Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector

Call for papers for the 1st International Conference on "Coastal Zone Management of River Deltas and Low Land Coastlines": CZMRDLLC 2010

2009-02-03T00:00:00Z

The coastal zone is a dynamic area of natural change and of increasing human use. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is a dynamic, multidisciplinary and iterative process to promote sustainable management of coastal zones. As ICZM is considered as a key to the sustainable planning and development of densely populated delta areas worldwide, there is an increasing demand on sharing information, experience and knowledge in solving different coastal engineering problems. Delta and low land areas are in danger from modern civilization and may retreat in the near future. Scientists have the responsibility to stop the degradation of these areas. Accurate measures of coastal changes are a major concern for coastal zone management and can provide decision-makers with valuable information for integrated sustainable development of the River Deltas.

The main objective of the conference that will take place in Alexandria (Egypt) in 6-10 March 2010; is to bring engineers, scientists, managers, government agencies and officials world wide to exchange information and address the outstanding problems associated with coastal erosion / accretion / subsidence occurring on shorelines of river deltas and low land areas being increasingly influenced by manmade interference. Another objective is to propose sustainable solutions to minimize and adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change in the framework of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

The technical program will consist of parallel sessions with invited keynote speakers. Papers are solicited on the themes outlined, falling within the scope of the conference. Abstracts should be submitted for the consideration of the scientific committee, following the guidelines established on the website;www.nwrc-egypt.info

Abstracts should clearly state the purpose, results and conclusion of the work to be described in the final paper. The final decision for publication in the proceedings will be based on the full paper manuscript. If accepted, papers must be presented by authors at the conference.

Abstracts and full paper manuscripts should be submitted within the set time schedule given below. Authors interested in journal publication will be assisted to submit their work to journals such as journals of AGU, ASCE, Coastal Research, NWRC, Egypt and Shore & Beach. The production of a single supplemental indexed journal issue will be explored.

The registration form is available online at the conference website.

The conference language is English.

Extended deadline for abstracts: March 6, 2009.

Post-Doctoral position: Vegetation Transport in Irrigation Canals, Cemagref, Montpellier, France

2009-02-03T00:00:00Z

This Post Doc researcher will be incorporated to a research group specialized in hydraulic modeling and management of irrigation canals and rivers. He/she will work in particular for a project dealing with the development of vegetation in canals, its management by hydraulic methods and its impact on water quality.
The researcher will develop experiments in real-scale canals to understand and quantify transport processes in irrigation canals, simulate these processes by computational fluid dynamics tools, and then develop one-dimensional models in order to simulate management strategies of irrigation networks.

Background : PhD in open-channel hydraulics/fluid mechanics

For further information, contact Gilles Belaud.

Closing date: March 15, 2009.

Mini seawater desalinator introduced by Danfoss

2009-02-03T00:00:00Z

Shown by Danfoss at the EuroMed exhibition in Jordan last November, the WaterCube 2 is a small domestic seawater reverse-osmosis desalination unit with a capacity of 5,300 L/d.

Intended for the large villa or small hotel, the unit takes up little more room than a fridge-freezer and will consume a mere 0.8 kW/h at full capacity, corresponding to <3.5 kWh/m³.

The WaterCube 2 is manufactured from high-quality components with all wetted parts made from duplex and super duplex steel, while all other steel parts use stainless steel 316. The high-pressure pump unit is Danfoss' own APP 1.0 and the membranes are custom-made by Hydranautics.

The footprint of only 540 x 500 mm ensures that the water purifier will fit in any environment and, with a height of 950 mm, is easily installed running off a 240 V grounded outlet (3 phases, 50 or 60 Hz).

The water purification process has been adjusted to minimise the load on the membranes significantly reducing the risk of fouling. Only 20% of the total volume of water passing through the machine is processed into drinking water. This way, the salt content in the brine is only marginally higher than that of the feedwater.

Software release : The ETo calculator

2009-02-05T00:00:00Z

The ETo calculator is a software developed by the Land and Water Division of FAO. Its main function is to calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) according to FAO standards.

