Palestinian Water Authority / AFD / Coastal Municipalities Water Utility

55thth World Water Forum-Istanbul 16-22 March 2009 World Water Forum-Istanbul 16-22 March 2009

Session1.3.4:Session1.3.4: Water Management During and After Disasters / Conflicts Water Management During and After Disasters / Conflicts

Managing the Transition between Emergency and Development Managing the Transition between Emergency and Development in an Unstable Environment and Uncertain Futurein an Unstable Environment and Uncertain Future

11

Interim Legal FrameworkInterim Legal Framework The Israeli-Palestinian The Israeli-Palestinian Interim AgreementInterim Agreement on the West on the West

Bank and the Gaza Strip (Called “Oslo 2” or “Taba”— Bank and the Gaza Strip (Called “Oslo 2” or “Taba”— 9/28/95)9/28/95)

Although the agreement makes it possible for the Although the agreement makes it possible for the Palestinians to negotiate as an independent party, Palestinians to negotiate as an independent party, the resolution of the conflict requires Israel the resolution of the conflict requires Israel commitment!commitment!

This does not remove Israel’s international This does not remove Israel’s international humanitarian law responsibilities as an Occupying humanitarian law responsibilities as an Occupying Power!Power!

22

Geographical separation.Geographical separation. West Bank – Classification West Bank – Classification

(Zone A, B, C).(Zone A, B, C). Gaza Strip – Full closure regime.Gaza Strip – Full closure regime. All territory bounded to the Israeli All territory bounded to the Israeli

Economy.Economy. Full dependency on donations Full dependency on donations

which are often politically driven. which are often politically driven.

Common Fragility Features

33

Water Fragility FeaturesWater Fragility Features Israel Control of ALL Transboundary Water ResourcesIsrael Control of ALL Transboundary Water Resources

Dependency on Israeli Water Provider (Mekorot) in WB.Dependency on Israeli Water Provider (Mekorot) in WB.

Israeli Approval of all projects in WB. 172 projects with value Israeli Approval of all projects in WB. 172 projects with value 60MUSD not approved.60MUSD not approved.

Dependency of W&WW Facilities Operation on restricted sources of Dependency of W&WW Facilities Operation on restricted sources of energy in Gaza.energy in Gaza.

Non-functioning key water institutions e.g. National Water Council.Non-functioning key water institutions e.g. National Water Council.

Limited enforcement of Water Law and regulations.Limited enforcement of Water Law and regulations.

Major Water infrastructure and operational expenses are not self Major Water infrastructure and operational expenses are not self financed.financed.

44

1995

55

The Impact of Israeli Control on Crossings into Gaza StripThe Impact of Israeli Control on Crossings into Gaza Strip

0100200300400500600700800

Jan

-07

Feb

-07

Mar

-07

Ap

r-0

7

May

-07

Jun-

07

Jul-

07

Au

g-0

7

Sep

-07

Oct

-07

No

v-0

7

Dec

-07

Jan

-08

Feb

-08

Mar

-08

Ap

r-0

8

May

-08

Jun-

08

Jul-

08

Au

g-0

8

Sep

-08

Oct

-08

No

v-0

8

Dec

-08

2007 2008

Imp

orte

d F

uel

tru

cklo

ads

Total Monthly Imports

0

4000

8000

12000

16000

Jan-

07

Feb

-07

Mar

-07

Apr

-07

May

-07

Jun-

07

Jul-0

7

Aug

-07

Sep

-07

Oct

-07

Nov

-07

Dec

-07

Jan-

08

Feb

-08

Mar

-08

Apr

-08

May

-08

Jun-

08

Jul-0

8

Aug

-08

Sep

-08

Oct

-08

Nov

-08

Dec

-08

2007 2008

Imp

ort

ed t

ruck

load

s

66

Impacts of Instability on Major InvestmenImpacts of Instability on Major Investmentt

Very Low Profile of Investment e.g. German commitment for Very Low Profile of Investment e.g. German commitment for wastewater 120 m Euro since 1995 only 20 m Euro disbursedwastewater 120 m Euro since 1995 only 20 m Euro disbursed

Postponing 3 WWTP in Gaza.Postponing 3 WWTP in Gaza.

Canceling Hebron WWTP.Canceling Hebron WWTP.

Canceling Gaza regional water carrier.Canceling Gaza regional water carrier.

Canceling Desalination Plant in Gaza.Canceling Desalination Plant in Gaza.

Only one WWTP has been constructed in WB.Only one WWTP has been constructed in WB.77

General Impacts of Instability on ServicesGeneral Impacts of Instability on Services

Declining Consumption rates from156 CM/C/Y 1980 Declining Consumption rates from156 CM/C/Y 1980 (Pop 1.5m) to 70 CM/C/Y in 2008 (Pop 4.0m), the (Pop 1.5m) to 70 CM/C/Y in 2008 (Pop 4.0m), the average in WB is no more than 50 lcd.average in WB is no more than 50 lcd.

