Turkey is trying to become “the world’s most environmentally friendly country” in order to up its chances on joining the European Union. Despite its increasing “Islamization” and friendly overtones towards less than conservative countries like Syria and Iran, this Asia Minor nation is currently undertaking a number of programs dealing with fresh water conservation and production, better treatment of solid and liquid wastes, and fighting pollution in lakes and rivers, as well as in the air. A number of Green Prophets have travelled to Turkey and know that its natural wonders are something to behold, and that Turkey has a great number of natural resources, including an envious supply of freshwater.

Now, the Turkish English news site, Today’s Zaman reports that Turkey hopes to receive between Euro 10 and 15 billion from the EU as part of an estimated Euro 59 billion program for environmental projects, of which 34 billion Euros will be used for water conservation projects alone. These water improvement projects will include recycling of waste water and cleaning up of industrial pollution – a project that in itself is expected to cost at least 15 billion Euros.

By undertaking these projects, especially those dealing with water resources, the country will be eligible to receive the EU funding, according to Turkey’s Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroğlu.

Turkey environmental issues, especially those dealing with water resources, have been mentioned in several past Green Prophet postings, including those dealing with the drying up of reservoirs and other waterways, and the damming by Turkey of the Euphrates and other rivers, which prevents water being supplied to other thirstier countries, including Syria and Iraq.

In an interview with Today’s Zaman Eroglu noted that a number of fresh water projects have been launched, as well as increasing the number of solid  waste treatment plants in the country from 15 to 54. He also noted steps being taken to deal with prevention of marine pollution:

“We currently have 300 blue flag and sea pollution measurement stations established across the country. Hence, the opening of the environment chapter is important for us. We are ready to become the world’s most environmentally friendly country.”

Not only is water a big issue in Turkey, but also forests and brush lands are being depleted, as Turkey’s major cities, especially Istanbul, have been flooded by people from rural areas.  How environmentally friendly this country of more than 71 million may be trying to be, there are still a lot of issues that need to be dealt with in order for the country to be able to play its “environmental card” to help qualify it for EU membership.

Industrial and private pollution, especially in the country’s larger cities, has been seen a significant increase as the country becomes more industrialized.

The water issue is also a serious problem, especially for a country that used to be considered as a major supplier of freshwater, and one which has used its natural parks and other resources to attract tourism from abroad. Despite its dwindling water resources, Turkey still tries to promote itself as having abundant natural resources; and tourism ads on various international media sites still attest to this. Environmental problems connected to climate change are also beginning to affect many locations in Turkey, including areas flooded recently by freak torrential rain storms, causing flash floods.

All of these environmental issues indicate that Turkey still a way to go before it can consider itself to be “the world’s most environmentally friendly country” as Mr. Eroglu is trying to say.

Read more articles dealing with Turkey Environmental Issues

Turkey Plays the Environment Card to Gain full EU Membership Status

Iraq Begs Turkey for Water

Turkey Plans to Sell Water, Even itself is “Running Dry”

It is important to apply eco-friendly labeling carefully.  This is especially true of the tourism industry that is often guilty of green-washing potential patrons to lure them to their site.  We have written about eco-lodges such Feynan in Jordan and Al Karm Ecolodge in Egypt that deserve their “eco-friendly” status given their strident conservation efforts.  Now we’d like to draw your attention to a boutique hotel in Ürgüp, Turkey that has partial claims to eco-friendliness and full claim to a fascinating architectural history.

According to the UK’s Green Business Touring Scheme (GBTS), there are several criteria that must be met before a business should label itself “eco”.  Some of these include: “compliance with environmental legislation”, “good environmental management” – which includes training staff and raising awareness, “social involvement”, energy efficiency, water efficiency, “environmentally friendly goods and services”, waste reduction, minimal transport necessity, “natural and cultural heritage”, and “innovation”.

Selçuklu Evi means the “The Seldjoukie house” in Turkish.  This name refers to an architectural legacy left behind by the Seljuk Empire, a Persian, Sunni Muslim Empire that once conquered Anatolia.  According to MuslimHeritage.com, some recognizable features of Seljuk architecture include tall gateways, ornamental stalactites, Ogival archways, and ceramic tiling.  In Anatolia builders used mostly stone to build their numerous castles, mausoleums and mosques, whereas in Iran they were more prone to brick.  Anatolian Seljuk stonework was said to be so beautiful that it was called “poetry in stone.”

