PALESTINIAN HYDROLOGY GROUP ????td??????????????????????? Water & Environmental Resources Development???????O?µ????tT?

Project funded by:

EUROPEAN COMMISSION EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HUMANITARIAN OFFICE (ECHO) OXFAM-GB

In Coordination With: Palestinian Water Authority (PWA)

Water and Sanitation, Hygiene (WaSH) Monitoring Project: Impact of the Current Crisis in the and Summary Report # 8 (January, February, and March 2004)

In Cooperation with: Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network (PENGON)

Through the following members/organizations:

Applied Research Institute/ Jerusalem (ARIJ); Arab Studies Society- Land Research Center / (LRC); Green Peace Association/ Gaza Strip (GPA); Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees/ (PARC); Palestinian Environmental Protection Society/ (PEPS)

For more information, please call: Eng. Basema Bashir/ PHG Tel. 02/6565887 or 02/6565890 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http:// www.phg.org/campaign WaSH related needs in selected Palestinian communities during January, February, and March 2004.

1.

Jalbun, Faqqu’a, ‘,’Arrana, Raba, , and ‘Aba al Sharqiyah are all communities located in the eastern part of Jenin Governorate. Since the start of the Intifada in September 2000 and until now, these communities have been facing serious and consistent problems which are only getting worse after each season. These conditions are heightened by the current difficult economic situation, under which family income is decreasing and there remains no sign that there will be a solution to their water problem. The problems that these communities have been facing in the water sector are primarily related to following reasons: 1. Unavailability of reliable water source, and 2. Unavailability of a water network.

Jalbun community has no water or wastewater networks and no defined water source. The only source of water available for the community (as well as the other 6 communities) is Abu ‘Ahed well located in Deir Ghazala community, which is located more than 5 kms away. The subsequent price of water per cubic meter through tankers costs about 15 NIS.

As mentioned, ‘Abu ‘Ahed well is the only source of water for the above mentioned seven communities and the water coming from this well is not enough to cover their needs . Given the reliance on this source for transport of water through tankers, people are routinely forced to wait for an entire day, and sometimes for two days , in order to get their turn for getting water through tankers.

In addition, the Apartheid Wall surrounds Jalbun from three sides (north, south and east), leaving the western side as the only entrance to the community. This problem is doubled by the flying checkpoint which is stationed from time to time on this only entrance to the community, delaying and in many cases forcing tankers to return and not enter the community to deliver the needed water. Also due to the Apartheid Wall, about 2000 dunums of land planted with olive trees and used as pastures for the community’s livestock, were annexed from the community.

Jalbun community, which relies completely on cisterns during winter to meet its water needs, has about 120 old cisterns that are in need of rehabilitation given their age .

Faqqu’a community also faces the same problems since it too does not have water or wastewater networks and since there is no defined source of water for the community. Again, the only available source is ‘Abu ‘Ahed well in Deir Ghazala community. Total quantities of water entering the community do not exceed 15 cubic meters per day, which is a very small quantity compared to the community’s daily needs.

2. Northern part of the West Bank

The following table outlines major problems in some communities in the Northern part of the West Bank:

Table 1: Effect on selected communities in the northern part of the West Bank. No. Community Governorate Main Problem name 1 'Asira al Qibliya, These communities do not have water Madama, 'Urif networks and the main source of water is cisterns. The second source is tanker water transported from a Mekorot connection in Huwwara (about 15 Km away). Tankers transporting water from this connection are always harassed by the Israeli police and soldiers which caused the increase of water price from 10 to14 NIS / m3. 2 Salim, 'Azmut, Nablus These communities have water Deir al Hatab networks and are supplied through the same line supplying water to Alon Moreh settlement; therefore, quantities supplied to these communities are completely controlled by this settlement and most of the time, pressure of water in the lines is never enough to supply the needed quantity of water to these communities. One of the main sources of income for the communities is livestock, requiring large amounts of water, but the problem is that all roads leading to the community are closed by Israeli forces and therefore, tankers are not able to enter and transfer water to the community from other sources.

3 Silat adh Dhahr Jenin The main source of water for the community is from Mekorot Company through Homesh settlement. Supplied quantities to the community were No. Community Governorate Main Problem name reduced from 11,000 m3 to only 3,000 m3 per month which forced people to buy tanker water from Jaba' community which costs 18 NIS per m3. 4 Tell, Sarra, 'Iraq Nablus These communities do not have water Burin networks and the main source of water is through tankers transported from a Mekorot connection on the main road to Sarra community. This road is closed several times during the month due to different excuses, most often named as “security reasons.” Therefore, people are unable to get the needed quantit y of water from this connection. 5 Qaryut, Jalud, Nablus These communities do not have water Talfit networks. Though they used to be supplied by tankers through a Mekorot connection, the route to this connection was completely closed and the people of t hese communities were forced to break the main line in order to get the necessary water for drinking purposes. 6 Khirbet 'Atuf A small community located near Tammon, livestock serves as one of the main sources of income for the community (about 10,000 heads). People used to get the needed quantities of water from Shibly Spring which is about 15 km away, but due to closure of the main road, they are now forced to transport water from al Fara’a Spring which is about 28 km away from the community. The price for this tanker water has also increased from 10 to 15 NIS per m3.

