Development of an integrated water management strategy for Ramallah rural areas

Abstract

The water shortage problem in Ramallah rural areas is the main issue of this research, in terms of quality, quantity, consumption rate and demand. For technical reasons, these areas are not using unconventional resources that will make water that is more available. Palestine, like other semi-arid countries, suffers from water shortage due to increasing water demand for various uses. The problem of water shortage was evident at early stages of the study when average consumption rate was half the expected demand in Ramallah area, and water quality experience gradual pollution due to improper use and poor management. The main goal of this study is to develop an integrated water management strategy for Ramallah rural areas, so that suitable solutions for the water shortage problems in these areas can be established. Thus increasing water availability by substitution the usage of fresh water resources in sectors where other available and adequate resources could e used. The integrated water management strategy is based on studying various water sector elements, mainly; water resources quality and quantity, rainwater harvesting and wastewater reuse options. This strategy was developed as follows: Firstly, data were collected from different water institutions, seconds water quality of several springs and cisterns in the area were tested, third, a questionnaire was distributed to four representative villages which included water use patterns and consumed quantities, a waste water disposal, along with prevailing water problems. Finally, the statistical package SPSS was utilized to analyse the data, the outcome of the results was used to formulate a management strategy suitable specifically for rural areas. The results of the study indicate that in the coming twenty years the area will be facing sever water problems if ground water resources will remain the only source and if the current patterns of water used are kept. Furthermore, unconventional water resources; upon proper use and management; can supply two thirds of the domestic demand in the rural areas at half of the cost for the network water, in addition to supplying low cost water to be used for local agriculture. In order to implement the proposals mentioned above, an integrated water management strategy was formulated for Ramallah area, which concentrate on the rural areas. It depends on granting a major role to local administrations and the public; financial policy that will encourage the implementation of the proposals; and a legislation plan related to water issues. A committee is suggested to be established jointly form concerned Ministries, PWA, JWU and a representative of scientific research centres in the area. This committee will coordinate the efforts, propose plans and should a technical office and financial institution, which will implement and supervise the proposed plans, supported. Finally, the developed water strategy can be applied to enhance the development of water and wastewater infrastructures in other Palestinian rural communities. However, other further detailed studies are recommended.