It is this tradition to which Selçuklu Evi hearkens.  The Marketing Director, Sophie Florval, calls Selçuklu Evi a perfect combination of past and present.  Located in the unique geographical region known as Cappadocia – a high altitude plateau festooned with fairy chimneys – the hotel was once a collection of five houses.  The hotel owners employed local craftsmen to restore the buildings to create what is now a hotel with 20 rooms, a process which took three years.  Using local skills and preserving the cultural heritage both contribute to the hotel’s eco-friendliness.

The hotel also relies on locally harvested rock to keep the buildings warm in winter and cool in summer, rather than heating or air-conditioning.  The rooms, some partially underground, are decorated with beds made of wrought iron and regal Turkish rugs, both crafted by local artisans. They even serve locally-produced wine from faucets in the central courtyard:  white on the left, and red on the right.

Although Selçuklu Evi is certainly innovative, it is difficult to know whether it can claim further eco-accolades such as “minimal transport” or “water efficiency” given its remote and semi-arid location.  Nonetheless, we think that this boutique is at least twelve steps ahead of any Four Seasons Hotel.

Link to Selçuklu Evi:  http://www.selcukluevi.com/

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Additionally, Abdulla carries organic olive oil and olive oil soaps, honey, and pomegranate syrup, all produced locally and naturally in Turkey (a country which, by the way, is one of the world’s largest growers of organic cotton).

Metin Tosun, Abdulla’s founder and proprietor, opened his boutique shop about 15 years ago.  The original concept was a sort of Turkish delicatessen, where he intended to sell a wide array of local Turkish handicrafts and gourmet foods. 

But as he traveled the countryside searching for quality products, he encountered many small textile producers complaining about their lack of business.

“There are very few handlooms left in Turkey,” recalls Tosun.  “In general, everything is industrialized.”  He opened Abdulla to give these local economies and traditional modes of production some support.

More broadly speaking Abdulla is the result of Tosun’s ironclad belief that organic and natural sources create a higher quality product.  All of the dyes used in the store’s products, for instance, are plant-based because, according to Tosun, “Natural dyes are much nicer!  They just look better than industrial dyes.  If you want to dye something brown, you can use an acorn!”  Plus, naturally sourcing his wares adds more local character.  “The herbs that they use in central Turkey to make blue are different than the ones in Eastern Turkey,” he says.

Tosun is hesitant to call himself an environmentalist.  When I asked him if he assumes this label, he laughed and elegantly evaded the question, and once again cited the importance of high quality.  However the store’s owner does or does not label himself and his endeavor, Abdulla is certainly a model of the sustainable values we like to see here in the Middle East!

The original Abdulla is located inside the Grand Bazaar, on Halicilar Caddesi next to the Fes Cafe.  A second branch is located outside the Bazaar  at Ali Baba Türbe Sokak 25-27.  If you are like me, bring your older sister so she can forcibly drag you out of the store.  Otherwise you might never see the rest of Istanbul!

:: Abdulla

Photo by Rachel Bergstein, courtesy of Shira Bergstein’s camera

Previous Green Prophet posts on natural textiles:
Cotton’s Organic Clothes Are Soft on the Environment
No Sweat Apparel’s Organic Ts Help Bring Peace to the Middle East
Bagir’s Recycled Plastic Bottle Suit Gives New Meaning to Euro-Trash

Today we speak with Oren Blonder, director of the Agriculture, Water and Environment Department at the Peres Center for Peace. Prior to working at the Peres Center, Oren served as Project Manager of a wastewater treatment pilot program in the industrial area of Ramat Hovav industrial zone in Israel.

Here are our 5 questions for Blonder:

Q1. Turkey and Israel have had talks about freshwater supply and purchase in the past. The Turkish government has been positive in its overall response so far but there is some opposition to this in the Turkish political spectrum. If the Turkish government were to agree to supply 1 BCM of freshwater to Israel, is there a possibility that Israel will agree in return to share this water with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan?

A1. I think that like everything else it comes down to financial issues. I certainly believe that a joint regional purchase of water can occur and if Jordan and Palestine will pay for their share Israel could facilitate such a transaction

Q2. Israel is counting on desalination as a major source of its future water supply. However, there are limits to the growth of Israel’s water supply based on marginal water alone. What are the other ‘regional’ solutions that Israel can examine in terms of water cooperation with other countries?