ETo represents the evapotranspiration rate from a reference surface, not short of water. A large uniform grass field is considered worldwide as the reference surface. The reference crop completely covers the soil, is kept short, well watered and is actively growing under optimal agronomic conditions.

The ETo calculator assesses ETo from meteorological data by means of the FAO Penman-Monteith equation. This method has been selected by FAO as the reference because it closely approximates grass ETo at the location evaluated, is physically based, and explicitly incorporates both physiological and aerodynamic parameters.

ETo calculator version 3.1, issued in January 2009, is written in Borland DELPHI and runs in the DOS environment. The program is available in English, and is distributed as Land and Water Digital Media Series No 36. It includes a Reference Manual, which explains the use of the computer program.

The ETo Calculator is a public domain software, and an installation disk (1.5 Mb) and a software copy of the Reference Manual can be freely downloaded. If the ETo calculator software is correctly installed, it occupies less than 2 Mb on disk.

Land and Water Discussion Paper # 7:: Coping with water scarcity: what role for biotechnologies?

2009-02-05T00:00:00Z

Biotechnology tools can play a valuable role in addressing the challenge of water scarcity in developing countries, but many applications of biotechnology relevant to water scarcity have not yet delivered practical solutions to farmers.

AquaCrop: the new FAO crop-model to simulate yield response to water

2009-02-05T00:00:00Z

AquaCrop, the FAO crop-model to simulate yield response to water of several herbaceous crops, is now available for download. It is designed to balance simplicity, accuracy and robustness, and is particularly suited to address conditions where water is a key limiting factor in crop production. AquaCrop is a companion tool for a wide range of users and applications.

2009-02-05T00:00:00Z

Drain on the Mediterranean: rising water usage

2009-02-05T00:00:00Z

Arif Karaoglu recalls the days when Lake Aksehir lapped at the foot of the village mosque and residents had to build high walls to protect their homes from flooding. Now, when he looks out across the landscape, he sees only a vast, sandy plateau. Until recently, a body of water three times the size of Washington, D.C., filled the plain.

"Dust," laments Mr. Karaoglu, who moved to the village in 1942. "There's nothing but dust."

Dubbed the country's grain warehouse, central Turkey's Konya plain has long been known for its beautiful lakes and vast fields, which produce 10 percent of Turkey's agricultural yield. But both are now threatened by a severe water shortage that dramatically illustrates a broader regional crisis.

Across the Mediter-ranean, water is being pumped out of the earth at an unsustainable pace. In Italy's Milan region, groundwater levels have fallen by more than 80 feet over the past 80 years. So much water has been pumped from the Jeffara aquifer in Libya that even if all withdrawals stopped, it would take 75 years for the aquifer to return to its original level, estimates a 2005 report by the Blue Plan – a United Nations program on development and the environment in the Mediterranean.

As a result of this profligate water use, at least 50 percent of the region's wetlands are at risk, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In addition, more than 100,000 square miles of coastal regions – roughly the same area as the United Kingdom – are under threat of desertification.

Near Konya, water pumped from underground to feed the thirsty crops above is part of the same closed system as the lakes. The cultivation of new land, along with a transition to more thirsty crops like sugar beet, has increased water use beyond what is naturally replaced, causing groundwater levels to fall and the lakes to dry up. More than a decade of drought and rising summer temperatures – which causes increased evaporation – have exacerbated the situation and laid bare the magnitude of the problem.

"These lakes are 5 million years old," says Guler Gocmez, a geologist at Selçuk University in Konya, who has been studying the region's lakes for the past 25 years. "There's always been water here, but that might not be true much longer."

The Turkish government has a plan to divert water from the Goksu River to the Konya Basin for agricultural use and to fill the depleted lakes and wetlands. To date, the focus of most countries confronting water shortages has been to increase supply, often through massive infrastructure projects like dams, says Gael Thivet of the Blue Plan. More emphasis, experts say, needs to be placed on saving or reusing water, as well as on reducing demand.

