Chapter Five
Water Resources
Introduction
Nablus city is the most populated area in Nablus district. Water supply was believed to be sufficient for human needs up to the end of the British Mandate of Palestine. In 1948, the Arab - Israeli war and the birth of the state of Israel, caused the problem of Palestinian refugees. The influx of refugees made the population of Nablus city to double in one year without any increase in water resources. After the Israeli occupation of the West Bank in 1967, Israel controlled all water resources. Only few new sources were developed for Nablus area, therefore the population continues to live with inadequate water supply.
According to "Oslo II" interim agreement, and in order to meet the immediate needs of the Palestinians fresh water for domestic use, both sides recognize the necessity to make available to the Palestinians during the interim period a total quantity of 28.6 mcm/yr. The allocation of Nablus district is about 3.7 mcm/yr in which:
The Israelis should provide an additional supply of:
- 0.6 mcm/yr to Salfit area, and
- 1 mcm/yr to Nablus area.
While, the Palestinian responsibility is to construct an additional well in Nablus area to produce 2.1 mcm/yr.
Hydrogeological Status
Groundwater aquifer
Figure 5.1 shows the different groundwater catchments and the exposed aquifer systems in the West Bank in general and those underlying Nablus district. The main aquifer system underlies Nablus district can be summarized as follows (Rofe & Raffety, 1965).
Nubian (Kurnub) Sand Stone Aquifer System
This aquifer system is of the Lower Cretaceous age, composed mainly of sand stone. It exists at a depth of more than 1,000 meters in some areas, although its depth fluctuates from western Nablus to the Jordan River. It is not exposed at any location in the study area and so it is a confined nonrenewable aquifer. It has an average thickness of 260-290m. There are no production or exploration wells owned by Palestinians tapping this system.
Lower Cenomanian Aquifer System
The Lower Cenomanian aquifer system constitutes the lower part of the Upper Cretaceous age. It is composed mainly of dolomitized limestone, marly limestone & shale, chalky limestone with organic matter, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, and clay, which is hydraulically connected with the overlying Upper Cenomanian aquifer system. This aquifer is composed of three main formations with a total thickness between 410 - 630m.
- Yatta formation, a poor aquiclude.
- Upper Beit Kahil, good aquifer
- Lower Beit Kahil, poor aquiclude
Upper Cenomanian - Turonian Aquifer System
This system belongs to the Upper Cretaceous age of the Upper Ajlun Group. It ranges between 185-375 meters and is composed mainly of limestone, dolomite, dolomitic limestone, chalk, and chert. This aquifer system includes three main aquifer formations, listed here from youngest to oldest.
- The Jerusalem Formation, is composed of limestone and dolomite with a thickness of 50-100 meters that forms a very good aquifer.
- The Bethlehem Formation, is composed of dolomitized limestone, dolomite, and chalk with a thickness of 30-115 meters that forms a very good aquifer.
- The Hebron Formation, is composed of limestone, dolomite, chert and chalk with a thickness of 105-250 meters that forms an excellent aquifer.
Tertiary Aquifer System
This aquifer system is represented in the study area by the following formations.
- The Jenin subseries of the Belqa Group of the Palaeocene (Eocene) age which is composed of reef limestone, bedded limestone, and chalk with limestone. Its thickness is between 0-470 meters forming a good aquifer in limestone zones and an aquiclude in chalk zones.
- The Bayda series of the Neogene (Pliocene & Miocene) age is composed of conglomerates with a thickness of 200 meters which forms a good aquifer.
Quaternary Aquifer System
This aquifer system is represented in the study area by the following formations.
- The Lisan and Gravel fans formations of the Pleistocene age which has a thickness which may reach 200 meters in some places and thus forms a good aquifer. Lisan formation - the lower formation - is composed of laminated marl and gypsum with limestone.
- The Alluvium formation of the Holocene age is composed of marl, alluvium and gravel with a variable thickness that forms a good aquifer. Most Palestinian wells tap this system which is located in the northern Jordan Valley.
