Arab Water Week 2013, AmmanEileen Maternowski, Water Policy Advisor, ESCWA-BGR Cooperation

Outline

I Introduction objectives, rationale, development & process

II Features 26 chapters, 50 new geographic maps &website

III Added Values and Outlook

Launch: World Water Day 2013

The Inventory is the first UN-led effort to take stock of the region’s shared surface and groundwater resources in a comprehensive, systematic and standardized manner.

Key aspects: hydrology, hydrogeology water resources development and useagreements and cross-border management efforts

What is the Inventory?

Covers all surface and groundwater resources shared between Arab countries in Western Asia.Also includes data on water resources that are shared with Iran, Israel and Turkey.

Scope of the InventoryRegional Overview Map: Western Asia

In-depth research and data collection focuses mainly on popular cases of dispute.Information sources such as maps and data series are outdated, or limited to the national context. The region has some of the most extensive and productive groundwater systems in the world - but these ‘hidden assets’ have not been systematically assessed across borders.Regional debate on shared water issues needs orientation and reference. Many ESCWA countries support the Inventory.Western Asia is one of the few regions not covered yet by other assessments with similar purpose (i.e. ISARM).

Background

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Objectives

Document the state of shared water resources and their use

Improve the knowledge base and facilitate access to information on shared water resources

Create awareness among decision makers, experts and the general public

Stimulate an informed discussion within and among riparian countries

Support regional processes towards improved dialogue and cooperation over shared water resources (e.g. ‘Legal Framework’)

Work Process

2009 20132010-2012

Launch: World Water Day 2013

Regional Consultative MeetingIndividual missions and discussionsBasin information packages sent with specific data and information requestsCommenting on chapters

Focal Points

Committee on Water Resources

ESCWA-BGR Team

Consultation with CountriesESCWA Intergouvernmental Committee on Water Resourcesbacking the process since 2009

Nominated focal points from: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, UAE and Yemen

Inventory Features

Chapter Features

Chapter Features

MAPS: Surface Water Basins

MAPS• Jordan River• Orontes River• Euphrates-

Tigris-Shatt Al Arab• El Kebir River• Qweik River

Basin Precipitation Maps

Overview Maps

Add picMAPS: Groundwater Aquifer Systems

Shared Aquifer Systems Mesozoic and Paleozoic Era

Shared Aquifer Systems Cenozoic Era

Overview Maps

Wajid Aquifer System

Coastal Aquifer Basin

Overview Maps

ADDED VALUE

ESCWA member countries Non-ESCWAShared Aquifer Systems BAH EGY IRQ JOR KUW LEB OMA PAL QTR SAU SYR UAE YEM IRN ISR TUR

ARABIAN PENINSULA

Saq Ram Wajid Wasia Biyadh Aruma (S): Tawila-Mahra / Cretaceous Sands Wasia Biyadh Aruma (N): Sakaka-Rutba U er R‘ Dammam (S): Rub‘ El Khali U er R‘ Dammam (Center): Gulf U er R‘ Dammam (N): Widyan-Salman

Tawil-Quaternary: Wadi Sirhan Basin

THE MASHREK

Anti-Lebanon Western Aquifer Basin Coastal Aquifer Basin Basalt (W): Yarmouk Basin

Basalt (SE): Azraq Basin

MESOPOTAMIAincl. Tauros-Zagros

Taurus-Zagros Jezira Tertiary Limestone Neogene (NW) - Upper and Lower Fars: Jezira Basin

Neogene (SE) Dibdibba – Kuwait Group

Added Value: Identification of shared aquifer systems

Added Value:Focus discussion on shared aquifer systems

Example: Saq-Ram Aquifer System (West) – ‘Disi’ Aquifer• approx. exploitability • groundwater development

Added Value: Visualization in new maps

Example:Map of shared tributaries of the Tigris River• Sub-basin delineation • Infrastructure• agricultural development

Figure 4. a) Mean annual discharge, b) specific mean annual discharge and c) discharge anomaly time series of the Orontes (1932-2010)

Added Value: Hydrological baseline and trends

Example:Discharge Variability: Orontes River - visualize trend, drought years

Flow Regime: Euphrates River - effect of river regulation

Added Value: Compilation of various data sources I

Example: Water Quality Euphrates River• National Data sets• Scientific publications

Example: Water Use• Remote Sensing Studies• Agricultural Statistics (proxy)• National Sector data

Added Value: Compilation of various data sources II

Added Value: Understanding existing cooperation

Example: Orontes River

Science level• a reference document• systematic yet reader friendly• comprehensive and with level of detail• objective and using scientific approach Policy level• process itself has created awareness

and stimulated dialogue

Inventory is not just another publication, because it is…

Remaining Challenges

further conceptual work in dealing with shared aquifer systems needed completion, validation and updating of baseline information

Horizontal expansion (i.e. new ESCWA members / North Africa)

Integrating science into policy Enhance cooperation on the ground

Move beyond water allocation

VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.waterinventory.or

g

Eileen MaternowskiWater Policy Advisormaternowski@un.orgTel +961 70 116 124

Thank you for your attention!

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)P.O. Box 11-8575Beirut, Lebanon