Challenges of transboundary wastewater management for Palestinian communities along the Green Line, the Israeli-Palestinian border

Abstract

The annual discharges of municipal wastewater across the Green Line (the Israeli-Palestinian “borders”) are increasing; thus a bi-national conflict exists with political, environmental, and economical dimensions. This is a challenge calling for an urgent need for effective transboundary cooperation aiming at public health and environmental protection. Based on the review of selective international and national literature, data analysis of accessible local reports and technical site visits, we demonstrate how complex transboundary wastewater management is throughout the world and on the Green Line or Israeli-Palestinian “borders” specifically. The Israeli water policy reflected by the current unilateral interventions have proved ineffective in addressing regional management of transboundary wastewater problems. This paper provides an overview of the current status of sanitation services coverage in Palestinian communities and discusses the immense challenges behind achieving sustainable wastewater treatment facilities. An example of transboundary wastewater management is presented to advance discussions on Jad Hanna wastewater treatment plant serving Palestinian communities, a recent peace building sanitation project along the Israeli-Palestinian “border”. This paper underlines effectiveness, equality, trust, transparency, benefits sharing and responsibilities as key elements of sustainable transboundary wastewater treatment management. A transboundary cooperation along the Green Line (which currently is being seen as the Israeli-Palestinian borders) to promote affordable sanitation and reuse facilities is achievable if a number of legal, political, socio-economical and environmental questions are fairly resolved.