Israel and Jordan Launch Global Campaign to Save the Dead Sea
The Red-Dead Sea "Peace Conduit" (RSDSC)
Ministry of Regional Cooperation
August 2002
The Dead Sea Basin is threatened by environmental degradation. The continual decline of the sea level has created an ecological imbalance on both land and sea that can destroy natural habitats and cause the loss of this unique natural resource.
As the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea Basin is a unique eco-system housing both natural and historic treasures, important to the entire world. The region's cultural heritage profile is practically unparalleled. The biblical Sodom and Gomorrah, Mt. Nebo and Madaba grace the Dead Sea's shores, which also served as the cradle of early Christianity; and capital of ancient Moab. Its ecological profile is no less illustrious, bringing together spectacular landscapes, vast mineral riches, and important habitats for indigenous wildlife and migrating birds.
Environmental Degradation of the Dead Sea
The future Dead Sea Basin is in grave danger. In less than 50 years the level of the Dead Sea has declined from 395 meters below sea level to 410 below. This decline has precipitated other environmental changes that are leading to rapid deterioration both on sea and shore. Changes in the ecological balance of this fragile eco-system are causing deterioration of oases and wetlands. "Sink holes" that appear to be linked with the Dead Sea's decline threaten both the lives and livelihoods of the people residing and working in the Dead Sea Basin.
The Dead Sea must be saved and international cooperation alone can save it. The decline of the Dead Sea was accelerated in large part because of the dire need for drinking water for the people of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Diversion of the Jordan River in both Israel and Jordan has curtailed a large part of the historic inflow of fresh water to the Dead Sea. The demand for fresh water continues to grow and it is impossible to turn back the clock. Moreover, wise water management is not sufficient to address the problems. Solutions outside the Jordan River basin must be sought. They must be large scale and comprehensive.
The Red Sea-Dead Sea Peace Conduit
The Red Sea-Dead Sea "Peace Conduit" (RSDSC) is a water conveyance system designed to bring water from the Red Sea to Dead Sea. This project provides perhaps the only means to preserve the Dead Sea. In addition, the Conduit can enhance the overall supply of drinking water in this parched region by supplying feed water for sustainable seawater desalination at the Dead Sea. Renewable hydro-static energy rather than fossil fuels will be used to power the desalination plants.
Accordingly, the Peace Conduit, is favored as the most suitable alternative to address two issues of sustainable development:
- Sufficient quantities of water can be returned to the Dead Sea in order to preserve or restore it to historical levels. This can serve to improve the overall environmental profile of the Dead Sea, protect cultural heritage and prevent further social marginalization of this region through job creation the facilitation of economic enterprises.
- Significant quantities of high-quality desalinated water can be produced for urban and/or agricultural use. This new source of water can be piped to population centers in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel have joined forces to bring international attention to the environmental jeopardy facing the Dead Sea Basin and to promote the "Peace Conduit" as a viable solution that can save the Dead Sea from further degradation.
The potential synergies that can be realized through this project are many. In addition to environmental benefits and the improvement of the overall water balance in the Middle East, the Peace Conduit can lever other regional economic initiatives in tourism, services, trade and industry. Moreover, it can serve as a vehicle for building peace and regional cooperation that benefits all riparian parties.
The consequences of inaction, on the other hand are grave. The entire world stands to lose from the impending ruin of the Dead Sea Basin. The sea, ground water resources, wildlife habitats, tourism venues and future economic opportunities are but some of the victims of the basin's demise.
The Need for International Involvement to Save the Dead Sea
According to preliminary estimates, the initial investment in the Red Sea-Dead Sea Peace Conduit comes to $800 million. This sum refers only to the component of conveying water from the Red Sea to Dead Sea. Desalination and additional water works can be financed by the private sector or through public/private sector partnerships. The riparian parties cannot shoulder the heavy financial burden of the Peace Conduit. International involvement is crucial to the success of this important enterprise. Like the world rain forests and Abu Simbul, the Dead Sea is a global asset worthy of international attention and support.
Israel and Jordan's governments have come together to propel the Peace Conduit project forward. An international team of scientists has been formed to construct a dynamic limnological model of the Dead Sea. The two states are working in tandem to mobilize international grants to finance the project that includes completion of a feasibility study and a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment. In addition, the two countries are pursuing private sector investors to encourage participation in the envisioned desalination projects.
The Issue:
- Saving the Dead Sea: In less than 50 years the level of the Dead Sea has declined from -395 meters below sea to -410 meters, causing damages to the entire eco-system of the Dead Sea Basin.
- Increasing rate of deterioration: 80% of this decline has occurred since the 1970's. Current rate of decline is about 1 meter per year.
- Dilemma of water demand: Decline is caused primarily by diversion of historical water supply to address the fresh water demand of the riparian parties in a water-scarce region.