A2. “Creating new sources of water” has been one of the Peres Center for Peace’s objectives for the last decade. I believe that (1) proper recycling and re-use of treated wastewater, and (2) modification of crops so that they can be irrigated by saline water (such as Salicorniya – salt tolerant plants for example), can free freshwater for drinking and hygiene purposes. With regard to these two fields, the Peres Center has facilitated major cross border projects between agricultural sectors and decision makers from across the region. The Peres Center has also assisted university research in these two fields of study.

Q3. Lebanon’s Litani River has a particularly high quality of water, with a very low quantity of chlorates and nitrates present. Water cooperation with Lebanon would therefore serve Israeli interests but in order for this to happen, political cooperation between these two parties is required; in addition Israel-Lebanon relations are inter-linked with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Is it worth it for Israel to find political cooperation with Lebanon in order to secure its water situation or is this not a practical option?

A3. Unfortunately, due to the highly sensitive nature of the current political atmosphere in the region, I find it hard to believe that water cooperation by itself is a strong enough reason for cooperation between Israel and Lebanon.

Q4. Technical reports suggest that over-pumping is leading to the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the West Bank, both in terms of water levels as well as water quality. This could cause water shortages in the short-run and devastation of the eco-system in the long-run. What can be done to preserve these aquifers?

A4. As I mentioned earlier, we at Peres Center strongly believe that “creating new sources of water” is the right solution for this problem. I believe it is possible; it has the agreement of all sides and it is a pure win-win situation.

Q5. Israel has experienced a severe drought period in the recent past. With environmental neglect and the effects of climate change, this can be a frequent and imminent risk in the future. What can be done to minimize the impact of such a danger in terms of national measures as well as well as regional cooperation?

A5. I believe that all sides have certain advantages to gain from cooperation and cross border activities in this field, and that due to our shared scarcity of water, this is the only solution! One can not solve this type of problem alone, exactly like you wouldn’t expect a local authority to solve such a problem instead of handling it at the national level.

The Israeli experts water series:
1. All the Water in Israel: Interviews with Government, Analysts and Researchers
2. Interview with Israel’s past water commissioner, Shimon Tal
3. Gidon Bromberg on Water Security and Sustainability in the Middle East
4. Read our interview with Israel’s Water Commission
5. Interview with Eli Ronen, chairman of Mekorot
6. Interview with Ranaan Borel, water consultant and activist
7. Interview with the Mayor of Ashkelon, Benny Vaknin, a peacebuilder through water and the environment
8. Interview With Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection

Water can start wars, but it can also be a bridge to peace. And as a Middle East environment news blog, Green Prophet thinks “green” solutions – be it water, clean energy, clean air – can stimulate and lubricate peace. That’s why we engaged in a series of interviews with Israeli water experts in partnership with the Strategic Foresight Group. There’s been a lot of talk about how Israel manages its water, but what solutions do its experts, policy makers and business people see as viable for water security in the Middle East?

We launched into a deep investigation and found the influentials in the country’s water industry. (Scroll down for the complete list of interviews.) Today’s interview with the desk of the Ministry of Environmental Protection rounds off this series. We hope that loyal readers have found it useful, and that policy makers, and journalists will have new channels of experts to approach.

Here’s our interview with the Ministry:

Q1. Turkey and Israel have had talks about freshwater supply and purchase in the past. The Turkish government has been positive in its overall response so far but there is some opposition to this in the Turkish political spectrum. If the Turkish government were to agree to supply 1 BCM of freshwater to Israel, is there a possibility that Israel will agree in return to share this water with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan?

A1. Nowadays, Israel is the major supplier of water to the Palestinians and it supplies water to Jordan according to the peace agreement between the countries. If this project of getting some water from Turkey will be feasible, sharing it with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan is more than an option and Israel will consider it as such.

Q2. Israel is counting on desalination as a major source of its future water supply. However, there are limits to the growth of Israel’s water supply based on marginal water alone. What are the other ‘regional’ solutions that Israel can examine in terms of water cooperation with other countries?

A2. The water scarcity is going to be harder in the whole region and desalination is the solution for “new” water. Furthermore, reuse of water and especially use of treated effluent for agriculture will gain more fresh water to address the needs of the increasing population in the Mediterranean.

