From Monitoring and Modeling to Decision Support Frameworks for the Joint Management of Shared Aquifers

Abstract

Managing ground water resources in a semi-arid environment with high demands being made on water is a complex and difficult task. More than in humid climates, semi-arid environments are characterized by restrictive measures (in particular by demand management), because the mean rates of ground water renewal are low, and sooner or later they tend to be exceeded by the steadily growing demands on ground water. Measures restricting individual freedom and aspirations are unpopular and can only be adopted and implemented successfully if the persons involved at the different levels — politicians, administrative officials, technical water resources management staff, water users and other stakeholders — have compatible and coherent attitudes on the issues, priorities, constraints and preferred actions in ground water resources management. The situation becomes even more complicated if the aquifers concerned are shared by different nationalities, as in the case of the mountain aquifer shared by the Israelis and the Palestinians.