Groundwater Basins
Three groundwater basins underlay the West Bank and the main groundwater divide is located on the anticline structure of the West Bank and extends to the south, Figure 5.1. Nablus district overlies parts of all three groundwater basins of the West Bank (Western, Eastern, as well as Northeastern basin). Each groundwater basin is divided into several underground catchments. Nablus district overlies seven such catchments, these are described in the following:
- Western groundwater basin is represented in the study area by Auja - Tamaseeh underground catchment. It is located to the West of the regional groundwater divide. The main outcropping aquifer of this catchment is the Upper Cenomanian Eocene aquifer in addition to the limited exposures of the Lower Cenomanian Aquifer.
- Northeastern groundwater basin which is represented by both Samarian & Nablus - Jenin as well as the upper Far'a, El Badan spring systems of the Eocene aquifer emerging from these catchments (upper Far'a).
- Eastern groundwater basin is represented by four underground catchments which range from Jurassic into Pleistocene. These catchments extend from the north to the south Bardala, Buqei'a, Maleh, Far'a (Lower Far'a), and Auja - Fasayil.
Sources of Water
The main sources of water in Nablus district are surface and groundwater.
Surface Water
There are 2 sources of surface water in Nablus district, these are flood water and Jordan River bordering, Bardala, Ein El Bayda, Fasayil and Jiftlik. The source of floods is rainfall on Nablus highlands where runoff occurred through the main streams either to the east or to the west. The amounts of floods were not exactly measured in the area. Before 1967, the farmers of Bardala and Ein El Bayda were using Jordan River to irrigate their farms.
Ground Water
Groundwater wells
There are 79 Palestinian wells in Nablus district used for different purposes, (ARIJ Database).
Domestic Wells
There are four Palestinian wells used for domestic purposes, these include, the Tubas well which is owned by the Tubas municipality, along with Badan No.1, Badan No.2, and Deir Sharaf well No.2a, which are owned by Nablus municipality.
Irrigation wells
Palestinians have 75 privately wells which are used for irrigation purposes. These locations are described in Table (5.1)
Table 5.1: Location of Palestinian wells in Nablus districtArea No. of wells
Gore El Far'a (Jiftlik+Fasayil+Froush Beit Dajan) 32
Upper Far’a (Ras El Far'a + A’qrabaniya + Nasiriya) 24
Zbeidat + Marj Na'aja 11
Bardala 8
Total 75
"Note: The 8 wells of Bardala dried up during the eighties and have been replaced by Mekorot which compensates the wells’ owners with their quota with the cont price. In 1995, the water supply from Mekorot was about 3.8 MCM for both domestic and irrigation purposes (Mekorot, 1995)."
Figure 5.2 shows the location map of wells and springs in Nablus district.
Mekorot Israeli Wells
There is no official Israeli reports about the exact number of the Israeli wells within the boundaries of the West Bank. The available information from the ARIJ water database indicates that there are 20 wells controlled by Israel through the Mekorot Water Company. Table 5.2 gives the basic information about these wells (Israeli Hydrological Services, 1995) and the location of these wells is shown in Figure 5.2.