Q3. Lebanon’s Litani River has a particularly high quality of water, with a very low quantity of chlorates and nitrates present. Water cooperation with Lebanon would therefore serve Israeli interests but in order for this to happen, political cooperation between these two parties is required; in addition Israel-Lebanon relations are inter-linked with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Is it worth it for Israel to find political cooperation with Lebanon in order to secure its water situation or is this not a practical option?

A3. Indeed, the Litani River has good water quality and the use of its water will contribute a lot to the scarcity in the region. Unfortunately, nowadays, the conflict keeps this solution far from reality.

Q4. Technical reports suggest that over-pumping is leading to the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the West Bank, both in terms of water levels as well as water quality. This could cause water shortages in the short-run and devastation of the eco-system in the long-run. What can be done to preserve these aquifers?

A4. There are three major things that need to be done in order to save the water quality in the aquifers:

1. Pollution from wastewater that is flowing into the environment needs to be stopped and wastewater treatment plants need to be built as soon as possible.

2. A control of the over-pumping is a major step in order to save the quality and quantity of the aquifers.

3. The use of treated effluents for agriculture will reduce the need for over-pumping and will keep the aquifers in good quality.

Q5. Israel has experienced a severe drought period in the recent past. With environmental neglect and the effects of climate change, this can be a frequent and imminent risk in the future. What can be done to minimize the impact of such a danger in terms of national measures as well as well as regional cooperation?

A5. A combination of steps in the region will reduce the dangers and risks to the environment from droughts. Increasing the ability to produce “new” water from desalination is one step. Reusing of treated wastewater for agriculture is another one. Education and control on the daily consumption of the people will support and reduce the need for water by 10-15% on an annual basis.

Cooperation between the countries can also contribute a lot and can help supply an adequate quantity and good quality of water to the entire population in the region.

Found this interview useful? Read the rest of series below.

The Israeli experts water series:
1. All the Water in Israel: Interviews with Government, Analysts and Researchers
2. Interview with Israel’s past water commissioner, Shimon Tal
3. Gidon Bromberg on Water Security and Sustainability in the Middle East
4. Read our interview with Israel’s Water Commission
5. Interview with Eli Ronen, chairman of Mekorot
6. Interview with Ranaan Borel, water consultant and activist
7. Interview with the Mayor of Ashkelon, Benny Vaknin, a peacebuilder through water and the environment

Can water lubricate peace? We hope so. This is our second to last interview in our water series with the Strategic Foresight Group. Today we interview Benny Vaknin, the Mayor of Ashkelon, who is trying to cooperate with Gaza for building a sewage treatment plant in Gaza city.

The former businessman is working to solutions for peace and cooperation with the nearby Gaza City. He thinks through water is a good way to achieve that. Here are his views on the water situation in Israel and regional water cooperation:

Q. Turkey and Israel have had talks about freshwater supply and purchase in the past. The Turkish government has been positive in its overall response so far but there is some opposition to this in the Turkish political spectrum. If the Turkish government were to agree to supply 1 BCM of freshwater to Israel, is there a possibility that Israel will agree in return to share this water with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan?

A1. This project that you mention between Turkey and Israel is not economical and therefore is not relevant.

Q2. Israel is counting on desalination as a major source of its future water supply. However, there are limits to the growth of Israel’s water supply based on marginal water alone. What are the other ‘regional’ solutions that Israel can examine in terms of water cooperation with other countries?

A2. Water shortage is a common problem amongst all countries in the Middle East. One of the regional solutions that Israel should consider is transportation of water. They have extra water in Lebanon. Perhaps we should consider transportation of water from Lebanon for all the countries in the region where there is shortage of water.

Q3. Lebanon’s Litani River has a particularly high quality of water, with a very low quantity of chlorates and nitrates present. Water cooperation with Lebanon would therefore serve Israeli interests but in order for this to happen, political cooperation between these two parties is required; in addition Israel-Lebanon relations are inter-linked with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Is it worth it for Israel to find political cooperation with Lebanon in order to secure its water situation or is this not a practical option?

A3. Israel wants peace with all the countries of the region and this could result in a very positive initiative. One of the outcomes of such peace would be cooperation on water. Water can be a cause for war but it can also be a good platform for peace.

Q4. Technical reports suggest that over-pumping is leading to the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the West Bank, both in terms of water levels as well as water quality.  This could cause water shortages in the short-run and devastation of the eco-system in the long-run. What can be done to preserve these aquifers?

