Middle East Water

Arizona, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories are arid/semi-arid lands that face similar water challenges. The Water Resources Research Center has been working to facilitate communication and develop partnerships related to water management and policy in the Middle East. The focus has been on the critical water issues of water-stressed regions and transboundary waters. In 2009 the WRRC hosted a workshop that brought together Arizona, Israeli and Palestinian water leaders. Managers, NGO representatives, students, and scholars from a range of disciplines gathered to better understand water management challenges and to consider solutions. Since then, there have been numerous projects, programs, and opportunities for sharing and analysis of these regions’ water management successes and challenges.

Publications

WRRC faculty and colleagues have published books, book chapters, papers, and columns, on water management and policy topics in Arizona and the Middle East. Presentations at workshops and conferences around the globe as well as roundtable discussions and invited talks provide opportunities for information exchange about shared water concerns, innovative advances, and management strategies to provide safe and reliable water supplies.

Reflections: Being on Sabbatical During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Sharon B. Megdal - March 2020
Reflections on a Successful Israeli Conference Experience - Sharon B. Megdal - Dec 2019
Influence of grey water on physical and mechanical properties of mortar and concrete mixes - Ain Shams Engineering Journal - December, 2018 
Cutting-Edge Solutions to Wicked Water Problems - Water Resources IMPACT - January 2018
Comparing Experiences and Lessons Learned: The September 2017 International Conference on Cutting-Edge Solutions to Wicked Water Problems, Sharon B. Megdal, Arizona Water Resource - Fall 2017
Issue on Desalination, Municipal Water Leader - May 2017
Bridging through Water - Sharon B. Megdal, Arizona Water Resource - Winter 2017
Connecting Israeli Water Management and Technological Innovations to Arizona - Sharon B. Megdal and Glenn Hamer, Kachina News - Fall 2016
My Turn: Israel's water lesson for Arizona - Sharon B. Megdal, The Arizona Republic - Nov. 2015
A tale of two rivers: Pathways for improving water management in the Jordan and Colorado River basins - Journal of Arid Environments - January 2015
Performance of a Grey Water Pilot Plant Using a Multi-Layer Filter for Agricultural Purposes in the Jordan Valley - July 2014
Learning Globally, Acting Locally - April-2014
Q & A with Raanan Adin, CEO, Adin Holdings Ltd. - Jan. 2014
Israel, Through the Lens of a Water Scientist - Aug. 2013
Shared Borders, Shared Waters - Dec. 18, 2012

This collection of papers, published in 2012, examines water management in two of the world’s prominent, arid transboundary areas facing similar challenges. In the Middle East, the chronically water-short Israeli-Palestinian region has recognized the need both to conserve and supplement its traditional water sources. Across the globe on the North American continent, Arizona—a state in the southwestern United States bordering Mexico—relies significantly on the overallocated Colorado River, as well as on non-renewable groundwater supplies. For both regions, sustainable and cost-effective solutions clearly require innovative, multifaceted, and conflict-avoiding approaches. More
Immersed in water’: Sharon Megdal dives into policy and environmental issues - Dec 2012
Israel Water Management Program Provides Rich Learning Experience - Sep. 2012
WRRC Hosts Scientists from the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan for Gray Water Workshop - Sept. 2012
Sabbatical report-A Comparison of Water Management and Policy Approaches of Three Water-Stressed Regions: Arizona, Israel and Australia - Sept. 2012
Grey Water Reuse for Agricultural Purposes in the Jordan Valley: Household Survey Results in Deir Alla - Aug. 2012
The Value of Getting Out in the Field and Sharing Experiences - Jan. 2012
Visit Shows Israel Faces Similar Water Management Issues as Arizona - Arizona Water Resource - Sep. 2006

Presentations

News

Arizona, Israeli, and Palestinian Water Management and Policy Workshop (AzIP)

The Arizona, Israeli, and Palestinian Water Management and Policy Workshop, conducted in 2009 in Tucson, focused on critical water issues of the three arid and semi-arid regions. The workshop brought together researchers and policy experts from all three regions to identify solutions to common water management challenges. It was an opportunity to work on shared water concerns faced by arid and semi-arid regions including transborder water issues, water shortages, poor water quality and effective governance. The workshop also built the groundwork for future collaboration on projects and programs to solve some of the water issues facing these drought stricken areas.