Red Sea – Dead SeaWater Conveyance Study

Program

Athens, Greece

March 23, 2009

The Dead Sea is shrinking at an alarming rate

The Dead Sea Environment is undergoing serious degradation

The Dead Sea . . . in time

1960 2005 2050

Computerprojection

Jordan River

Rainfall90 mm

Evaporation1,500 mm

10% of Jordan River flows to the Dead Sea

Water Balance of the Dead Sea

Dead Sea Surface area

Current = 630 km2

Historical = 950 km2

Dead Sea

Groundwater inflow

Groundwater inflow

90% used by agriculture and potable water

Consequences can be serious

…develop TOR …

The Process Began 4 Years Ago ...

2002: Initial request from Jordan

… study …

2003

May 2005TOR agreed;

Letter to World Bank

June 2005:Initial Donors

Briefing

2002 2004 2007 2008

Dec 2006:Multidonor TF

established

2009/10

procurement and

public

consultation

raise funds

2005 2006

Letter of Agreement Signed and Provided to the World Bank

May 9, 2005

The Beneficiary Parties announce their agreement and commitment to move forward

May 22, 2005May 22, 2005

Objectives of the Study Program

Investigate the feasibility of reversing the environmental degradation of the Dead Sea Region by transferring water from the Red Sea

• Investigate the technical, economic, financial, environmental, social and institutional issues

• Examine the alternatives to the proposed action, including taking no action

• Evaluate whether the overall benefits exceed the costs to determine the feasibility of the concept

• Undertake the study in a way that reflects and respects the unique context of the region

Implementation of the Objectives

1. A Feasibility Study (tendered, May 2008)

2. Red Sea and Dead Sea Studies (Expressions of Interest due 13 April 2009)

3. An Environment and Social Assessment Study (tendered May 2008)

4. A Study of the Alternatives (Sole sourced, will start April 2009)

Public Consultation and Disclosure

• Public consultations are an integral part of the preparation of the Study Program

• Draft and final documents will be disclosed to the public at various points in the study process

Study TimelineFrom Start of Consultants’ Work

• Phase 1 – Inception Reports, Review of Existing Studies, and Identification of Gaps in Knowledge

• Phase 2 – Preliminary Draft Reports

• (Dead Sea and Red Sea Studies)

• Phase 3 – Draft Final and Final Reports and Integration of Sub-Studies

…… 4 months

…… 21 months

(…18 months)

…… 5 months

…… 30 monthsTOTAL

Financing(as of December 2008, US $ millions)

Multidonor Trust Fund

France 4.0Greece 1.0Italy 2.7Japan 2.0S. Korea 1.0Netherlands 1.5Sweden 3.0USA 1.5Total 16.7

Expertise Required for Red and Dead Sea Studies

• Prior and significant expertise in the subject area. Expertise in numerical modeling of hydrodynamics with particular emphasis on sea water stratified conditions and long-term simulations.

• Previous work and recognized experience in the oceanographic and limnological processes of the Red Sea or the Dead Sea would be an advantage.

Expertise Required (Con’t)

• For the Dead Sea Study: expertise in numerical hydrodynamic and water quality modeling as well as water mixing geochemistry.

• For the Red Sea Study: expertise in physical oceanography and hydrodynamic and ecological modeling of large water bodies including shallow waters/coastal areas.

Dead Sea Study

Physical, chemical and biological properties of the Dead Sea and the impact of mixing Red Sea

and Dead Sea waters in the Dead Sea.

Assess impacts of adding seawater plus reject brine (in varying proportions) to the Dead Sea

on the water balance, limnology, chemistry and micro-biology of the Dead Sea. Based on these

findings provide specific answers to a set of questions contained in the Terms of Reference

Red Sea Study

• Identify and assess all relevant oceanographic and environmental impacts of the intake of sea water from the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat, under different intake and inflow ranges scenarios, up to 2 billion cubic meters/year

• The analysis shall be developed through a first phase of existing data collection and targeted monitoring, followed by the assessment of future effects and impacts, which may entail the building of a new (or refinement of an existing) integrated hydrodynamic and water quality model.

Procurement

• World Bank does the short list, selection and signs the contracts

• “Quality Based Selection” methodology

• Separate short list for each study, not more than 6 firms on a short list

• Not more than 2 lead firms from any one country on a short list

Procurement (Con’t)

• A firm cannot be both a lead firm and a sub-consultant for the same study

• A sub-consultant can be associated with as many lead firms as it wishes

• Open to firms, research institutes and universities

Next Steps for Red Sea Studyand Dead Sea Study

Expression of Interest Advertisements published

March 13, 2009

Due date for Expressions of Interest April 13, 2009

The two short lists determined Late April 2009

Requests for Proposals sent to Short Listed Firms

Late April 2009

Proposals due Late May 2009

Studies Commence June 2009

For Information

Alexander McPhailStudy Team Leader

The World Bank+1 202 458-2125

amcphail@worldbank.org

EOI and draft Terms of Reference:www.worldbank.org/rds