This policy and strategy is part of a framework derived from an integrated water resources assessment carried out by the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) in consultation with the key stakeholders identified by the Government. The document provides the planning and management framework necessary for the protection, conservation, sustainable management and development of water resources and for the improvement and sustainable management and provision of water supply and wastewater services and related standards in the Palestinian Territories. The Policy will also act as a platform for ensuring close collaboration and cooperation among all water-related agencies and stakeholders at the national, governorate, municipal and local levels. As such, it should be treated as a living document to accommodate changes that will further strengthen the national framework and reflect water management at all levels.
The water strategy includes a large development of wastewater collection and the construction of new wastewater treatment plants. The development of efficient wastewater treatment plants will provide an additional water resource over the coming years that could be allocated to farmers to irrigate their crops. Implementing such an allocation will be a rather complex operation, requiring the co-operation of various stakeholders.The bases for the allocation will be as follows: 1) wastewater will be treated in high performance treatment plants in order to produce “reuse quality water”, for irrigation and/or infiltration; 2) PWA and MoA will coordinate to transport the treated wastewater to the irrigation areas; 3) MoA will develop mechanisms to encourage farmers to use the treated wastewater in agriculture; 4) the allocation will be organized through Water Users Associations; for areas that do not require irrigation water, the WWTP discharge of water will be used for infiltration and recharge of the aquifers; and 5) MoA, PSI and MoH will define a limited list of crops for which irrigation with treated wastewater is permitted and considered safe, using efficient irrigation systems.
The National Water Policy and Strategy is in line with the Strategy for the Water and Wastewater Sector (2011-2013), the Draft Water Resources Management Strategy (1997), the National Water Policy (1995), Water Sector Strategy Planning Study (WSSPS, 2000), Water National Plan (NWP) 2000 and Coastal Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP)1999-2004.
The Water Sector Reform Plan 2016-18 has the objective to lay out activities within the framework of the 2014 Water Law to move towards accomplishing these objectives. The plan therefore provides a set of ambitious yet achievable targets and measurable indicators that aim at guiding the work of the institutions involved in the sector reform.
In Palestine, the use of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is
regulated by the Palestine Standard PS 742-2015-– Treated Wastewater Effluent
for Agricultural Purposes.