CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VIII (2) ContEurVIII2 | Page 99

SHOGHIK TADEVOSYAN
times more than the annual recharge rate, leading to the water deficit in
the Aquifer. 53
Treated wastewater reuse
In the West Bank, wastewater disposal takes place either by being
connected to the piped sewage networks or via on-site household cesspits
(septic tanks or ditches). It should be pointed out that wastewater
treatment facilities are deployed only in certain localities. Thus, only 31%
of the population is connected to the wastewater treatment network
system, and the rest relies on cesspits. Moreover, most facilities are worn
out, which often causes leakages and spillages contaminating surrounding
areas. Although about 31% of the families are connected to the
wastewater treatment network system in the West Bank, there is currently
only one operating wastewater treatment plant, which manages to treat
less than 3% of the total sewage.
In the Gaza Strip, there are three wastewater treatment plants
(WWTP) (BeitLahia, Gaza, and Rafah) and one wastewater collection
pond (Khan Yunis). Accordingly, the number of households connected to
the wastewater treatment network is higher compared to the West Bank.
Here, about two-thirds of the population (72%) is connected to the
wastewater treatment network system, and the rest regulates its
wastewater collection at the cesspools (vaults or open drains). Even
though approximately 72% of the Gaza Strip’s households’ waste is
treated, the quality of the treated water is fairly low compared to the
international standards and contains a large amount of organic loading.
Thus, the outflow of this treated water is a severe hazard to the
groundwater resources, the Mediterranean Sea, and public health in
general, and the reuse of the treated water for domestic purposes can be
dangerous. 54
Desalinated water
Israel manages to overcome its water scarcities through
desalination. However, currently, desalination is still behind in the OPTs.
In the West Bank, it is generally not implemented, and in the Gaza Strip,
it is implemented on a small-scale.

53 PWA,
2018. Gaza Water Status Report 2017.
Central
Bureau
of
Statistics,
2009,
‫الفلسطينيلإلحصاءالمركزيالجھازالفلسطينيةالوطنيةالسلطة‬ - Water Statistics in the Palestinian Territory,
http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Downloads/book1596.pdf (accessed April 28, 2019).
54 Palestinian
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