BICOM

The National Infrastructure Ministry and the Defence Ministry presented plans yesterday to improve the water supply in the West Bank.

The plans, presented to a Knesset subcommittee, came in response to problems with the water supply in parts of the West Bank this summer, resulting in low water pressure and temporary cut-offs for both Palestinian towns and Israeli settlements in certain areas. The plan will double the amount of water going to all populations in the West Bank.

An official told the Knesset committee: “The water amount will be doubled from 73 million cubic meters per year to 142 million cubic meters per year”. He added it will also improve sewage infrastructure.

The plan is expensive and long-term, expected to cost NIS1.29bn (£259m) and be completed by 2030. A stopgap measure will involve building 26 small reservoirs spread around the West Bank. It requires approval from the government and funding from the Finance Ministry. Deputy Defence Minister Eli ben-Dahan, a supporter of the plan, is appealing to Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to ensure that the plan is funded.

Water infrastructure is also a problem in Gaza. Piping is often held for security reasons as it is a dual-use material that can be used in rocket construction, and efforts to repair Gaza’s old water infrastructure remain slow. Turkey has committed to building a desalination plant in Gaza, which should improve the supply of drinking water. A sewage treatment plant in Gaza is currently inactive, but could be re-opened.

According to the 1 July Quartet report on the Israeli-Palestinian situation, since Operation Protective Edge in 2014 60 per cent of water infrastructure damaged in the conflict has subsequently been repaired or rebuilt with international support.