Doubled water usage

Freshwater has always been a scarce commodity in the semi-arid Mediterranean. It has 7 percent of the world's population, but only 3 percent of its freshwater resources. And the UN-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predicts that global warming may lead to less rainfall and more evaporation in the region, further reducing the supply of water.

Half the world's "water poor" – that is, people whose access to freshwater is deemed inadequate – live in the Mediterranean region, mostly on the sea's eastern and southern shores. By 2025, the Blue Plan predicts that due to population growth and expanding agriculture, the number of water poor in the region could be as high as 165 million in 2025, up from 108 million in 2000.

But human demand for this vital resource is booming. During the second half of the 20th century, water usage in the Mediterranean doubled. While a handful of countries, like Israel and Cyprus, have reduced or stabilized their water use, in most countries the demand for water is expected to continue to rise in coming decades.

"We started talking about it more than 30 years ago," says Michael Scoullos, chairman of the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean, a network of organizations working on water issues in the region. "The pioneers are always considered Cassandras – this is the problem. But now clearly we've reached the crisis point.... We've done just enough to break and slow down the destruction, but not to reverse the situation."

In general, the countries with the fastest-growing water demands are those on the Mediterranean's southern and eastern shores, where the population is set to increase by 92 million in less than two decades. Irrigation is also set to expand dramatically by 2030, rising 38 percent in the south and 58 percent to the east.

In Konya, as elsewhere in the Mediterranean, agriculture is the biggest user of water. Around the city, vast fields of wheat, barley, corn, and beets are grown, much of it irrigated with groundwater from the same hydrologic system used by the disappearing lakes. An estimated 70 percent of the water consumption in the area is used for agriculture, much of it drawn from illegally drilled wells, says Dr. Gocmez.

The government is beginning to try to shut down the illegal wells, but it's a slow and difficult process. If nothing is done, she warns, "Konya will turn into a desert."

Digging 184 feet deeper to get water

About 50 miles from Taskupru, Farmer Omer Karayer is well aware that there is a problem. Ten years ago, his well was 16 feet deep. This year, he had to dig nearly 200 feet to reach water.

"It's obvious that the water is going," he says with a shrug. "My children won't be able to farm here."

Although he knows water is scarce, Mr. Karayer still grows sugar beets, the most water-intensive crop cultivated in the area. Gocmez tries to convince him to switch to a less wasteful irrigation method that the government is promoting, but he thinks it is too expensive. Even with a government grant covering 50 percent of the cost, Gocmez admits it would take the farmer an estimated two years to make back his capital investment.

But for Taskupru, it may be too late. "There are only old people left in each house," says the village's elected leader Cemal Somuncular, who still owns the decaying nets he once used to catch lobster and fish. "The village will disappear unless the lake comes back."

EC//Kosovo: Feasibility Study on Drinking Water Quality in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244)

2009-02-09T00:00:00Z

There is a job opportunity, for a short term assignment for a FWC contract in Kosovo: Feasibility Study on Drinking Water Quality in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244)

Please read the terms of reference again the capabilities of your CV.

The mission will be composed of 2 experts with the following profiles and qualifications:

Expert, Category I (Team Leader) (88 working days)

Qualification and skills

- Education at least up to Master degree (where a university degree has been awarded on completion of four years study in a university or equivalent institution) with 15 years experience or bachelor's degree with 16 years experience or 18 years experience in environmental engineering, hydrology, activities related to drinking water quality standards, sanitation, or associated fields;

- Fluent in English;

- Computer literate.

General professional experience

Minimum 15 years of professional experience in the fields mentioned above.

Specific professional experience

- Experience in at least one, preferable two projects, dealing with preparation of feasibility study on drinking water standards

- Experience in water standards monitoring

- Experience in drafting or implementing guidelines and/or emergency action plans in regard to water quality failure and water emergency actions.