Table 5.2: Basic data about Israeli wells in Nablus district (IHS, 1995).Well Ident Location Well Name Well Depth (m) Water Level (m) Water Depth (m)
IW3001 _ _ 300 19.28 262.72
IW3002 _ _ 265 299.7 150.3
IW3003 _ _ 427.2 392.55 77.45
IW3004 _ _ 164 _ _
IW3005 _ _ 220 33.24 131.76
IW3006 _ _ 172 25.06 129.94
IW3007 _ _ 95 11.94 58.06
IW3008 _ _ 160 _ _
IW3009 _ _ 150 _ _
IW3011 _ _ 700 67.75 272.25
IW3012 _ _ 550 169.56 175.44
IW3013 Fasayil Fasayil (1) 819 -85.2 91.8
IW3014 Fasayil Fasayil (2) 351 7.9 137.9
IW3015 Fasayil Fasayil (3) 351 43.1 142.1
IW3016 Fasayil Fasayil (4) 432.5 110.6 187
IW3017 Fasayil Fasayil (6) 532 134.74 205.74
IW3018 Fasayil Fasayil (8) 480 365.82 315.82
IW3019 Fasayil Fasayil (9) 684.5 303.35 293.35
IW3020 Gittit Gittit (1) 706.5 389.6 320
IW3021 Gittit Gittit (3) 646 308.99 289.78
Springs
There are 48 springs with a discharge flow exceeding 0.1 l/sec, as measured by West Bank Water Department of which 29 springs are measured and observed on a monthly basis. Table 5.3a and 5.3b show the names and annual discharge (1970-1994) of springs (Nuseiba and Nasser Eddin, 1995). Figure 5.4 shows the total annual discharge of these 29 springs and discharge variation during the period from 1970-1994 (Nuseiba and Nasser Eddin, 1995). Spring locations are shown in figure 5.2
Table 5.3a: Variation of flow discharge of the main springs of Nablus district. Flow Discharge of the Main Springs of Nablus District (1000 m3)Year Ein Bayda Eddeir Shamsiya
Tahta
Shamsiya
Fouqa
Hammam
Maleh
Shibli Ein Miska Far’a Dulelb Qudeira Hamad Sedreh Jiser Tabbann Subyan Balata
70/71 363 457 50 34 812 2197 4707 611 849 625 993 178 108
71/72 397 407 200 142 815 2047 4994 1133 1104 2239 981 186 131
72/73 339 152 215 121 807 1823 4428 596 823 0 1135 170 81
73/74 151 181 224 113 889 2036 6181 2359 1401 946 3616 1296 194 175
74/75 202 95 208 103 872 1729 5227 817 1359 820 581 1311 181 120
75/76 240 55 224 112 848 998 1981 4808 450 946 874 194 161 1307 187 102
76/77 189 53 223 126 707 1148 1714 4312 353 1005 837 229 181 1313 176 129
77/78 158 0 213 123 565 1141 1319 3673 126 255 494 0 150 1282 163 57
78/79 0 0 145 73 463 1032 484 1711 0 0 13 0 37 1196 137 69
79/80 50 0 87 46 313 996 1099 5556 1132 1897 794 2426 184 1409 176 331
80/81 76 39 97 45 447 1061 1666 6336 1023 2087 883 1104 161 1414 184 344
81/82 47 0 89 32 544 1004 1301 4922 342 1146 539 0 124 1464 189 197
82/83 166 110 97 39 731 1056 1742 6355 2426 1792 815 3409 171 1508 234 386
83/84 116 60 102 42 1143 1154 2205 6202 1043 1895 996 237 150 1692 215 97
84/85 0 0 21 0 941 1093 1240 4565 281 625 628 0 74 1579 215 105
85/86 0 0 0 0 604 941 431 2928 26 0 95 0 32 1587 197 49
86/87 0 0 0 0 431 899 231 4384 481 2473 941 670 81 1569 221 258
87/88 0 0 0 0 367 904 573 4746 1085 2445 849 2402 121 1436 218 281
88/89 0 0 0 0 453 909 594 5135 760 1869 952 187 132 1405 198 287
89/90 0 0 0 0 373 807 166 3974 399 1490 704 0 131 1254 202 200
90/91 0 0 0 0 263 707 18 2964 123 777 439 0 92 1450 192 107
91/92 242 833 81 21 1270 1121 1474 10525 8604 2328 1750 8115 231 1629 221 550
92/93 371 1088 66 108 2533 841 1971 10028 5385 1464 1267 5811 205 1493 221 376
93/94 197 581 26 37 2549 707 1569 6714 929 794 860 247 146 1390 201 166
Table 5.3b: Variation of flow discharge of the main springs of Nablus district. Flow Discharge of the Main Springs of Nablus District (1000 m3)Year Dafina Fasayil Ras El Ein El Asal Qaryoun Shreish Foad Beit El Zawata Kfar Farat Harun Burqa Springs Ein Matwi Total (1000m3)a+b
70/71 90 498 153 597 556 278 59 187 62 87 14551
71/72 137 542 223 633 736 934 68 362 84 98 18593
72/73 63 315 111 412 339 96 35 117 50 72 12300
73/74 103 406 181 567 600 928 68 473 129 165 23382
74/75 90 806 388 162 136 239 108 532 253 57 211 88 104 16799
