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Palestinian Lands :. Understanding the Physical Environment of the Wadi el-Far’a as a Means for Assessing Environmental Problems. Project Sectors. Project Sectors. Pollution. Water Rights & Resources. Land Use & Built-up areas. Historical Sites. Physical Environment. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Palestinian Lands:
Understanding the Physical Environment of the Wadi el-Far’a as a Means for Assessing
Environmental Problems
Project Sectors
PollutionHistorical
SitesPhysical
Environment
Land Use&
Built-up areas
Water Rights
&Resources
Project Sectors
Project Sectors
PhysicalEnvironment: GEOGRAPHY,
TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY,
HYDROLOGY,HYDROGEOLOGY
Physical Environment Sector
Geography
Tectonic Map of the West Bank
Source: Ghanem, 1999.
Structural Map of the Wadi el-Far’a
Source: Ghanem, 1999.
Geology
Water BalanceTotal Precipitation = 138.8 MCM/yr
Total Evaporation - 71.3 MCM/yr
Total water for
infiltration and runoff = 67.5 MCM/yr
Total runoff - 7.5 MCM/yr
Total well pumping - 18 MCM/yr
Total Spring discharge - 14.1 MCM/yr
Water Balance = +27.9 MCM/yr
Hydrology
Transmissivity map (m2/day) of the upper aquifer: 500 meter
contour interval
Source: Ghanem, 1999.
Contour Map of the Groundwater-phreatic zone (meter, relative to sea-
level)
Source: Ghanem, 1999.
Hydrogeology
Assessment of Environmental Problems
Water Balance equation reveal water surplus, but wells and springs running dry, indicating poor management and monitoring.
Water Quality is worse than poor, it is TOXIC.
BUT, based on Physical Environment, solutions to these problems exist.
Remediation Proposalsi. Environmental Remediations
a. Water and Soil monitoring and sampling; b. Extract toxic groundwater; c. Air pumping wells
ii. Engineering Effortsa. Recharge areas; b. Dams; c. Reservoirs; d. Wastewater treatment
factility
iii. Palestinian Management and Controla. Laws promoting beneficial and sustainable use; b. Create
agency to act as watchdog; c. Develop water projects
iv. Introduce Efficient Irrigation Techniquesa. Drip vs. open canal irrigation; b. Friendly fertilizers
v. Teaching and bringing awareness
vi. Drill new wells in high quality deep aquifer
(NOT EXHAUSTIVE)
Some RealitiesI. Israel is unwilling to pass authority of
water in the West Bank to the Palestinians, as they control over 80% of all water resources
II. Palestinians are unlikely to have an adequately established government with enough financial capital to act implement environmental recommendations
III. Israel has not allowed any water projects that increase Palestinian water supply since 1967, and will doubtfully will begin allowing such projects
Conclusions
The solution to the many problems discussed above may lie in the use of foreign agencies like USAID to help understand, assess, recommend and implement such projects that bring about the sustainable use and allocation of water throughout the West Bank.
For more Information
Visit our Website at:
http://www.calvin.edu/~dvrb
Contact Information:
Dr. Bert de Vries: [email protected]
Abi Tan: [email protected]
Sebastian Naslund: [email protected]