- Need for joint large-scale solution: Small-scale local measures will not be sufficient to preserve the Dead Sea. International cooperation is therefore required to save the Dead Sea.
Background
- The Dead Sea constitutes the lowest point on earth.
- Inflow has decreased from 1,300 MCM/year in the 1930's to approximately 300 MCM/year in 2000.
- In addition to the deterioration of the sea, grave environmental damage has ensued to the land and ground water resources surrounding the Dead Sea.
- Environmental damage is documented in numerous studies.
Recommended Solution
- Most extensive study was conducted in the mid-1990s, within the framework of the JRV Master plan by the Trilateral Economic Committee (Jordan,Israel and U.S) in conjunction with the World Bank and the Italian Government .
- The study concluded that a conduit between the Red and Dead Seas best addresses the mutual combined interests of the riparian parties (Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians at a later stage).
- Economically viable alternative alignments for the conduit were identified.
Importance of Saving the Dead Sea Environment
- Unique status as the lowest place on earth.
- Most saline body of water on earth.
- Unique eco-system housing rare wildlife and endangered species.
- Spectacular landscape with rare attributes.
Importance of Saving the Dead Sea - Cultural Heritage
- Biblical Sodom and Gemorrah
- Roots of Christianity - John the Baptist
- Madaba and Mt. Nebo
- Qumran - The Dead Sea Scrolls
- Masada
- Dhihab - Capital of Moab
- Karak
Importance of Saving the Dead Sea -
Economic Aspects
- Major opportunity for cross-boundary economic cooperation.
- Opportunities to partially address regional water needs.
- Opportunities for sustainable development:
- Huge tourism potential
- Unique medical and health resources
- Mineral products
The Consequences of Inaction
The Dead Sea Basin is in Immediate Jeopardy
- Loss of historic Dead Sea.
- Loss of valuable water resources.
- Ecological imbalances: hydrologic systems, land quality, plant and wildlife habitats.
- Loss of tourism development.
- Loss of social development in the Dead Sea Basin.
- Loss of future economic opportunities.
The Time to Save the Dead Sea is NOW
- There is an urgent need for concerted international action.
- Severe existing damages, e.g. surrounding groundwater, habitat for wildlife, possible link to sink holes.
- Cultural and historical values are jeopardized.
- The rate of deterioration is expected to escalate in the future.
- Future opportunities for joint regional development will be lost.
Proposed Action
Through the joint efforts of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and State of Israel a viable solution is attainable.
The Peace Conduit
Water conveyance system to provide sufficient water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea.
Represents a viable measure to mitigate all the negative environmental and social impacts stemming from the declining level of the Dead Sea.
- Will bring additional water to the Dead Sea to mitigate environmental damage and preserve or restore the sea's level.
- Facilitates large-scale desalination projects that can help meet the fresh water needs of Jordan, Israel and Palestinian Authority.
- Paves the way to future joint economic initiatives throughout the Dead Sea Basin.
- Contributes to the sustainable development of the Dead Sea Basin.
Mutual Benefits
The Peace Conduit can save the Dead Sea
The Peace Conduit facilitates large-scale water desalination
- International Heritage: preservation of historical, cultural, and environmental values
- Regional Economics: tourism,industry,services,trade and cross-boundary ventures
- Regional Survival: synergetic solution to regional water problems
- Global Survival: vehicle for peace, regional cooperation, and sustainable development
Additional Benefits of the Peace Conduit and Desalination Projects
- Exploits unique renewable energy source: 400 meter drop to generate hydro-power energy.
- Energy to create new source of fresh water: Desalination plants will produce up to 850 MCM/year fresh water sufficient to meet future water needs in Jordan, Israel and Palestinian Authority.
- Diffusion of future conflictsgeneration of new water sources will eliminate chronic disputes in a waterstarved region.
Desalination Project
- Desalinated drinking water will be conveyed to Jordan, Israel and Palestinian Authority via pipelines.
- Desalination projects scalable and can be developed incrementally to fit demand.
- Up to 1900 MCM/yr feed seawater.
- 45% of seawater will be recovered as fresh water.
- Up to 850 MCM/yr fresh water will be produced to meet demand in Jordan, Israel and Palestinian Authority.
- Additional electricity (550 MW) is required for pumping.
- Brine discharged to the Dead Sea.
Costs and Financing
- Costs are significant and can not be shouldered by riparian parties alone.
- Costs and risk can be shared between the public and the private sectors.
- Estimated required initial investment in peace conduit :$800-900 Million.
- Peace conduit increases the economic feasibility of desalination and water distribution projects undertaken by the private sector.
The Way Forward
- We must act immediately to reverse the environmental degradation confronting the Dead Sea and address the regional water crisis.
- Conduct feasibility study including Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Pursue international grants to finance the Peace Conduit.
- Proceed with process to attract the private sector participation for desalination projects.