Here is a pdf of the most recent report (2008) on water statistics in the Palestinian Territory.
http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_PCBS/Downloads/book1596.pdf
It emphasizes the significance of water issues in the Middle East. What makes it even more sensitive in Palestine is that Palestinians have no control of water resources (they are controlled by Israeli authority), which has resulted in limited supplies of water. The main supplier of water purchased is from Israeli Water Company Mekorot and the rest of the water is from wells and springs in the locality.
The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) is the main regulatory and policy making body for water resources management and development in the West Bank and Gaza. One of its projects is to standardize water tariffs. However, it has not yet come to fruition. K. Issa, Director of the Tariff and Economy Department of the Palestinian National Authority stated in 2005 that there are many tariff systems existing in the West Bank alone with each municipality having its own system and applying its own structure. "The blocks they used are chosen in random way and prices are determined as the municipality council decides. Each one put minimum limit as it wants without taking the consideration of the consumer's conditions. The result was unjust tariff systems. The poorest were not supported. The prices are not affordable for some blocks. Some tariff systems are not covering the cost."
A standardized tariff system with less dependence on Mekorot would be ideal for Palestine. I am unsure how the Arab League could address this problem, since water supply is already a concern for the entire region. If any has suggestions on research or information on the subject, please let me know!
http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/report7.pdf
ReplyDeleteThat document might help its the Water and Sanitation, Hygiene Monitoring Project summary. It might have some relevant information.
This is really interesting. This situation on water is one of the many problems we started talking about last class that Palestinians face being surrounded by Israeli control. I didn't realize that Palestinians have no control of their water resources due to the fact that they are controlled by Israeli authority. It definitely makes it difficult for them that the main supplier of water purchased is from Israeli Water Company. I agree that a standardized tariff system with less dependence on Mekorot would be a good thing for Palestine.
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