Desalination – the Solution to Water Scarcity in Israel, Jordan and Palestine?

Desalination – the solution to water scarcity in Israel, Jordan and Palestine?

Water scarcity is recognized as a major threat to the future of Israel, Jordan and Palestine.

It has long been appreciated that desalination of sea water represents a possible solution to the water problems of the three countries. This Fact Sheet sets out the basic facts about desalination in the region and attempts to assess the pros and cons of its use on a large scale.

Desalination in Israel Until the nineteen nineties, desalination in Israel was limited to small brackish water desalination plants serving remote settlements, not reached by the national water supply grid and a single small plant in Eilat. The need for seawater desalination on a large scale was not seriously considered since fresh water was being provided by the transport of Sea of Galilee water via the National Water Carrier (NWC). This fresh water supply expanded utilization of local aquifers, effected distribution of blended surface and ground waters to all customers through regional grids, and increased agricultural water use efficiency and the partial shifting of agricultural irrigation to recycled wastewater ( Dreizin et al, 2008, p. 133) However in the last decade of the twentieth century, attitudes changed as it became clear that existing fresh water resources, however well managed, would not be sufficient to meet increasing demand.

The fact that the costs of desalination were progressively reduced by developments in technology was also a key factor in making desalination a realistic option.

As a result:

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The Israeli National Water Plan and Desalination Master Plan (DMP) adopted in 1997 and updated periodically, allowed for large scale desalination. In March 1999 the Israeli Water Commission (now the Water Authority) proposed large-scale seawater desalination as part of a wide range of new water projects for inclusion in the national budget.

The Water Authority proposed that there should be an increase of desalination sufficient to provide 315 million /year (about 17% of total potable water) by 2010. By 2020 this is expected to rise to 650 million / year (30% of total potable water) ( Dreizin, 2008, p. 132).

In the period from 2000 to 2007 Israel has completed two large Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants in operation: Ashkelon (operating since 2005, output of 100/120 million /year) and Palmachim: (operating since May 2007, output of 30 million /year) ( Dreizin, 2008, p. 147, 132).

Construction is in process at a plant in Hadera which will produce 100 million /year when it is completed in 2009. In pre-tendering phases are a plant to produce 45 million /year in Ashdod and the expansion of existing plants to add capacity of 40 million /year ( Dreizin, 2008, p. 147).

In long term planning is an additional plant (Shafdan) to be completed by 2015 which will produced 100 million /year while expansion of existing plants in the period 2110 to 2200 will add capacity of 85 million /year.

Current and programmed desalinated water capacity (Dreizin, 2008, p. 148)

Plant location

Plant capacity – million / year 2007

2010

2015

Ashkelon

100

100

100

Palmachim

30

30

30

Hadera

100

100

Ashdod

45

45

Schafdan

100

To be bid

Total

50

40

125

315

500

Desalination in Jordan Jordan is one of the 10 most water deprived countries in the world with one of the lowest levels of water resources per capita. The annual per capita share from water resources in Jordan is about 150which is far below the generally accepted per capita water poverty line of 1000per annum.

Demand has increased rapidly with rapid increases in population (5.3 million in 2003 and growing at a very high annual rate of 3.6%) and agricultural and industrial development which have placed heavy demands on water resources.

With Jordan’s population expected to continue to rise, the gap between water supply and demand threatens to widen significantly such that by 2025, if current trends continue Jordan could be in the category of having an absolute water shortage. Water use exceeds renewable supply and the deficit is covered by the unsustainable practice of overdrawing the groundwater aquifers well above their sustainable yield, resulting in lower water tables and declining water quality (increased salinity).

Existing aquifers are being depleted at a rapid rate, water rationing is a fact of life for most Jordanians and the cost of supplying water continues to rise. The agreement reached with Israel which enables Jordan to receive 50 a year is helpful but can only ameliorate the crisis.

Extreme water scarcity is the single most important natural constraint to Jordan’s economic growth and development. Jordan shares most of its surface water resources with neighboring countries –

whose influence has sometimes deprived Jordan of its fair share of water. (Mohsen, 2007, p. 27-30, 43; Abu Qdais, 2007, p. 17).

As a result of the situation described above, Jordan is examining the potential for increased desalination, especially through the Red-Dead conduit scheme (see below). (Mohsen, 2007, p. 27).

The current situation with regard to desalination is: 

A few small seawater desalination plants have been built on the shore of the Red Sea and are used for industrial purposes. The desalination of seawater has been very limited because Jordan’s only access to the sea is the short shoreline in the Gulf of Aqaba. This is an unlimited resource of water but is far away from, and at a lower elevation than, the main population and production centers. (Mohsen, 2007, p. 37-40).  Desalination of brackish water is also limited although there is some scope for this as Jordan has considerable brackish water reserves. However, the few plants built so far are small and for commercial/ industrial or agricultural use (Mohsen, 2007, p. 37, 39, ft. 29).

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Desalination of seawater and brackish water was adopted by the Jordanian Ministry for Water and Irrigation (MWI) in 1997 as part of the water development plans to meet growing water demand.

A major option for seawater desalination is the construction of a Red-Dead Sea conveyor taking seawater from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Dead Sea. This could restore the Dead Sea to its natural level and provide the opportunity for a very large scale seawater desalination plant which could have a capacity to produce 850 mcm of potable water (see below).

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Desalination in Palestine All of Palestine suffers from water scarcity. Existing water resources are insufficient to meet current demand, let alone cope with potential needs. In Gaza, where the coastal aquifer is both overpumped and polluted, the situation is particularly serious. In these circumstances, desalination is particularly important both in the short and long-term, especially in the Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip a population of 1.5 million lives on top of an aquifer which is now completely insufficient and heavily polluted as a result of over abstraction, seawater intrusion and wastewater discharge. This aquifer was sufficient for the needs of the area fifty years ago, and readily accessible by means of shallow wells. (Al-Agha, Mortaja, 2005, p. 161; El Sheikh et. Al. 2003, p. 41 ) It is estimated that 90% of the groundwater is unfit for drinking as a result of contamination ( Al-Agha, Mortaja, 2004, p. 157). In most parts of the Gaza Strip, the chloride and nitrate content of domestic water exceeds WHO guidelines (Al-Agha, Mortaja, 2005, p. 159). In these circumstances desalination is a valuable, and one of the most promising options.