75/76 20 694 343 134 421 189 91 442 151 40 132 62 76 16282
76/77 15 565 321 113 391 181 89 412 300 61 169 71 61 15444
77/78 18 563 317 125 375 104 48 327 90 35 110 42 67 11940
78/79 533 73 50 47 17 72 20 52 6224
79/80 348 593 1180 528 1284 424 259 1189 836 75 309 95 107 23723
80/81 128 611 463 189 520 184 148 662 415 60 157 95 111 20710
81/82 125 573 424 134 622 124 120 485 109 26 132 58 86 14958
82/83 189 817 465 213 557 326 242 717 1819 8 252 102 181 26925
83/84 142 964 438 139 368 145 173 505 147 139 126 74 77 20786
84/85 110 775 221 95 273 118 179 392 89 29 108 63 63 13882
85/86 79 673 183 89 198 118 135 284 72 22 89 37 49 8918
86/87 142 604 612 152 612 244 126 665 137 66 208 100 63 16370
87/88 148 591 498 152 533 276 176 687 694 66 284 95 95 19722
88/89 163 555 457 163 523 163 132 675 201 47 172 81 86 16299
89/90 181 555 462 187 583 194 181 660 181 46 178 115 79 13302
90/91 121 470 363 147 434 183 139 473 120 35 126 66 63 9872
91/92 168 972 352 212 489 579 301 652 1906 103 499 143 252 45623
92/93 489 1093 364 242 508 442 255 635 1085 89 261 115 234 39040
93/94 158 978 335 182 497 198 139 489 134 32 132 50 89 20526 From a hydrogeological point of view, these springs emerge through 11 spring systems. These are Nablus, Sabastiya, Salfit, Qana, Far'a, El Badan, Fasayil, Miska, Maleh, Bardala, and Jordan Valley (Rofe & Raffety, 1965). The total area of all catchments, where springs of Nablus emerge, is about 3,866 km2, this includes 6 catchments as shown in Table 5.4 below:
Table 5.4: Surface catchment areas in Nablus districtCatchment Name Area (Km2)
Lower Jordan catchment area 250
Northern Jordan catchment area 309
Far’a Jordan catchment area 330
Auja - Fasayil catchment area 618
Nablus catchment area 555
Auja - Tamaseeh catchment area 1804
Total 3866 Km2
Water quality
Water quality is the most important issue after water quantity, as it can determine the water use. ARIJ has conducted sampling procedure in order to evaluate water quality from both wells and springs. Sixteen of the 29 springs in Nablus district were tested as were 44 wells (18 wells in Nablus highlands and upper Far'a and 26 wells from Jiftlik and Ghor El Far'a). The total water samples represented both the highlands and lowlands of Nablus district were 60.
The chemical analysis was conducted in partial fulfillment to a current project on Developing the Irrigated Agricultural Sector in the West Bank, funded by International Development Research Center - Canada (IDRC). The physical parameters, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and hydrogen ion activity product (pH), were measured on site by using a portable meter. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbonates, nitrated and chloride was measured at Al-Quds University College of Science and Technology - Abu Dis.
The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), hardness (Hr) and percentages of sodium (% Na) were evaluated using the Groundwater for Windows Software (GWW).
Tables 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 show the result of the physical, chemical water quality tests for these wells and springs in different regions of the study area. Figure (5.5) shows the Wilcox diagram for springs and wells in Nablus district. According to these results, the water quality from the wells and springs of the northern Jordan valley, are not well suitable for all of the crops planted in the area. Figure 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8 show the presentation of hydrochemical data on contour maps for nitrate, chloride and electric conductivity, respectively. Tests of the special wells and springs used for domestic purposes show good water quality with respect to drinking standards. However, the water quality drops from the west to the east.