3.

On January 2nd , 2004, Israeli army bulldozers destroyed most internal roads in the town of Beit Ummer in the Hebron governorate , under the pretext that stones were thrown from the town at Israeli cars passing main road number 60 to Hebron. As a result, local streets were dug up, earth mounds were set up and water lines were destroyed.

According to Beit Ummer municipality, the total material losses in water infrastructure are estimated at 3000 US dollars from this incursion alone.

Water pouring from fractured water pipes Photo courtesy of LRC

A pool created by fractured water pipes Photo courtesy of LRC

A fractured water pipe can be seen in front of the house Photo courtesy of LRC

One of the earth mounds set-up by army bulldozers in the town blocking passage from one area to another. A mobile water tanks can be seen in the background. Photo courtesy of LRC

People in Beit Ummar, Safa, and Surif are not able to reach the Public Health Center (PHC) in Beit Ummar because of closure of the main entrance to the village by a steel gate . In addition to the earth mounds closing the communities’ entrances , a curfew was imposed on Beit Ummar, which lasted from the 2nd to 10th of January, 2004. Closures also affected the movement of maintenance teams to rehabilitate and fix the damaged water networks in these communities. Twenty roof tanks were damaged during Israeli closure of the community.

In addition, Mekorot Company reduced the water supply to Beit Ummer to only 80% of the “normal” water supply. In Safa and Surif, the reduction is down to 85% and 72% of “normal” supply respectively.

In general, mobile checkpoints and earth mounds are affecting the movement of both water tankers and even people who need to reach the Public Health Center in Hebron Governorate. Due to these mobile checkpoints and earth mounds, the current supply of tankers in Beit Awwa is only 50% of the “normal” supply. On the other hand, the Fureidis/Za’tarah checkpoint is highly affecting the water supply through tankers to Jubbat Adh Dhid, Beit Ta’mir and Za’tara communities where supply for Jubbat Adh Dhid only receives about 67% of the needed quantity.

Mekorot Company reduced the supply to Beit Awwa, Beit Ta’mir and Za’tara to only 66%, 66% and 60% of the “normal” supply respectively, and people are forced to compensate the needed quantities through tankers whenever it is possible. Supply of tankers in Za’tara is up to about 500% in light of the need to fill the gap created by the Mekorot reduction.

Efrata checkpoint, located between Efrata and Jurat ash Sham’a, is highly affecting the movement of the maintenance teams trying to reach Wadi an Nis community to rehabilitate the water network. At the same time, the checkpoint, coupled with the placement of earthmounds , is prohibiting people from reaching Public Health Centers. Supply by Mekorot Company for this community is only about 83% of the normal supply.

In Wadi Rahhal, earth mounds closing the main road of the community are highly affecting the movement of the people and their ability to reach the Public Health Center, as well as the delivery of water through tankers. Of the water tankers needing to pass this road, only enough to meet about 70% of the need is actually being delivered. The same applies to Al Asakira community, where mobile checkpoints and earth mounds are affecting the movement of people and tankers in the community. Water tankers, maintenance teams and people are delayed and sometimes completely prohibited from movement in and out of the community, and the reduction of supply by Mekorot Company to this community to only 70% of the “normal” supply worsens the situation still.

4. Governorate

According to Bethlehem Water Authority, the Israeli water company Mekorot reduced water quantities provided to the Palestinian villages south and south east of Bethlehem starting from the beginning of March 2004. Mekorot officials c laim that the reduction is due to maintenance work being done on the wells located in the area. The reduction is estimated at 30%. However, this reduction doesn't affect the Israeli colonies in the area. The number of Palestinian communities affected by this reduction is 15.

Table 2 Palestinian community in affected by Mekorot water reduction in March

No. Community Community name ID 1 452335 Beit Ta'mir 2 452360 Za'tara 3 452375 Al Fureidis 4 452420 Harmala 5 452425 Abu Nujeim 6 452440 Al Ma'sara 7 452445 Wadi an Nis 8 452460 Jurat ash Sham'a 9 452465 Khallet ‘Afana 10 452480 Umm Salamuna 11 452495 Tuqu' 12 452500 Marah Rabah 13 452520 Khirbet Tuqu' 14 452535 Al Maniya 15 452565 Kisan

The total population for the above -mentioned communities exceeds 18,000 capita. It is noteworthy that this water shortage was enforced until the end of March 2004.