A4. Desalination is a part of the solution. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians are pumping water; the state of Israel supplies 40 -50 million cubic meters of water every year to the Palestinians. The best solution is for cooperation is the regional management of water.

Q5. Israel has experienced a severe drought period in the recent past. With environmental neglect and the effects of climate change, this can be a frequent and imminent risk in the future. What can be done to minimize the impact of such a danger in terms of national measures as well as well as regional cooperation?

A5. At the national level Israel has implemented the use of re-used water for agriculture. Israel should also utilize and manage a more effective water system. At the regional level Israel can assist and share its experience with others in the region. Another promising effort in regional cooperation is the pilot project that is being implemented in Gaza using sewage water for agriculture.

Read our series of interviews with Israeli water experts:
1. All the Water in Israel: Interviews with Government, Analysts and Researchers
2. Interview with Israel’s past water commissioner, Shimon Tal
3. Gidon Bromberg on Water Security and Sustainability in the Middle East
4. Read our interview with Israel’s Water Commission
5. Interview with Eli Ronen, the Chairman of Mekorot
6. Interview with Ranaan Borel (SPNI) on Water Security in Israel

We’ve interviewed the past water commissioner of Israel Shimon Tal; the office of Uri Shani, the present water commissioner; as well as Gidon Bromberg, a TIME Magazine environment hero, and regional water champion. And we can’t forget Eli Ronen, the chairman of Mekorot, the country’s national water carrier.

Today we interview Raanan Boral, who has been working in the field of nature conservation and environment for more than 25 years. He has worked as an advisor to the Minister of Environment in Israel and directed the Environment Protection Division at the SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel). Today Boral works as a consultant to non-government and private organizations.

Click below for our questions and Boral’s answers:

Q1. Turkey and Israel have had talks about freshwater supply and purchase in the past. The Turkish government has been positive in its overall response so far but there is some opposition to this in the Turkish political spectrum. If the Turkish government were to agree to supply 1 BCM of freshwater to Israel, is there a possibility that Israel will agree in return to share this water with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan?

A1. I will start with the second part of the question – will Israel share imported water from Turkey with the PA and Jordan? The answer is definitely YES. Today the three entities are working in cooperation on the Red Sea Dead Sea water conduit, which aims to balance the Dead Sea water level and provide water to the three entities – foremost Jordan, the PA and Israel.

There is really no relevance to the source of water. It’s a question of quantity. With respect to importing water to the region from Turkey where freshwater is in excessive abundance, there is an opposition in Israel from the desalination industry against importing water as they prefer lack of competition.

The Israeli government has recently decided on a pilot project to import water from Turkey. In my view it is inevitable that this will be a significant source of water to the region in the future.

Q2. Israel is counting on desalination as a major source of its future water supply. However, there are limits to the growth of Israel’s water supply based on marginal water alone. What are the other ‘regional’ solutions that Israel can examine in terms of water cooperation with other countries?

A2. Israel has several water sources; from three aquifers, purified sewage and desalination. The source with the largest potential for growth is desalination (and in turn purified waste water, but to a lesser extent).

Yet, there is a limit to the amount of desalination plants that the environment can sustain, and it is therefore my view that there is no other option but to import water from Turkey, as is done with other products.

The world doesn’t necessarily lack water, rather, as with natural resources, wealth and other components of life, it’s a question of distribution. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that water will be transported from one area to another, and Israel will not be able to be an exception to the rule.

Q3. Lebanon’s Litani River has a particularly high quality of water, with a very low quantity of chlorates and nitrates present. Water cooperation with Lebanon would therefore serve Israeli interests but in order for this to happen, political cooperation between these two parties is required; in addition Israel-Lebanon relations are inter-linked with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Is it worth it for Israel to find political cooperation with Lebanon in order to secure its water situation or is this not a practical option?

A3. It is in Israel’s interest to find a political solution to the situation in the Middle East in general and with Lebanon in particular, not only for the sake of water but for all important aspects of peoples’ lives. With respect to the former questions there is a paradox; if the first issue (import water from Turkey) is executed the motivation to reach some sort of agreement with Lebanon, because of water, will decrease.

Q4. Technical reports suggest that over-pumping is leading to the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the West Bank, both in terms of water levels as well as water quality. This could cause water shortages in the short-run and devastation of the eco-system in the long-run. What can be done to preserve these aquifers?