Table 5.5: Different water quality parameters of wells in wadi El Far’a area (ARIJ Water Database, 1995).Ident Ca Mg Na K HCO3 Cl NO3 F Temp EC pH SAR Hr %Na
W3002_____ 125 15 45 0.5 63 61.7 12.78 _ 19.3 694 6.8 1 374 24.5
W3003_____ 125 20 48 1 236 50.5 12.96 _ 18.7 725 6.8 1.1 394.5 25.2
W3004_____ 91 15 30 1 _ 36.2 4.35 _ 19.5 527 6.8 0.8 289 22.6
W3005_____ 107 14 24 1 246 36.3 7.91 _ 21.8 562 6.8 0.6 324.9 17.1
W3006_____ 83 12 28 1 63 16.1 2.04 _ 20.4 485 6.8 0.8 256.7 23.3
W3009_____ 60 37 31 1 240 34.9 3.1 _ 16.6 577 7.4 0.8 301.7 24.8
W3010_____ 86 54 51 1 180 60.4 2.53 _ 18.8 678 7.2 1.1 436.4 27.1
W3011_____ 62 38 48 2 270 50.8 3.29 _ 20.3 585 7.2 1.2 310.8 33.3
W3012_____ 60 34 31 1 251 40.3 3.5 _ 18.8 490 7.2 0.8 289.4 25.3
W3013_____ 107 59 77 2 75 91.8 9.35 _ 21.1 903 7 1.5 509.4 32.2
W3014_____ 49 31 43 2 174 55.7 4.92 _ 19.1 603 7.2 1.2 249.6 36
W3016_____ 114 23 80 2 241 89.6 0.3 _ 19.9 786 6.9 1.8 379.3 37.4
W3017_____ 62 42 31 1 241 54.2 3.64 _ 15.8 463 7.3 0.7 327.2 23.5
W3018_____ 62 42 31 1 241 42.9 12.65 _ 15.8 463 7.3 0.7 327.2 23.5
W3019_____ 55 40 34 2 244 24.9 1.98 _ 19.7 510 7.1 0.9 301.5 27.5
W3021_____ 43 40 17 1 249 31.4 1.6 0.15 5.5 203 7.3 0.4 271.5 17.8
W3023_____ 65 12 34 2 188 18.1 9.42 _ 12.3 375 7.7 1 211.7 31.8
W3024_____ 78 42 39 2 104 38.5 3.87 _ 19.5 566 7 0.9 367.2 25.4
Minimum 43 12 17 1 63 16.1 0.3 0.15 5.5 203 6.8 0.4 211.7 17.1
Maximum 125 59 80 2 270 91.8 12.96 0.15 21.8 903 7.7 1.8 509.4 37.4
Average 77 32.6 39.8 1.4 202.7 45.4 5.14 0.15 17.8 558.9 7.1 0.96 326.3 26.7
Table 5.6: Different water quality parameters of wells of the northern Jordan valley in Nablus district (ARIJ Water Database, 1995).Ident No Ca Mg Na K HCO3 Cl NO3 F Temp EC pH SAR Hr %Na
W5054_____ 43 15 47 3 133 61.8 6.83 _ ____ 343 7.9 1.6 169 46.3
W5055_____ 63 116 50 2 138 86.9 8.48 _ ____ 439 7.7 0.9 633.1 22.5
W5056_____ 50 20 41 2 124 69.1 7.9 _ ____ 426 7.4 1.2 207 38.1
W5057_____ 227 312 464 27 111 773.4 9.98 _ ____ 2140 6.7 4.7 1846.7 47.7
W5058_____ 129 59 425 38 151 632.5 4.35 _ ____ 1656 6.9 7.8 564.4 71.1
W5059_____ 129 44 332 24 147 565 8.71 _ ____ 1640 7 6.4 502.9 67.3
W5061_____ 157 159 281 22 238 489.8 6.28 _ ____ 1127 7 3.8 1044.4 48.9
W5062_____ 133 157 238 16 163 401.1 8.81 _ ____ 932 7 3.3 976.2 46.7
W5063_____ 70 47 191 15 120 392.1 7.54 _ ____ 1027 7.2 4.3 367.7 63.8
W5064_____ 125 149 242 17 135 283.8 4.2 _ ____ 990 7.1 3.5 923.4 48.6
W5065_____ 188 118 419 27 130 711.2 11.58 _ ____ 1798 6.7 5.9 953.8 59.3
W5066_____ 142 234 245 19 124 415.2 7.38 _ ____ 1019 7 2.9 1314.4 41.2
W5067_____ 122 126 287 33 102 551.7 4.28 _ ____ 1216 7 4.4 821.6 56.4
W5068_____ 96 73 242 30 126 429.5 8.78 _ ____ 1149 7.1 4.5 539.3 61.7
W5071_____ 221 83 488 33 215 822.7 12.8 _ ____ 1987 6.8 7.1 892.8 63.1
W5073_____ 108 86 163 7 298 212.5 7.61 _ ____ 781 7.2 2.8 622.6 46.7
