Palestinian Hydrology Group

For Water and Environmental Resources Development

` Most Palestinians still rely
on cesspits and septic
tanks for sewage disposal.

` The wastewater network

coverage extends to 65%
of Gazans and 30% of
West Bankers.

` Cesspits
p are p particularly
y
problematic as they are
usually not regularly
serviced, which results in
the infiltration of
wastewater into the
ground hence causing
pollution to the resources.
Dear Sea
Uzi Landau, Israeli Infrastructure Minister: "They get clean
water from
f us, andd in
i return they
h give
i us sewage. This
Thi
destroys nature, and I would also say that this is the way
that wicked people behave.“

- Geopolitical context in the oPt has delayed the progress

in the sector especially when related to activities that
are located in Area C which comprises more than 60% of
the West Bank.
Bank Obviously,
Ob io sl the majority
majorit of wastewater
aste ater
collection and treatment facilities will have to lie or at
least go through these areas and thus any requests
submitted to the JWC
J for such projects
p j have to be also
taken up by the Israeli Civil Administration (CA).
Sanitation projects have been pending approval for
years on the tables of JWC or the CA.
- Unacceptable pre-conditional approvals were granted to
treat sewage generated d byb Israeli
l settlements,
l an issue
that is completely refused by Palestinians as they fear
legitimizing these illegal settlements.

- High 10/10 treatment standards were also demanded

from Palestinians requiring advanced treatment
technologies, high initial investment costs and needs
technical skills and expertise

- “Trans-boundary wastewater” treated inside Israel not only

drains Palestinian tax money but reduces the Palestinian
potential for establishing their own treatment facilities and
generates employment opportunities in Israel aside from
introducing additional water quantities that may be reused
for a variety
y of p
purposes
p mainlyy in agricultural
g sector.
‒ Wastewater discharged from
settlements

◦ Israeli settlements discharge their

untreated wastewater to Palestinian
land causing serious pollution
threats
h to water resources

◦ Untreated WW from Jerusalem Area

◦ Industrial Israeli settlements in the

West Bank cause serious threats to
groundwater sources and polluting
land.
` Contamination of water sources and the surrounding
environment nuisance to the residents especially in
terms of odor and aesthetic.

` Ecological problems including the loss of biodiversity

and soil and land and crop contamination.

` Endangering marine life, other than the swimmers

seeking the only recreational resort, along the coast of
Gaza serving contaminated fish on the plates of Gazans
as a result of the disposal of partially or untreated
wastewater in the Sea