l/c/d.

High percentage of losses in water supply systems (up High percentage of losses in water supply systems (up to 46%)to 46%)

Facts and Figures / 3Facts and Figures / 3lack of Water Supply Facilitieslack of Water Supply Facilities

40% of Palestinian communities lack proper services related to water 40% of Palestinian communities lack proper services related to water supply.supply.

25% of West Bank population lack networks and have no access to 25% of West Bank population lack networks and have no access to clean and safe water.clean and safe water.

People are obliged to buy water from tankers at more than 4 times the People are obliged to buy water from tankers at more than 4 times the average cost.average cost.

Most of the communities that lack clean water are located near springs Most of the communities that lack clean water are located near springs which dried up due to over pumping by the Israelis.which dried up due to over pumping by the Israelis.

Infrastructure is needed to supply these communities with water.Infrastructure is needed to supply these communities with water.

Forms ofForms of Israeli Violations Israeli Violations

Building the “Israeli SecurityBuilding the “Israeli Security Wall” Wall” hinders hinders Palestinians from operating and utilizingPalestinians from operating and utilizing wells and wells and land west of the wall land west of the wall

Drilling hundreds of wellsDrilling hundreds of wells in Israel adjacent to the in Israel adjacent to the border lineborder line

Intercepting Wadi GazaIntercepting Wadi Gaza which originates in the WB which originates in the WB

Diversion of water from River Jordan Diversion of water from River Jordan

Denying Palestinians accessDenying Palestinians access to two main aquifers to two main aquifers

Effects of the WallEffects of the Wall on Water Resourceson Water Resources

Consequences of the wall on Palestinian water resources:Consequences of the wall on Palestinian water resources:

Maintaining Israel’s continuous abstraction of more than 400 Mcm/yMaintaining Israel’s continuous abstraction of more than 400 Mcm/y

Deporting Palestinians from the most important basin areas. More Deporting Palestinians from the most important basin areas. More than 326000 people are affected by thisthan 326000 people are affected by this

Controlling more than 40 Palestinian productive wellsControlling more than 40 Palestinian productive wells

Controlling the development / drilling of wells Controlling the development / drilling of wells

Creating a new de facto situationCreating a new de facto situation

Maintaining Palestinian water needs subject to Israeli decisionsMaintaining Palestinian water needs subject to Israeli decisions

Confiscating more land. The wall will eat up 15% of WB land.Confiscating more land. The wall will eat up 15% of WB land.

• Over-pumping will cause a decline in Over-pumping will cause a decline in water levels, which will cause wells and water levels, which will cause wells and springs to go dry.springs to go dry.

• The Israeli network of wells around the The Israeli network of wells around the Palestinian borders is causing severe Palestinian borders is causing severe quantity and quality problems to water quantity and quality problems to water resources.resources.

Milking the water of Milking the water of West Bank aquifersWest Bank aquifers

Source:SUSMAQ

The Israeli National Water Carrier conveys about 440 Mcm/yr.

 A total of 80 to 170 Mcm/yr is used to recharge the Coastal and Western aquifers.

 The Jordan River has become a dumping site. The low flow of the River caused the Dead Sea to shrink.

 Source:SUSMAQ

ISRAELI NATIONAL WATER CARRIER

The very low flow of the Jordan River caused the shrinking of the Dead Sea. This created a serious ecological, environmental and economic problem

Source:SUSMAQ

Shrinking of the Dead Sea

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Ch

lori

de (

mg

/l)

World Health Organisation Drinking Water Standard for Chlorides = 250 mg/l

WHO drinking water standard for chloride is 250 mg/l Source:SUSMAQ

Chloride levels in Gaza Strip Wells

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

A-3

2

A-1

80

A-1

85

D-2

0

D-6

0

D-6

1

D-6

7

D-6

8

D-6

9

D-7

0

E-4

E-1

1A

E-1

1B

E-1

1C

E-2

5B

E-9

0

E-9

2

E-1

38

E-1

56

E-1

54

E-1

57

Q-4

0B

R-2

5A

R-2

5C

R-2

5D

R-7

4

R-1

12

R-1

62B

R-1

62G

R-1

62H

R-1

62L

R-2

54

Rcn

new

J-13

2

J-14

6

L-14

L-43

L-86

L-87

L-12

7

L-15

9

L-17

6

L-17

9

M-2

A

M-2

B

N-9

N-2

2

P-1

0

P-1

5

P-1

24

P-1

39

Nit

rate

(m

g/l)

L-87=952 mg/lWorld Health Organisation Drinking Water Standard for Nitrates = 50 mg/l

For Nitrate, only a few scattered wells meet the WHO drinking water standard of 50 mg/l. Source:SUSMAQ

Nitrate levels in Gaza Strip Wells

Forms of Cooperation in the Water Sector Before and After Oslo II:

• Provision of water supplies from one party to the other

• In crisis conditions, Palestinian communities shared their limited water supplies with Israeli settlements in the WB

• Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian companies were invited to participate in large tenders

• Information exchange and sharing

• Participation in research and studies as part of Bilateral and / or Multilateral activities

• Cooperation in activities leading to pollution prevention

• Participation in JWC meetings and implementing the decisions hereof.

Is there a need for further cooperation

in the future?

Yes, cooperation between both parties was and still is a necessity for:

• Building strong walls of confidence

• Implementing Article 40 agreement

• Maintaining adequate water services

• Protecting water resources

• Effectively Managing shared water resources

• Preparing for the final status negotiations

• Identifying mutual opportunities for development and investment including socio- economic ones.

The Role of Media and international community

IC provides wide coverage of the political and military aspects relating to the Middle East Conflict.

However, not much attention was given to the water issue that affects the life and existence of the Palestinian people .

Conflict over water resources may cause wars. cooperation in this sphere will no doubt lead to peace and prosperity for the two peoples.

Questions that need to be answered

In the context of the water conflict over the shared water resources in the area, the following three questions are raised:

• Have IC given the human and social complications resulting from the ongoing conflict the importance they deserve?

• Can the IC in alleviating the hardships Palestinians undergo day after day?

• Little was achieved by using the traditional political tools in solving the water conflict. How can IC playS a role in building confidence between the parties?

Conclusion

This distinguished forum is requested to envisage new avenues for narrowing the gap between the two parties through thorough investigations, building on successful experiences and taking advantage of available opportunities in order to overcome challenges and barriers.

Succeeding to do so will make the political solution more attainable. It will also improve the life conditions of the Palestinian people until a final negotiated solution is reached.