W5074_____ 141 178 285 39 121 235.3 2.42 _ ____ 1104 7 3.8 1082.3 50.4
W5075_____ 306 263 668 42 126 915.6 5.04 _ ____ 2630 6.8 6.8 1843.3 55.5
W5076_____ 116 258 317 23 115 506.1 9.41 _ ____ 1156 7.1 3.8 1347.8 47.6
W5077_____ 80 130 317 20 168 _ _ 0.7 5.5 1410 7.6 5.1 733 61.6
W5078_____ 89 40 437 29 4 596.5 0.98 _ ____ 1365 7.4 9.7 386.5 78.3
W5079_____ 148 297 398 20 93 523.9 9.88 _ ____ 1524 7.1 4.3 1587.7 48.4
W5080_____ 80 130 317 22 168 416 6.44 _ 5.5 1410 7.6 5.1 733 61.7
W5081_____ 71 110 397 18 165 376.3 3.56 0.65 6.3 1170 7.9 6.9 628.5 69.6
W5082_____ 156 300 615 33 209 687.1 12.61 0.6 6.6 2380 7.3 6.6 1620 58.7
W5084_____ 148 22 143 6 122 355.4 9.7 _ ____ 856 6.9 2.9 460.2 46.7
W5090_____ 76 26 239 20 130 _ 6.48 _ ____ 748 7.4 6 296.6 71.7
Minimum 71 22 143 6 4 212.5 0.98 0.6 5.5 748 6.7 2.8 296.6 41.2
Maximum 306 300 668 42 298 915.6 12.8 0.7 6.6 2630 7.9 9.7 1843.3 78.3
Average 134.6 145.5 351.6 24.8 142.1 517 7.4 0.65 5.975 1394.2 7.2 5.2 933.1 57.6
Table 5.7: Different water quality parameters for springs in Nablus district (ARIJ Water Database, 1995)Ident No Ca Mg Na K HCO3 Cl NO3 F Temp EC pH SAR Hr %Na
S3001_____ 58 45 37 2 241 47.5 3.68 _ 21.3 544 7 0.9 329.5 27.5
S3002_____ 68 46 41 1 259 19.6 0.6 _ 19 586 7 0.9 358.6 26.9
S3003_____ 78 16 23 1 114 18.9 1.49 _ 19.7 514 7.3 0.6 260.6 20.3
S3004_____ 65 10 19 1 201 22.5 3.51 _ 20.2 388 6.9 0.6 203.5 21.1
S3005_____ 34 22 45 2 190 _ 2.18 _ 20.4 427 7.3 1.5 175.2 45.6
S3006_____ 35 20 48 2 281 17.3 2.7 _ 20.4 423 7.3 1.6 169.5 47.6
S3007_____ 34 4 18 0.3 39 16.1 2.01 _ 20.2 328 7 0.8 101.4 32.5
S3008_____ 52 7 11 0.5 162 10.2 1.85 _ 20.4 313 7.4 0.4 158.7 16.3
S3009_____ 55 8 22 1 193 21.6 2.54 0.5 20.3 385 7.3 0.7 170.3 26.7
S3010_____ 55 9 24 1 174 31.1 3.54 0.3 26.6 448 7.3 0.8 174.4 28.1
S3011_____ 64 10 51 2 174 20.4 9.93 0.01 10.6 368 7.6 1.6 201 41.7
S3012_____ 60 16 24 2 196 23.5 3.61 0.55 4.1 144 7.5 0.7 215.6 25.5
S3013_____ 265 116 702 42 81 609.8 0.18 _ 21 4600 7.9 9.1 1138.1 66.1
S3014_____ 55 10 25 1 207 10.3 1.45 _ 20.3 393 7.8 0.8 178.5 28.6
S4001_____ 73 29 30 12 237 40.6 10.99 _ 20.3 509 7.2 0.8 301.4 29.2
S5009_____ 39 36 10 2 161 11 3.75 _ 5.5 231 7.3 0.3 245.1 13.8
S5010_____ 41 36 5 2 198 10.8 3.63 _ 8.6 265 7.3 0.1 250.1 8.3
Minimum 34 4 5 0.3 39 10.2 0.18 0.01 4.1 144 6.9 0.1 101.4 8.3
Maximum 265 116 702 42 281 609.8 10.99 0.55 26.6 4600 7.9 9.1 1138.1 66.1
Average 66.5 25.9 66.8 4.4 182.8 58.2 3.4 0.34 17.6 639.2 7.3 1.3 272.4 29.7 The Badan and Far'a spring systems are of good water quality in the upstream areas, but the downstream at the conjunction between wadi El Far'a and wadi El Badan, the water is mixed with the untreated wastewater from the sewerage of Nablus city, thus subjecting the water stream to pollution. During water flow through the wadis, water recovers its good quality by aeration process.
