Applying the Conceptual-Model of Progressive Development to the Contaminated Aquifer Underlying Israel’s Coastal Plain

Yakov Livshitz, Arie S. Issar

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DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2010.25046                

Abstract

The last ten years of moderate to low precipitation rates in Israel may be a confirmation of the forecast, based on historical data, that recent, repeated droughts are a function of global warming. In this case the conventional policy of “Sustainable Development” is not sufficient to avert the impact of diminution of precipitation on Israel’s water supply. Instead, a policy of “Progressive Development” is proposed, which aims to exploit, stage by stage, first the water resources most available and at lowest cost until they are ex-hausted. Once this stage is under execution, progressive steps are taken to develop more costly resources by advanced methods of exploitation. A case study of such a development plan is the controlled deterioration of the water quality of the coastal plain aquifer of Israel.

Keywords

Progressive Development, Global Warming, Water Resources, Water Quality, Coastal Aquifer

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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