Assessing the impacts of uncontrolled artesian flows on the management of groundwater resources in the Jordan Valley

Abstract

The deep wells drilled along the eastern escarpment of the Jordan Valley penetrate confined aquifers that produce thermal and mineralized artesian water. Uncontrolled flows from poorly constructed and uncapped artesian wells over the last 30 years have caused the deterioration of the quality of shallow groundwater and surface water. They also have been accelerating the discharge of saline water from deep aquifers and have caused the loss of shallow fresh groundwater resources through the downward percolation of fresh water to replace the extracted deep salty groundwater. A lack of adequate controls on the construction and maintenance of artesian wells is leading to widespread water quality problems in the region, which limits the ability of future generations to access high-quality water, a clear breach of the principle of intergenerational equity.