Water Consumption:
Table 5.8 shows the water usage by Palestinians for different purposes in 1994. The total amount of water consumed by Palestinians for different purposes is about 39.7 MCM. About 7.8 MCM were utilized for domestic purposes while the other 31.9 MCM, were utilized for irrigation (WBWD, 1995). Those for irrigation (3.8 MCM/yr) come from Mekorot sources in Bardala and Ein El Bayda. Domestic water supplied by Mekorot for population of Nablus area is about (2.45 MCM/yr). In total, Mekorot shares by 6.25 MCM/yr for all purposes, while Palestinian sources share by 33.45 MCM/yr from wells and springs (Mekorot, 1995).
Table 5.8: Water usage in Nablus district (1993/1994)Water sources Water use W. Nablus district + Gore El Far'a Northern Jordan Valley Total (MCM)
Wells Domestic 5.785 _ 5.785
Irrigation 2.7 10.63 13.33
Sub-total (MCM) 8.485 10.63 19.115
Springs Domestic 2.007 _ 2.007
Irrigation 11.92 6.65 18.57
Sub-total (MCM) 13.927 6.65 20.577
Total (MCM) 22.412 17.28 39.692 The responsible bodies for water supply in Nablus district are:
- Nablus Municipality which is responsible for providing Palestinians of Nablus city from Badan well; in addition to 5 springs (Beit El Ma, Ras El Ein, El Asal, Dafna, Foad).
- Village councils: responsible for local springs of the villages surrounding Nablus city (Sabastiya, Ijnesiniya, Naqura....etc).
- UNRWA : responsible for Ein El Far'a to supply Far'a refugee camp.
- Private sector which is responsible for groundwater wells used for irrigation.
Water Distribution Network and Water Reservoirs
The total length of the distribution network in Nablus city at the end of 1995 was approximately 140 km and the water loss was estimated at about 30-35% (Nablus Municipality, 1995). There are no data about networks other than Nablus city. Nablus Municipality has 9 water reservoirs with a total capacity of 9,750 cubic meters. Table 5.9 shows the reservoir names and their capacities.
Table 5.9: Water reservoirs of Nablus city No Reservoir Name Capacity (m3)
1 Al - Qaryoun "1,500"
2 Ein Beit Elma "1,500"
3 Ein Dafna "5,000"
4 Al - Hursh 150
5 Ras El Ein 300
6 Ein El Asal 150
7 Al - Janoubi 500
8 Al - Shamali 500
9 Al - Rahibat 150
Total "9,750" Recommendations
- Distributed drinking water should be potable and should meet the international drinking water standards.
- Periodic quality control of water in abstraction wells, cisterns and distribution networks is needed.
- Drinking water distribution networks should be rehabilitated and installation of new networks is very necessary in small and rural communities.
- Spring protection and management programs should be developed at both the national and local levels. An organizational structure should be created to implement these programs and coordinate activities of the various agencies.
- The water allocation to the Palestinians must be increased to reduce the severe water shortage in the district.