- Experience in preparation of technical specifications, terms of references and budget cost estimates for national and/or EU funded project

- Relevant experience in another Western Balkan or accession country will be considered as an advantage.

Expert, Category III (Water supply expert) (88 working days)

Qualification and skills

- Education at least up to Bachelor degree (where a university degree has been awarded on completion of three years study in a university or equivalent institution) or 5 years experience in environmental engineering, hydrology, activities related to drinking water quality standards, sanitation, or associated fields;

- Fluent in English;

- Computer literate.

General professional experience

At least 5 years of professional experience in the fields mentioned above.

Specific professional experience

- Experience in at least one project dealing with assessment and/or equipping and/or monitoring of drinking water systems

- Experience in preparation of technical specifications, terms of references and budget cost estimates for national and/or EU funded project

- Relevant experience in another Western Balkan or accession country will be considered as an advantage.

The project is expected to commence on 9 March 2009.

Let me know if this is of any interest to you, if there is no conflict of interest, so we can discuss further. For more details do not hesitate to contact me via mail

Note that English is the required language and the deadline for submission is 17/02.

2009-02-09T00:00:00Z

Expert Group on 'Diversified funding streams for university-based research : impact of external project-based research funding on financial management in universities' - Final report (2008).

2009-02-09T00:00:00Z

Coming up with the first overview of external research funding across Europe, this report underlines the shared responsabilities of universities, national governments and research funders in enhancing the financial sustainability of university-based research which underpins the long-term competitiveness of European Research.

The state of our rivers: EU-wide survey results

2009-02-10T00:00:00Z

A Europe-wide survey of rivers and streams has tested water samples for a range of polar organic pollutants. The study highlights the problems associated with the persistence of industrial pollutants and monitoring emerging pollutants.

The continual entry of organic pollutants derived from personal care products, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals via wastewaters into rivers and streams is a cause for concern. Little is known about the long-term, potentially toxic effects of these increasingly complex mixtures of pollutants. Water-soluble compounds can also contaminate ground and drinking waters.

The survey was conducted by collecting water from 122 sampling points from over 100 bodies of water throughout Europe in autumn 2007, representing a range of sizes, from small streams to large rivers. They were in varying states of cleanliness, from unspoilt to contaminated. 27 European Countries, most of which were EU Member States, were covered.

The research team, led by the European Commission's independent Joint Research Centre (JRC), identified the concentrations of the target pollutants and the number of times they were detected in rivers. Relatively speaking, the most frequently detected compounds at noteworthy concentrations were benzotriazole, tolytriazole (which are anti-rust substances), caffeine, carbamazepine (a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy) and nonylphenoxy-acetic acid, a degradation product of industrial surfactants used in cleaning products. These agents are suspected to disrupt the reproductive functions of humans and wildlife - known as so-called 'endocrine disrupting compounds'. The study detected only low concentrations of pesticides. However, the sampling was conducted in the autumn when few pesticides are used.

Rivers with the relatively highest amounts of perfluorinated acids (PFOS and PFOA), were identified. These chemicals are major industrial pollutants and can persist in the environment. They have been detected in human blood worldwide. The study suggests that the Rivers Po in Italy, Danube, Scheldt in Belgium and the Netherlands, Rhone in France and the Wyre in the UK contained significant amounts of PFOA, although not all major European rivers were tested. PFOS was found in similar amounts, but its emissions were more widely distributed throughout Europe.

Overall, the cleanest water was sampled from areas with a low population density. Only 10 per cent (11 of the 122 samples) of the samples contained virtually no chemicals.

The study also highlights the need to anticipate environmental problems stemming from the use of chemicals in Europe. In this context the new European legislation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances), which requires companies to provide data on the amounts of chemicals used and to perform environmental risk assessments, will contribute also to the quantitative and qualitative understanding of water pollution.

