Foul Play: Neglect of wastewater treatment in the West Bank

B’Tselem - June 1, 2009 - Back to Resources Page [1]

Wastewater is a natural, daily product of human activity. Every government is obliged to treat wastewater to prevent and reduce sanitation and environmental hazards resulting from its
neglect. Untreated wastewater contains viruses, bacteria, parasites, and heavy, toxic metals
dangerous to the health of humans and animals. Failure to treat wastewater is liable, in the
short term, to pollute water sources and farm crops and cause stench, insect and rodent
nuisances. Over time, it is liable to pollute groundwater reserves, damage flora and fauna
systems and reduce land fertility.

Official sources estimate the amount of wastewater flowing in the West Bank – from the
settlements, from Jerusalem, and from Palestinian communities – at 91 million cubic meters
[mcm] a year. They also estimate that the average daily per capita amount of wastewater
produced by settlements is more than twice the amount produced by Palestinian
communities.

Despite the dangers inherent to wastewater flowing freely, the vast majority of wastewater in
the West Bank is not treated. This neglect is the subject of this report.

The first chapter discusses neglect regarding treatment of wastewater from settlements and
from Jerusalem channeled east. The second chapter deals with the neglect of wastewater
from Palestinian communities and delays in establishing treatment solutions. The third
chapter presents three illustrations of how settlements pollute nearby Palestinian water
sources and farmland. The fourth chapter details Israel’s obligations under international
humanitarian law and human rights law, as the occupying state, to ensure the needs of the
civilian population in the occupied territory and to care for their welfare, which includes
preventing the pollution of water sources.

Please see link below to view entire report.

Attachment	Size
Foul_Play_eng.pdf [2]	504.58 KB

B’Tselem - June 1, 2009 - Back to Resources Page [1]