10 % of population in WB is still not connected to WS.10 % of population in WB is still not connected to WS.

Sewage Collection is 35% in WB and 65% in Gaza. Sewage Collection is 35% in WB and 65% in Gaza.

In the WB 10.2 MCM/y collected through networks In the WB 10.2 MCM/y collected through networks (7% is treated) while 18.6 MCM/y is collected through (7% is treated) while 18.6 MCM/y is collected through cesspits.cesspits.

41% of communities reported infections related to 41% of communities reported infections related to poor water and sanitation services.poor water and sanitation services.

88

Impacts on Services / Water Supply (GS) Impacts on Services / Water Supply (GS)

Management Contract canceled due to instable Management Contract canceled due to instable political situation.political situation.

Reluctance of some municipalities to continue the Reluctance of some municipalities to continue the process of functional establishment of CMWU and a process of functional establishment of CMWU and a paralyzed Regulator (PWA) due to internal conflict.paralyzed Regulator (PWA) due to internal conflict.

Difficulties in issuing a unified bill.Difficulties in issuing a unified bill.

Limited Israeli release of materials and spare parts.Limited Israeli release of materials and spare parts.

99

Cont…Cont…

More than 400,000 inhabitants left with no piped More than 400,000 inhabitants left with no piped water during the last war. water during the last war.

Interrupted water supply due to electricity cut off Interrupted water supply due to electricity cut off and lack of fuel and spare parts. and lack of fuel and spare parts.

Less than 10 % of the total water supply in GS Less than 10 % of the total water supply in GS

meeting WHO guidelines.meeting WHO guidelines.

Lacking of spare parts for routine maintenance Lacking of spare parts for routine maintenance resulting in back warding system efficiency.resulting in back warding system efficiency.

1010

Impacts on Sanitation & Health (GS)Impacts on Sanitation & Health (GS)

In Gaza 33 MCM/y collected in networks (70% In Gaza 33 MCM/y collected in networks (70% poorly treated) while 10MCM/y in cesspits.poorly treated) while 10MCM/y in cesspits.

Continuous pollution. e.g. raw sewage and poor Continuous pollution. e.g. raw sewage and poor effluent disposal to sea (75,000meffluent disposal to sea (75,000m33/day). /day).

Risk of Sewage floodingRisk of Sewage flooding

Polluting the aquifer.Polluting the aquifer.

Contamination of the water distribution Contamination of the water distribution system. system.

1111

Israel’s War on GazaIsrael’s War on GazaTargeted Basic Water InfrastructureTargeted Basic Water Infrastructure

(Example Damages- January 2009)(Example Damages- January 2009)

1212

GWWTP Partially Treated Effluent Sea Outlet

Direct Raw Sewage Sea Outlet

Raw Sewage Floods to Farms

Direct Raw Sewage to Streets

1313

North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment ProjectNorth Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment Project (NGEST) (NGEST)

Recognized as the most Humanitarian project among Recognized as the most Humanitarian project among all international actors, UN, EU, WB etc.. As well as all international actors, UN, EU, WB etc.. As well as IsraelIsrael

The The onlyonly Infrastructure Project ongoing since more Infrastructure Project ongoing since more than three years.than three years.

Implemented through special security coordination, Implemented through special security coordination, positive list.positive list.

Interventions by top Global actors, WB, QRO, EU, Interventions by top Global actors, WB, QRO, EU, France.France.

1414

1515

The Way ForwardThe Way Forward

PWA is working with key donors in the sector PWA is working with key donors in the sector to prepare and finalize the Institution Reform.to prepare and finalize the Institution Reform.

PWA published recently a report aiming at: PWA published recently a report aiming at: Strategic Refocusing of water Sector Strategic Refocusing of water Sector Infrastructure in PalestineInfrastructure in Palestine. The Followings . The Followings are few important Recommendations: are few important Recommendations:

1616

Cont…Cont…

Constructing the West Ghor Canal in the Constructing the West Ghor Canal in the West BankWest Bank

Constructing a desalination facility Constructing a desalination facility serving Gaza.serving Gaza.

Strengthening coordination between Strengthening coordination between PWA and the Negotiation Affairs PWA and the Negotiation Affairs Department in realizing a sustainable Department in realizing a sustainable future.future.

Revising the National Water Plan and Revising the National Water Plan and the Water Lawthe Water Law 1717

Key MessagesKey Messages ACCESS first and last (rights, personnel, ACCESS first and last (rights, personnel,

goods……goods……

Donors: Pragmatism, Flexibility and strong Donors: Pragmatism, Flexibility and strong commitment.commitment.

Water must be out of the political conflicts.Water must be out of the political conflicts.

Reforming the sector to meet the needed Reforming the sector to meet the needed development rather than emergency situation.development rather than emergency situation.

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