Regional Water Cooperation and Peacebuilding in the Middle East - Case study now online

2009-02-10T00:00:00Z

In the semi-arid to arid climatic conditions of the Middle East, water resources management is a contentious issue between parties sharing the same water resources. On the other hand, solving water problems has been identified as a topic of common interest to Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians. The implementation of joint water-related projects is therefore seen as a hopeful sign and related projects have received substantial funding from the international donor community, especially the US and EU.

This case study seeks to deepen the understanding of how the peacebuilding effects of regional water cooperation can best be harnessed, supported and sustained. It analyses two existing initiatives involving Jordanians, Israelis and Palestinians: the Good Water Neighbors project and the Regional Water Data Banks Project. The case analysis focusses on the design and implementation of cooperative processes, as both the form and content of cooperation are critical for peacebuilding. Building on the analysis of the two cases, as well as on broader knowledge on water cooperation, the report concludes with recommendations for funding agencies and third parties.

This case study has been prepared by Adelphi Research within the framework of the EU-funded Initiative for Peacebuilding (www.initiativeforpeacebuilding.eu). The full case study report is available at: http://www.initiativeforpeacebuilding.eu/pdf/Regional_Water_Cooperation_and_Peacebuilding_in_the_Middle_East.pdf

The Mediterranean message to the 5th World Water Forum: The Beirut Input

2009-02-10T00:00:00Z

This message is a contribution to the Mediterranean input to the 5th World Water Forum.

It presents the outcomes of the 2nd Beirut Water Week and the debates concerning the Mediterranean Session of the 5th World Water Forum. The 2nd Beirut Water Week that was held in Beirut 4-7 February 2009, included 240 participants from different organisations and sectors (directors, experts, researchers and other related stakeholders) of water management in the region.
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As agreed in Tunis (15 January 2009), the overall Mediterranean Message, in addition to being an input to the strategic axes of the Ministerial Declaration of the 5th World Water Forum, addresses also the governments and stakeholders of the countries of the Union for the Mediterranean as a contribution for building a shared vision on the future of water in the region.

The participants of the Beirut Water Week acknowledge and agree with the Tunis Input (15 January 2009), which they wish to adopt in its totality. Therefore, the present message is using the language of the Tunis input to which it has added, elaborated upon and strengthened a number of points.

The Mediterranean approaches the Forum with renewed political commitment for sustainable water management through the recently adopted Ministerial Declaration at the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Water, 22 December 2008, at the Dead Sea, Jordan. The Ministerial Conference decided to elaborate a new Strategy for Water in the Mediterranean consolidating and using already existing relevant initiatives and to implement concrete projects in line with the demand of the populations. It is hoped that the Strategy will enhance cooperation and coordination on water among countries and between stakeholders, enact needed reforms and promote tangible measures.

Several recommendations were produced during interactive sessions involving all participants. These recommendations would constitute strong basis for the preparation of the Strategy and the identification of concrete projects.

Tempus IV Second Call for Proposals

2009-02-11T00:00:00Z

A Call for proposals (EAC/01/2009) has been published under the Tempus IV programme. The Call invites the submission of cooperative projects under two actions types, ‘Joint Projects' and ‘Structural Measures', from partnerships comprised of higher education institutions, enterprises, ministries, NGOs, associations etc., from the EU and the Partner Countries.

The indicative total budget for this Call amounts to approximately €53 million in total, and the individual projects grants from €0.5 to €1.5 million.

Proposals must be submitted by 28 April 2009.

Tempus information days on the Call for Proposals are being organised in partner countries. One was scheduled to take place in Morocco, yesterday. The others include:

24-25 February, Erevan, Armenia
25 February, Amman, Jordan
28 February, Beirut, Lebanon
1st March, Homs, Syria
2 March, Cairo, Egypt
4 March, Ramallah, occupied Palestinian territory
5 March, Jerusalem, Israel
6 March, Tunis, Tunisia
10 March, Alger, Algeria

The Tempus programme supports the modernisation of higher education and creates an area of co-operation in countries outside the EU. Established in 1990 the scheme covers 28 countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Second Call for Proposals Tempus information days Tempus Tempus Programme fiche and news