A4. Over-pumping is a severe problem in all aquifers in Israel and the West Bank. The tremendous increase in population and water demand combined with mismanagement of water resources has led to a drop in the water level in all aquifers. The solution lies in a combination of measures that include water preservation, desalination and import.

Q5. Israel has experienced a severe drought period in the recent past. With environmental neglect and the effects of climate change, this can be a frequent and imminent risk in the future. What can be done to minimize the impact of such a danger in terms of national measures as well as well as regional cooperation?

A5. Two parliament inquiry committees have determined that Israel needs a coherent, comprehensive and interdisciplinary long and short term policy for its water sector. The details of such a policy are beyond the scope of this questionnaire. They include some of the issues mentioned above – reduce water demand, increase water production by desalination and import water from areas where it is abundant. My view is that such a step would be a good beginning.

More from our water series:
Gidon Bromberg on Water Security and Sustainability in the Middle East
Read our interview with Israel’s Water Commission
Interview with Israel’s past water commissioner, Shimon Tal
All the Water in Israel: Interviews with Government, Analysts and Researchers
Interview With Eli Ronen, the chairman of Mekorot

We talk with Eli Ronen, the chairman of the board at Israel’s National Water Company – Mekorot. Founded in 1937, Mekorot has set up hundreds of water projects all over the country, and also globally – most recently it’s announced its intentions to desalinate California. Mekorot is also a pioneer in the field of new water technologies, handled by its WaTech division. Here are Ronen’s answers to the 5 questions we posed to him.

Q1. Turkey and Israel have had talks about freshwater supply and purchase in the past. The Turkish government has been positive in its overall response so far but there is some opposition to this in the Turkish political spectrum. If the Turkish government were to agree to supply 1 BCM of freshwater to Israel, is there a possibility that Israel will agree in return to share this water with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan?

A1. The only way to purchase water from Turkey is by laying an underwater pipeline from Turkey to Israel. This solution was suggested to the Turkish officials, unfortunately there is no progress. If such pipeline is constructed, it will be possible to supply water to the entire Middle East: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, P.A, Egypt and Israel. Bringing water by boats, as was suggested a few years ago, is neither efficient nor economical.

Q2. Israel is counting on desalination as a major source of its future water supply. However, there are limits to the growth of Israel’s water supply based on marginal water alone. What are the other ‘regional’ solutions that Israel can examine in terms of water cooperation with other countries?

A2. The most beneficial regional solution is to construct the Red Dead canal in order to produce fresh water through desalination by means of hydroelectric energy. This water can be supplied to Jordan, P.A and Israel. Furthermore, it can save the Dead Sea which is being diminished year by year.

Q3. Lebanon’s Litani River has a particularly high quality of water, with a very low quantity of chlorates and nitrates present. Water cooperation with Lebanon would therefore serve Israeli interests but in order for this to happen, political cooperation between these two parties is required; in addition Israel-Lebanon relations are inter-linked with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Is it worth it for Israel to find political cooperation with Lebanon in order to secure its water situation or is this not a practical option?

A3. -

Q4. Technical reports suggest that over-pumping is leading to the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the West Bank, both in terms of water levels as well as water quality. This could cause water shortages in the short-run and devastation of the eco-system in the long-run. What can be done to preserve these aquifers?

A4. In order to preserve the aquifers excessive water pumping needs to decrease. This can be accomplished only after finding alternative sources of water such as re-used water for agriculture, brackish water and rehabilitation of contaminated wells.

Q5. Israel has experienced a severe drought period in the recent past. With environmental neglect and the effects of climate change, this can be a frequent and imminent risk in the future. What can be done to minimize the impact of such a danger in terms of national measures as well as well as regional cooperation?

A5. The answer to this question is mentioned in answers 2 and 4.

More from our water series:
Gidon Bromberg on Water Security and Sustainability in the Middle East
Read our interview with Israel’s Water Commission
Interview with Israel’s past water commissioner, Shimon Tal
All the Water in Israel: Interviews with Government, Analysts and Researchers

And we love the idea of hydro-diplomacy.

Hoping for some sustainable changes in the water sector for Israel and its neighbours, we’ve partnered with the Strategic Foresight Group to interview those people and organizations at the heart of Israel’s water industry.

