Management of Shared Aquifer Systems: a Case Study

Abstract

Next to issues of land, water resources are the major bone of contention in the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Per-capita annual renewable freshwater resources in the region are among the lowest in the world. This paper will attempt to identify an appropriate framework for management of shared aquifers underlying Israel and West Bank that comprise hydrological, legal, institutional, and socio-economic and environmental issues. The article calls for the application of international water law in the resolution of water disputes in the negotiating process. The challenging task for negotiators is to translate water law principles into operating rules and procedures for the equitable apportionment of waters from shared water resources. The paper introduces a multi-criteria decision tool as a possible approach to the problem of allocating the waters of the Mountain Aquifer between all riparian parties. A general mathematical model was derived in which the proportional entitlements of the Mountain Aquifer were determined. The model yields the following results (40%, 60%) where 40% represents the Israeli and 60% the Palestinian entitlements