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Water Policy in Israel

Water Policy in Israel. Adaptation to Climate and Regional Change By Oren Bukspan EOS 406 – Spring 2014. Effects of Climate Change. Precipitation levels dropping in the Levant Accompanied by surface temperature increase Less aquifer recharge – Upper Jordan River

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Water Policy in Israel

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  1. Water Policy in Israel Adaptation to Climate and Regional Change By Oren Bukspan EOS 406 – Spring 2014

  2. Effects of Climate Change • Precipitation levels dropping in the Levant • Accompanied by surface temperature increase • Less aquifer recharge – Upper Jordan River • Coastal aquifer – seawater intrusion • Land quality – decrease in suitability for cultivation • Changing temperatures, changing crops? • Temperature and water supply

  3. Structure in Israel • Israel’s economics approach to water • Sells water for residential, industrial, agricultural • Three separate ministries involved: • National Infrastructures, Energy, and Water Resources • Environmental Protection • Health • Water Authority National Infrastructures • Recent history of unprecedented drought • Upper and Lower Red, Black Lines

  4. Goals & Recommendations • Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) • Combines equity, economy, sustainability • Combine responsibilities and reach of ministries • Eliminate water subsidies to industry, agriculture • With desalination, water production costs are rising • $0.60 – $0.80 vs. $0.15 – $0.45 • Diversification: virtual/gray/treated-waste water?

  5. Prior Attempts • Water Authority campaigns to reduce consumption • Distribution of “water discharge regulators” • Easy to install, save water by reducing flow • Residential economic disincentives • Technology: modern drip irrigation

  6. Challenges & Setbacks • Desalination is a success: are we done? • “As of early 2013…the Water Authority feels it can say with confidence that Israel has beaten the drought.” • “There’s no water problem because of the desalination…the problem is no longer on the agenda.” • Population growth – subsidies for large families • Has irreversible damage already been done? • Or: how much change will be enough? • Sea of Galilee, Aquifer Recharge, Seawater Intrusion

  7. Questions?

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