Diego Mayo Martínez.- Water security is gaining importance worldwide. If we talk about the Middle East region the Palestinian territory deserves special attention. Solutions must come, but which is the more realistic format? This articles’ aim is to provide an idea of what can be done in relation to water security.
Different authors have defined this concept in close connection with food security matters: “The availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods, ecosystems and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risks to people, environments and economies” (Grey and Sandoff, 2007).
On such an approach, water security is based on different indicators, like the balance of availability and demand, the use of water availability, the access to clean water and sanitation services and the reliability on cross-boarders sources. In view of that, research developments have focused on the potential capacity of water management and water availability under the umbrella of different political scenarios. As such, it was suggested first to look at the current state of occupation and closures, second to consolidate a state when peace process moves on and finally at an independent state of Palestine.
Every scenario suggests implementing measures to educate farmers and water consumers, in order to have the necessary knowledge and awareness about the water situation. Hence, the implementation of the water saving techniques and the awareness of water saving is principal. As a result it has been estimated to save as much as 20% and 25% through education and water practices respectively. As well, the three scenarios are considered to implement the reuse of water for irrigation, thus augmenting the water uses up to 70 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) every year.
In the situation of the peace process moving on, specifically under the article 40 in Oslo Agreement, Palestinians would be entitled to extract an additional 70-80 MCM per year from the current groundwater. Overwhelmingly, under the situation of Palestinian independency, they would be able to extract up to 679 MCM every year from the aquifers and 250 MCM from the shares of the Jordan River. These are tremendous amounts of water compared to the current situation.
Once you analyze in depth every proposed hypothetic scenario, it becomes evident that the Independent State of Palestine would be the best option for Palestinian interests. Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely to happen in a short term. For that reason, the importance of this article is to stress the facts that could work under the current situation.
As a matter of fact, farmers’ and water consumers’ education constitute the first step into water savings. If it is possible to save those previously mentioned percentages only by giving them the necessary knowledge, it would become of great importance to put effort in order to get it started. Once the decision-makers agree upon this proposal, the implementation of education should follow, leading the Palestinians to realistic measures against water scarcity. Moreover, the reuse of sewage for agricultural purposes should further continue, thus, implementing those abovementioned suggestions.
Nevertheless, Israel is expected not to agree upon the shares of water from the Jordan River, neither the aquifers. It is clear that Israel would not let the Palestinian take control over these resources. Consequently, it is better to think about those possible situations rather than building castles in the air.
References:
- Marwan Haddad, Anan Jayousi and Salam Abu Hantash (2008). Evaluation water management options for more food security in Palestine.
- David B. Brooks. Between the greater rivers: Water in the Middle East an North Africa.
- Mark Zeitoun (2011). The “Web” of Water Security: Audits and Environmental Diplomacy.
- Jan Selby (2005). The Geopolitics of Water in the Middle East: fantasies and realities.
