Transcript Milan, 13 th May 2015

ICT for improved water planning and
management of the Orontes river basin
in light of climate variability and change
Dr. Simone Sala, Eng. Giovanni Formentin, Dr. Bianca Dendena, Prof.
Stefano Bocchi
Milan, 13th May 2015
Project framework
Milan, 13th May 2015
Agreements and cooperation over the Orontes
river basin
• Syrian-Turkish side
– 1939: Final Protocol to Determine the Syria - Hatay Border Delimitation: Orontes,
Karasu and Afrin rivers
– Since then, tense relationships related to the exploitation of Euphrates river
– 1980s: controversy over the Hatay region
– 2004: Free Trade Agreement
• Lebanese-Turkish side
– 1940s: first negotiations over the use of Orontes river
– 1991: Fraternity, Cooperation and Coordination Treaty, establishment of LebaneseSyrian Joint Committee for Shared Water
– 1994: Distribution of Orontes River Water Originating in Lebanese Territory
– 2001/2002: Amendment to the Agreement on the Distribution of Orontes River Water
Originating in Lebanese Territory, establishment of a special joint committee for
promoting an integrated water management framework
None of the agreements signed so far involves all the three riparian
countries
Driving pressures on Orontes water resources
Climate
change
Population
growth
Agricultural
activities
Driving pressures on Orontes water resources
Water
quantity
Water
quality
Territorial
issues
Why the ICT project?
• Understanding and managing the climatic and
anthropogenic drivers affecting water resources
• Introducing a decision supporting tool for enhancing
water allocation
• Fostering interstate research and cooperation for a
sustainable and responsible water management
Using ICT to improve water management
Record data
and information
INFORMATION &
COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
Transform data
and information
into knowledge
Broadcast &
Communicate
Information and
Knowledge
ICT PROJECT
Expand &
strengthen data
collection
Develop new
analytical tools
Develop a
geo-information
package to
disseminate
knowledge
ICT project goal
WEAP
MABIA
Elaboration of an
integrated DSS tool
Equipment
placement for data
acquisition
Identification &
mapping of entities
with water data
Preliminary
assessment of ICT
resources
MODFLOW
Strenghten the sustainable
management of water
resources in the Orontes river
basin
Exploring technical details
Milan, 13th May 2015
Hydrogeological structure
• Neogenic-quaternary aquifer
– Multilayer aquifer with
interbedding of permeable
limestones and conglomerates
and aquitards (marl)
• Cenomanian aquifer (Cretaceous)
– High permeability due to
fracturing and karst
– Low permeability strata
interbedded
• Recharge from the Lebanon and AntiLebanon ranges
• Numerous springs in both sides of
the valley
Model domain
 Covers the lower valley
and the Western range
where most of the
population lives
 Cells 200 X 200 m wide
Digital elevation model (DEM)
Model grid
Saturated thickness
Meteo stations and rainfall
Wells and springs
Well
aggregates:
in
town
centers,
simulate
the
total
discharge rate
WEAP
Major constraint:
Data availability
What’s next?
Expanded dataset
EXAMPLES OF SCENARIOS
- Area covered
- Times series
- Per capita water demand
(domestic and industrial use)
Preliminary results
• Water and climate integrated dataset under
construction
• Definition of an integrated analytic framework in
support of decision making processes
• Elaboration of a geoinformation package simulating
different scenarios for water allocation
• Policy recommendations for enhancing water
management
Bird-eye view on project results
Way forward
Milan, 13th May 2015
Lesson learnt
FACTS
Lebanon is endowed with significant water resources
BUT pressure on them is increasing
NEEDS
Resilient systems able to cope with environmental stresses
HOW?
Identification and implementation of tailored adaptation
measures focusing on AGRICULTURE
Actions to be taken
Farm level :
Policy level :
• introduce drought and
heat tolerant crops and
varieties
• adopt sustainable
agricultural practices
• enhance the efficiency
of irrigation systems
• set strategies for
agriculture and natural
resources management in
light of climate change
• enlarge the participation
of stakeholders in setting
and implementing
agricultural policies
Research :
• promote joint research programmes on water,
agriculture and climate change
• fostering the interstate cooperation in research
and practice
Dissemination
Awareness
raising
Thank you
for your kind attention!
CONTACTS
Simone Sala – [email protected]
Bianca Dendena – [email protected]
Giovanni Formentin - [email protected]
GEOLAB - Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Research
www.diprove.unimi.it/groups/agro_rg5.htm