The main water resources in Palestine are: 1 - Surface Water “the Jordan River”. 2 - Groundwater.- Western Basin - Eastern Basin - Northeastern Basin - Coastal Basin (Gaza Aquifer) 3- Surface Runoff.
GENERAL WATER CRISIS IN PALESTINE : 1 - Insufficient supply of water . 2- “Lack of access to adequate, safe, and clean water …” Amnesty International Report, (2009) 3-“Access to water resources by Palestinians… is restricted to a level which does not meet their needs…” Amnesty International Report, (2009) 4- “The failure to develop wastewater systems is damaging. The environment and groundwater quality have been the major victims.” (World Bank Report, 2009 Pg. 20). Problems of Surface Water : •There are limited surface water resources (mainly the Jordan River) in the region. •Palestine is forbidden to use the water of Jordan river. •Jordan river is depleted day after day due to oppressive use of its water. •The excessive use of the water of Jordan river affects its flow quantities, this will lead to a failure in the natural water balance . Problems of Groundwater :
•There are substantial quantities of groundwater in the region. That’s fine, where is the problem??? - Palestine is forbidden to develop its groundwater resources, such as drilling new wells in a certain location and depth capable for supplying a good water quality and quantity. - Many of Palestinian Agricultural Wells and Springs were dried. _ The pollution sources to the groundwater.
Problems of Palestinian Water Consumption : - The minimum WHO standards is (100 l/c.d). -Average Palestinian Water consumption is: - 70 l/c.d in West Bank -L150 l/c.d in Gaza (in which 94% of this quantity is saline) _ there are many Palestinian communities consume less than 30 l/c.d of water.
Problems of Surface Runoff : •In the West Bank catchments, surface runoff constituted nearly 2.2% of the total equivalent rainfall. (Shadeed and Almasri, 2008) • A rough estimate of runoff indicates that about 169 MCM per year were generated from these catchments. (PWA) • The surface runoff consists of : - Groundwater from springs. - Runoff generated from winter storms. - Untreated industrial Problems of Wastewater : •60% of Palestinians still rely on septic tanks. • Effluent quality is poor, and there is no reuse. •Domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastewater effluents are not separated and mixed together. • Palestine faces many obstacles in order to have a permission to construct wastewater treatment plants.