FROM CORDIS (1998)

Objective: The objectives of the project are the following :

• Assessment of water resources in the Eastern Mediterranean regions (Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Egypt), assessment of water demand in the same regions for domestic (potable and other uses), industrial and agricultural usage and identification of areas under risk (present/future water shortage, declining water resources, quality/pollution problems).
• Developments of a model under a GIS environment for recording data, analysing water resources/demand and identifying areas under risk. The system will be able to support decisions concerning water management.
• Development of policy making tools and policies for water management.
• Development of training programmes/seminars for desalination and advanced desalination solutions (e.g. RES powered systems).

General Information: The main activities of the project are the following :

• Studies of the present situation and future prospects on water management and desalination in the Eastern Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt). These studies involve :
• Analysis of the actual situation of water demand and supply in the regions under consideration. The expected development of water supply situation versus demand in the future will be also studied and linked regional social and economic development will be assessed.
• A study on the new advanced desalination technologies. Attention will be given to innovative systems using RES to minimise operating costs. Cost benefit assessment on water produced by these systems will be attempted.
• Assessment of the market potential for the installation of RES powered desalination systems in areas under risk of the Mediterranean regions involved. Necessary plant sizes for the selected areas will be identified and cost estimation on fresh water produced by RES powered desalination plants will be carried out.
• Development of a GIS Decision-Making Tool.
• Dissemination activities
• Training Programme on desalination and advanced desalination systems
• Mediterranean Seminar on the water management policies for wide implementation
• Policy formulation activities for the Eastern Mediterranean countries participating in the project
• The interrelation of fresh water price/water demand and socio-economic impacts will be analysed and the economies of scale of a wide implementation of advanced desalination systems will be examined.
• The site-specific policies for large-scale implementation schemes of decentralised water desalination plants powered by RES, assisted by the Decision-Making Tool, will be defined.