Water Research Fosters Cooperation: Participants from Germany and the Middle East Work Together to Tackle Water Problems
Despite difficult political conditions, scientific cooperation is possible and vital to developing effective solutions to water scarcity in the Middle East. In three cooperation projects funded by the MEWAC program, researchers from Germany, Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories have developed practical solutions for the region: a water- and energy-efficient method for growing crops in arid regions, a new model for transboundary groundwater resources in the Yarmouk River, and a drought monitor system for aquifers.
After nearly four years, the final three projects of the "Middle East Regional Water Research Cooperation Program" (MEWAC) are nearing completion. Through MEWAC, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has been promoting new technologies for more efficient water use and integrated water management in two modules since 2021. In early June, project participants from Germany, Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories presented their results at a meeting near Berlin. Despite geopolitical tensions, the project partners emphasized the importance of keeping the door open for scientific exchange. They agreed on the need for further research and well-founded information to solve the region's severe water problems, which are further exacerbated by climate change.
A key component of this is improved information on the condition of transboundary aquifers. As part of the GRaCCE cooperation project, participants developed a method that uses weather data, hydrogeological measurements, and modeling to more accurately predict groundwater recharge in the Western Mountain Aquifer, a major source of freshwater for the region.This makes it easier to identify drought risks, anticipate future water shortages, and implement countermeasures. Early warning information is accessible via a web application. Additionally, the methods used in the project can be transferred to other regions with similar climatic conditions.
The TransFresh project's investigations provide the first detailed database on surface and groundwater resources in the transborder Yarmouk basin between Israel, Jordan, and Syria. These resources are essential for water management in the region. Consequently, the findings are of considerable interest. The data will be incorporated into a newly developed numerical groundwater model to predict the effects of various management decisions.
The EXALT project has identified significant water and energy savings potential in crop cultivation in arid regions through a new heat-coupled desalination process. Heat pumps are used in greenhouses to cool the air and desalinate saline water, which is then reused for plant irrigation. This reduces water consumption in closed greenhouses by up to 93 percent.
The three cooperation projects were launched in 2021 as part of Module A of the MEWAC program. The program promotes multilateral cooperation between research partners from Germany, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. Module A is supported by a corresponding call for proposals from the Israeli Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (MOST).
At the MEWAC transfer meeting, Germany and Jordan further expanded their scientific cooperation. The Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation signed a memorandum of understanding between its "Water Research and Innovation Unit", the Hanover-based Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG), and the University of Kassel. The aim is to promote the establishment of joint research facilities and training programs and to develop solutions for sustainable water management in the region. This includes the use of renewable energy sources, using wastewater and seawater for water supply, and the protection of sensitive ecosystems.
The transfer conference Module A proceedings are available for download.
