Innovative Water Solutions for Palestine
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Innovative Water Solutions for Palestine
August 2014
Program Partners
For more information, please contact:
• Dr. Irna van der Molen molen@msm.nl +31 53 4893542
• Dr. Gül Özerol g.ozerol@utwente.nl +31 53 4894171
• Dr. Maher Abu‐Madi abumadi@birzeit.edu +970 2 2982120
Objectives and Scope
The overall objective of Palestinian‐Dutch Academic Cooperation Program on Water (PADUCO) is to improve the
individual, organizational and institutional capacity of the Palestinian higher education sector in the area of water.
This will, on the mid‐ and the longer term, contribute to the effectiveness of the Palestinian water sector
regarding the development, provision and management of water resources and services.
We believe that innovative research adds to the capacity of the water sector, both in the public and private
sphere, towards solving the water problems in the region. Therefore the program incorporates 11 innovative
research projects for the First Phase (2014‐2015).
Central themes
1. Non‐conventional water resources 2. Water, sanitation and public health
3. Water management and governance 4. Water and agricultural production
Business Opportunities
All four themes of PADUCO incorporate the development and testing of new technology, innovative methods, or
the introduction of new systems. These offer interesting business opportunities for the Dutch and Palestinian
private sector, including companies and NGOs.
PADUCO aims to engage the private sector in a variety of ways, such as exchange of scientific information, co‐
developing new solutions, providing pilot environments to test existing products and services, involvement in
academic teaching, contributions to professional training, adjustment of curricula to the needs of the private
sector, fellowships for researchers and traineeships to students. Concrete opportunities identified within the 11
research projects are presented in this booklet.
4
NON‐CONVENTIONAL WATER RESOURCES
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Potential for Managed Aquifer Recharge and Storage in the West Bank
Partners: Birzeit University, Technical University of Delft
Contact persons: Dr. Marwan Ghanem, Ebel Smidt
Problem addressed
The West Bank is facing water scarcity. In some of the sub‐basins in the western
and eastern catchments this resulted in lowering of the groundwater tables.
A huge amount of runoff is lost during floods that occur within the hydrological
cycle of seven years. This loss could be reduced, when excess water could be stored
in artificial recharge sites. These sites could also be used to store treated
wastewater. Identifying the potential artificial recharge site/s provides therefore a
major opportunity to reduce water scarcity in the West Bank.
Scope and objectives
One of the top priorities at the national level is to find suitable methods for storing
water in winter times to be used in summer times. The objective of the project is to
identify the potential areas for artificial recharge in the western and eastern
catchments of the West Bank through hydrological investigation, hydro‐
geochemical investigation and remote sensing and geo‐electrical investigation.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and manufacturers:
• Apply and test innovative hydrological investigation methods;
• Apply and test existing hydro‐geochemical investigation methods;
• Apply and test existing remote sensing methods;
• Evaluate whether these meet the requirements in the Palestine context
6
Potential Artificial Recharge Sites for Treated Wastewater along Wadi Al Faria Basin
Partners: Al‐Quds University, Technical University of Delft
Contact persons: Dr. Amer Marei, Ebel Smidt
Problem addressed
Groundwater is the main source of water in the West Bank. While approximately 65%
of the water is consumed by the agricultural sector, the surface water is polluted by
raw wastewater flows in open drainage system. In Wadi Al Faria, the private sector
started to invest in high value crops such as medicine herbs, potato and bell pepper.
However, the untreated wastewater causes environmental deterioration in terms of
water quality, soil quality and the food safety of crops.
Scope and objectives
The main objective of the project is to identify potential artificial recharge sites in
Wadi Al Faria, where treated wastewater could be stored under the ground and then
be used for agricultural purposes. The field and lab research includes geological cross
section, hydro‐geological maps, hydro‐geochemical and isotopes maps, geophysical
cross section, water quality maps and hydro‐chemical mixing concept model.
Potential business opportunities
For the food industry :
• Enhance the quality and food safety of crops
For engineering firms and/or manufacturers:
• Apply and test hydro‐geological, hydro‐geochemical and/or geophysical methods,
• Produce reliable water quality maps
• Develop new models, and evaluate the appropriateness in the Palestinian context 7
Heavy Metals Effects on Membrane Bioreactors: Mechanisms and Fouling Reductions
Partners: Birzeit University, Technical University of Delft
Contact persons: Dr. Rashed Al‐Sa`ed, Prof. Jules van Lier
Problem addressed
The use of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for municipal wastewater treatment (WWT)
has increased. However, biofouling continues to hamper the further expansion of the
application of MBRs. A more in‐depth understanding of the removal of pollutants,
biofouling and process performance of MBRs is required to successfully implement
and ensure their sustainability.
Scope and objectives
The objectives of this project are
• to monitor and control MBR performance
• to investigate the impacts of heavy metals on biofouling of membranes
• to develop measures to reduce biofouling.