5. Qalqiliya Governorate

Since the start of construction on the Apartheid Wall in the West B ank, 22 communities were directly affected across all sectors in the Qalqiliya Governorate. Eighteen ground water wells were completely isolated and separated from communities, in addition to the groundwater wells that are located in what has been declared “security areas” near the Apartheid Wall. Since it is very well known that these wells are the main source of water for domestic and agricultural use in these communities, they are subsequently facing substantial problems with regards to the availability of water. In addition, permits are only given to a limited number of tankers and only during a limited time. This has prohibited thousands of farmer and tanker owners, as well as maintenance teams , from reaching these wells and the separated tankers. A summery of some of the problems in these communities can be found in the following table:

Table 3:Selected communities in Qalqiliya Governorate. No. Community name Governorate Major problems 1 Falamya Qalqiliya More than 12 thousand citrus trees are dry and dead after the destruction of the agricultural water networks and prohibition of the farmers from reaching the fields on time. 2 Jayyus Qalqiliya Seven groundwater wells are completely isolated from the community. One of the wells is not working and is in need of maintenance, which has become very complicated and nearly impossible because of new requirements and the necessary “coordination” with Israelis to obtain a permit for entering this area. For example, the maintenance teams were not allowed to enter this area to service wells 15-17/011 and 14-17/017, as well as the network, for more than two months!

Fuel tankers are also unable to enter the isolated area without permits. During the past months, owners of these wells were forced to transport fuel by hand using small containers. This is impossible during the summer where the need for both fuel and water is much more! 3 'Azzun Qalqiliya In this community, there is a significant shortage in water quantities and it is anticipated that this situation will only get worse during the summer. The same conditions apply to Jayyus, Khirbet Sir, and 'Izbat at Tabib.

There is a groundwater well in ’Azzun which has not been working for a long time. If this well is rehabilitated, it could support in solving the problem in these communities. 4 Al Funduq Qalqiliya There is a written Israeli order to demolish an agricultural pool and a cistern in addition to surrounding housing of the well. The case is currently being followed in the Israeli court.

5 'Izbat Salman and 'Izbat Qalqiliya Large agricultural areas are Jal'ud separated from these communities on the other side of the Apartheid Wall. 6 Ras at Tira and Ad Qalqiliya For these communities, Dab'a water tankers are allowed to enter the communities only when the gates are opened. As a result, tanker s can only transport water for the communities, at maximum, twice a week, which is much less than is needed to supply adequate quantities of water for the communities. 7 Habla Qalqiliya A main road with 750m length and 40m width is being constructed in the agricultural area to link Habla with Qalqiliya. This caused the destruction of many agricultural water networks. 8 'Azzun 'Atma, Ras at Qalqiliya These communities are Tira, Ad Dab'a, Wadi ar completely isolated from Rasha, 'Arab ar the other communities in Ramadin al Janubi and the Governorate. Entering 'Arab ar Ramadin ash these communities is Shamali allowed only through a permit and during the opening hours of the Gates. This caused the isolation of these communit ies and prohibits maintenance teams, local and international NGOs from entering the communities.

6. Gaza Strip

During the past three months, Israeli bulldozers and tanks have been the main cause of destruction in the water infrastructure in many communities in the Gaza Strip. The following table summarizes the destruction by location:

Table 4:Selected communities in Gaza Strip No. Community Name Destroyed Parts Estimated Cost in US$ Deir al Balah Destruction of the main line from 5,000 the eastern well (12”) with a length of 100m in addition to 5 valves. Rafah Camp Secondary lines of about 200m 3,000 (3/4 “) and valves in Yebna camp and block ‘O’ Al Mawasi (Khan Agricultural well in addition to 10,000 Yunis) agricultural water network. Beit Hanun Land leveling caused the 2,500 destruction of the agricultural water network. Rafah The main line supplying water to 8,000 Al Salam neighborhood (4”UPVC) in addition to valves and household connections. Rafah Camp Secondary water lines in Block 20,000 ‘O’, al Qassas and al Barazil neighborhoods; length of the lines is about 200m (3/4”) in addition to wastewater connections to more than 50 houses. Tall as Sultan Camp Destruction of two wells: Well 40,000 #153 ( Al Eskan well) and Well #144 ( Canada well) in addition to the main water network. Wadi as Salqa Land leveling of more than 50 30,000 dunums that included trees and green houses in addition to agricultural networks and water network to the nearby houses (3/4 “) with a length of 150m with the connected valves. Al Qarara Land leveling of agricultural land 2,500 and the destruction of an agricultural well and a water main line (2”) with a length of 30m Al Mughraqa (Abu Destruction of the main water line 5,000 Middein) (4”) in addition to a secondary line (3/4”) and valves and the destruction of the water connection to the Governmental Clinic. Deir al Balah Land leveling in Al Mahatta area 9,000 caused the destruction of the agricultural and the water networks (3/4”) 'Abasan al Kabira Partial destruction of agricultural 7,000 well and land leveling which caused the destruction of a main water line (2”) with a length of 120m. Khan Yunis Destruction of 6 manholes, a 4,000 secondary water line (3/4”) with a length of 200m in Al Namsawi neighborhood.