Last week: Shimon Tal, the past Water Commissioner of Israel. Today from the office of Dr. Uri Shani, Israel’s current water commissioner. Responsible for the overall management of the nation’s water resources, this interview with the Israeli Water Commission office (Ministry of Infrastructure), includes information that policy makers, journalists and those following the Middle East water story, will love.

Read about how Israel formulates its water policy, the planning and development of the water economy, how it prevents the pollution of water sources, how Israel regulates streams and flood prevention; uses its overflow water, develops new water sources, uses waste water, and promotes the efficient use of water. See our questions below and read on for the answers.

Q1. Turkey and Israel have had talks about freshwater supply and purchase in the past. The Turkish government has been positive in its overall response so far but there is some opposition to this in the Turkish political spectrum. If the Turkish government were to agree to supply 1 BCM of freshwater to Israel, is there a possibility that Israel will agree in return to share this water with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan?

A1. Israel does not have any formal negotiation with Turkey regarding freshwater supply at the moment. Transferring water from Turkey through Israel to Jordan and the Palestinians, on prices that will be agreed in advanced between all parties, is an appropriate possibility that should be considered. Israel is always aspiring towards regional cooperation in order to resolve the water problem in this region.

Q2. Israel is counting on desalination as a major source of its future water supply. However, there are limits to the growth of Israel’s water supply based on marginal water alone. What are the other ‘regional’ solutions that Israel can examine in terms of water cooperation with other countries?

A2. As stated, Israel is aspiring towards regional cooperation in order to resolve the water problem in the Middle East. The ideas of freshwater supply from Turkey, and utilization of the Litani River, as mentioned on your third question, are positive issues for regional cooperation.

Q3. Lebanon’s Litani River has a particularly high quality of water, with a very low quantity of chlorates and nitrates present. Water cooperation with Lebanon would therefore serve Israeli interests but in order for this to happen, political cooperation between these two parties is required; in addition Israel-Lebanon relations are inter-linked with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Is it worth it for Israel to find political cooperation with Lebanon in order to secure its water situation or is this not a practical option?

A3. Effective cooperation between Israel and other parties, and Lebanon, regarding an agreed and mutually beneficial use of the Litani River waters, can be highly valuable for both states and can also be highly beneficial to the region as well, including Jordan and the Palestinians.

There is a considerable amount of water in the Litani River, in regional terms: the average multi-annual amount as estimated today is about 700 million cubic meters. Only a fraction of that high amount is used, mostly for agriculture, in Southern Lebanon. Most of the water goes to waste, flowing into the sea (part of the water is also used for power generation, before it drains into the sea without any further use). As for the quality of the water, as far as we know most of the Litani waters are contaminated and not considered potable.

It is in essence a practically–pending agreement: technically, it would demand the development of a simple project (which is highly preferable), practically and economically, to any other known alternative for adding additional and significant amounts of water resources to the region and to the three above-mentioned consumers. Any solution, though, requires cooperation between all parties.

Q4. Technical reports suggest that over-pumping is leading to the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the West Bank, both in terms of water levels as well as water quality. This could cause water shortages in the short-run and devastation of the eco-system in the long-run. What can be done to preserve these aquifers?

A4. Five years of severe drought in our area resulted in both a decrease in the amount of precipitation as well as a difference in the character of this precipitation. The natural recharge of both upper-water and groundwater sources was significantly reduced and this in turn gradually affected the quality of Israel’s water resources. The Israeli Water Authority is taking tremendous efforts to reduce the damage caused to these natural water resources and the descent in water levels that they have experienced. Efforts include:

a. Preserving minimum groundwater levels in all the basins in order to prevent irreversible damage and to prevent pollution of neighboring fresh water aquifers,
b. Ascertaining the exact volume of outflow from springs in order to preserve salt removing processes from the aquifers,
c. Ensuring a balanced distribution of water production in order to assure groundwater gradients, directions and flow regimes,
d. Conducting frequent monitoring of every water source in order to follow depletion in volume and quality, including condensation of monitoring networks in the tremendous expenses in areas of the high mountain and in the depth of the aquifer in order to follow negative regional influences,
e. Taking measures to prevent pollution from natural, agricultural or human sources, in order to minimize the volume and type of the pervasive pollutants to the aquifers.

There is no doubt that regional cooperation together with the Palestinian Authority, with the overall view of developing new (natural or artificial) water resources, as well as preventing the pollution of upper-water and groundwater sources, will significantly reduce the deterioration of both the quantity and quality of natural water resources in our area.

