Biography:

Prof. Hani Abu Qdais is Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering at the Civil Engineering Department of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). Having more than 25 years of diverse experience in public, private and academic sectors, Dr. Abu Qdais has obtained more than US$ one million funds for his research projects. He has published more than 40 papers in international refereed journals and proceedings of international conferences. Most of his publications are focusing on integrated solid waste and water management. Furthermore, Prof. Abu Qdais has served as a consultant for several national and international agencies, such as the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, UNDP, GIZ, USAID, WHO, IDRC, FAO and projects funded by the World Bank. He has served as Director of Queen Rania Center for Environmental Science and Technology, Dean of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, and recently served as an Assistant to the President of Jordan University of Science and Technology.

Abstract:

Presentation Title: Environmental Impacts of Mega Desalination Projects: Red?Dead Sea Conveyor Abstract: Jordan suffers from a chronic water shortage. Recently, Jordan is considered the third poorest country worldwide. The per capita share from water resources is less than 100 cubic meters, as compared to internationally recognized water scarcity line of 500 cubic meters. To solve the water scarcity problem, Jordan is seriously considering a mega desalination project that connects the Red Sea with the Dead Sea by a conveyor. The difference in the level will be utilized to generate hydropower that will be used for water desalination. Fresh water will be produced and supplied to Jordanian cities and towns that suffer from water shortage. The brine that will be produced as a result of desalination will be disposed to the already shrinking Dead Sea, so as to minimize shrinkage of such important water body. The current paper highlights the uniqueness of the Dead?Red Sea project, and identifies both positive and adverse environmental impacts of such an important project.