Water for the Future

This book is the result of a joint research effort led by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and involving the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the Palestine Health Council. It discusses opportunities for enhancement of water supplies and avoidance of overexploitation of water resources in the Middle East. Based on the concept that ecosystem goods and services are essential to maintaining water quality and quantity, the book emphasizes conservation, improved use of current technologies, and water management approaches that are compatible with environmental quality.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction and Background2 The Study Area and Patterns of Water Use3 Factors Affecting Patterns of Water Use4 Water and the Environment5 Options for the Future: Balancing Water Demand and Water ResourcesAppendix A: Excerpts from the Treaty of Peace Between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of JordanAppendix B: Excerpts from the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza StripAppendix C: Effects of Water Use on Biodiversity in the Study AreaAppendix D: Guidelines for Rehabilitation of RiversAppendix E: BibliographyAppendix F: List of Meeting Places and DatesAppendix G: Committee on Sustainable Water Supplies for the Middle east Biographical Sketches