Q5. Israel has experienced a severe drought period in the recent past. With environmental neglect and the effects of climate change, this can be a frequent and imminent risk in the future. What can be done to minimize the impact of such a danger in terms of national measures as well as well as regional cooperation?

A5. In the last decade, the State of Israel has been taking significant measures to deal with climate change and with extreme climate conditions. The government made a series of decisions in order to increase the water supply and to restrict the water demand.

The steps included in this plan are:

a. Intensive use of marginal and recycled water (more than 60% of the agricultural irrigation is based on this kind of water).
b. Desalination of brackish water from natural sources.
c. Desalination of sea water (at the end of 2009, sea water desalination plants produce about 40% of the domestic demand and till 2014 the production will reach 600 million cubic meters per year which is more than 80% of the projected domestic consumption in that year).
d. Planning sea water desalination at this magnitude takes into account a decrease of 10% in the freshwater safe yield in the coming years and therefore has the intention to stabilize natural water resources in next decade.
e. Dramatic improvement in the efficiency of agriculture (more production for less water).
f. Cuts in allocations for agriculture.
g. Increasing water tariffs (to the actual cost).
h. Stepping water tariffs (relating to the consumed amount).
i. Levy on surplus domestic consumption (in drought years).
j. Distribution of water saving devices in the domestic sector.
k. Governmental campaign for water conservation.
l. Adopting a strong preventive maintenance approach (water losses in the range of 10% with a goal to reach to only 8%).

Israel Water Commission (promo video in Hebrew)

Click here to view the embedded video.

::Israel Water Commission (in Hebrew only, we’re afraid)

More on Israel’s water industry:
Interview with Shimon Tal, past water commission of Israel
All the Water in Israel: Interviews with Government, Analysts and Researchers
The Agricultural Roots of Israel’s Water Crisis
Israel and Jordan’s Red Dead Debate
Israel’s WATEC Water Conference, Makes a Splash

Turkey’s got some renewable energy projects brewing see our recent article on renewable energy prospects for Turkey. Competing with oil from the Middle East, it now appears that the Turkish government has decided to favor more projects dealing with wind and other renewable energy programs. In an abstract for an article in the Turkish Digest called “On Wind Energy in Turkey,” the article had some positive points in favor of wind.

“As wind energy is an alternative clean energy source compared to the fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere, systems that convert wind energy to electricity have developed rapidly.”

No surprise to us.

Turkey’s developing interest in wind energy was aided considerably by an energy efficiency law that was passed by the Turkish government in 2007, that allows 10 years of electricity generation by renewable sources as guaranteed by the Turkish government. With the passage of this law, installed wind power has risen to 131.35 MW in Turkey and it is expected that this value was to be expected be increased to 808.81 MW by the end of 2008.

As in other countries still importing fossil fuels for a large part of their energy needs including, the success of renewable energy projects depend a lot on the assistance these projects receive from governmental authorities as well as outside assistance from financial institutions such as the World Bank.

Turkey received this assistance in May 2009, when the Bank announced it is investing $600 million in developing renewable sources such as biomass, hydro, wind and geothermal. Funding is being channeled through banks, which will loan cash to private entrepreneurs to give the market a boost. Not all of this aid will go to wind energy projects, but will be divided up among the mentioned renewable energy sources.

Still, wind energy is considered by many to be one of the cleanest renewable sources around, and despite the special equipment needed to install the massive propeller shaped wind turbines, many of which are as large as a 747 passenger airliner,  it appears that more wind energy projects will be seen all over Turkey.

Of course, the Turks might consider installing more innovative vertical turbines, such as ones currently being developed by an Israeli company, Coriolis Wind, which are able to produce electricity from a much lower “wind cut-in speed” by taking advantage of natural forces such as the Coriolis Effect.

Whatever types of wind turbines and related equipment will be utilized in Turkish wind farms, it appears that this form of energy will be used more in the future to power the country’s growing energy needs. And maybe the use of wind power will put Turkey in the good books of the EU bloc, of which Turkey has been pining to join.

Photo via the World Bank
::www.turkishdigest.com

More on wind power:
Turkey unsure to look East or West for Renewable Energy Development
Turkey Lands World Bank  “Smart Grid”
Wind Turbines in Cow Shed Test Coriolis Verticle Wind Turbines