This includes the use of a lab scale MBR system for municipal wastewater treatment
to produce a treated effluent that is biologically safe and suitable for unrestricted use.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and/or manufacturers:
• Apply and test innovative existing membrane treatment solutions
• Evaluate the extent to which they meet the requirements for long‐
lasting use in Palestine.
8
Renewable Energy for Wastewater Treatment in Nablus Area
Partners: An‐Najah National University , University of Twente
Contact persons: Dr. Wafa Hassan, Assoc. Prof. Joy Clancy
Problem addressed Scope and objectives
Palestine experiences substantial problems in water, food and energy The objective of the project is to increase income and
security. This project suggests an innovative technique of using food security of local residents, by providing treated
renewable energy to treat wastewater. The wastewater, once properly wastewater for irrigation of crops. During the first phase,
treated, can be reused for irrigation and thereby contribute to food a feasibility study will indicate under which conditions a
security. The treated water will serve the agricultural land that will be small wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) can be
rented by the residents in a village close to Nablus, targeting in constructed to contribute to the income and food security
particular financially disadvantaged women. This project will be the of local residents. The second phase includes the design
first in Palestine to treat wastewater using renewable energy. and planning of such a wastewater treatment plant.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and/or manufacturers with technical expertise and/or innovative equipment:
• Provide technical expertise and bring and test equipment for the WWTP on renewable energy;
• Evaluate the extent to which these meet the requirements for long‐lasting use in Palestine.
9
Treatment of Olive Mill Waste at Rural Areas in the West Bank
Partners: Birzeit University, UNESCO‐IHE Institute for Water Education
Contact persons: Dr. Omar Zimmo, Dr. Peter Van der Steen
Problem addressed Scope and objectives
Olive mill waste (OMW), which consist of solid and liquid by‐ The objective of the project is to develop appropriate
products of olive oil production, is a major environmental technology for the treatment of olive mill waste in
pollutant due to its high organic load, pH, and concentration Palestine. For this purpose, small scale conventional
of phytotoxic compounds. The problem is particularly severe activated sludge and trickling filter treatment systems will
in the West Bank. Olive mill waste is disposed of without be constructed in a rural area of Palestine. The
treatment into wadis, open areas and cesspools, generating concentration of phytotoxic compounds will be analyzed
odour, surface water and groundwater pollution. Current at UNESCO‐IHE laboratories. The solid part of OMW, the
advanced treatment methods cannot be applied in the West main by‐product of the two‐phase oil extraction, will be
Bank due to limited availability of resources. converted into a valuable soil additive, rich in nutrients
for continual, sustainable agricultural activities.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and/or manufacturers:
• Apply and test sludge and trickling filter treatment
systems and evaluate whether the implementation
is feasible in Palestine.
For the olive oil industry:
• Develop methods to treat olive mill waste
• Produce soil additives for sustainable agriculture
10
WATER SANITATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Formation Potential of Disinfection By‐Products from Treated Wastewater and Groundwater in
Palestine: Environmental and Health Impacts
Partners: Al‐Quds University, Technical University of Delft
Contact persons: Dr. Amer Kanan, Prof. Dr. Jules van Lier
Problem addressed
Water resources are scarce in Palestine.
The use of treated wastewater is therefore recommended as an alternative source of
water for irrigation, and to a lesser extent, drinking water. Chlorine is widely used to
disinfect treated wastewater. However, the reaction of chlorine with the organic matter
present in treated effluents forms mutagenic and carcinogenic disinfection by‐products
(DBPs). The potential toxicity of THMs resulted in guidelines by international public
organizations. However, until now, THMs were not investigated in wastewater treatment
effluents in Palestine.
Scope and objectives
The objective is to investigate the formation potential of THMs from chlorination of
wastewater effluents from three treatment plants (using different technologies, among
others UV‐based) and compare this with chlorinated groundwater sources used in
drinking water and for irrigation. This requires: assessment of formation potential of
THMs in (un)treated wastewater and in groundwater samples, and assessment of the
effects of bromide incorporation on THMs formation and speciation.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and/or manufacturers with innovative UV solutions:
• Apply and test UV solutions and other treatment solutions for water disinfection;
• Evaluate whether and how such methods can contribute to water disinfection in Palestine.
12
Sensors for Water Quality Assessment
Partners: Palestine Technical University Kadoorie, Technical University of Delft
Contact persons: Dr. Nawaf Abu‐Khalaf, Prof. Paddy French
Problem addressed Scope and objectives
Scarcity of water resources in Palestine is combined with rapid fresh Electronic tongue (ET) will be designed and
water resources quality deterioration, due to salinity and tested for the assessment of water quality from
contamination processes. One of the emerging technologies for different water sources. This includes: testing the
online water quality monitoring is the electronic tongue (ET). The ability of ET to measure different chemical and
electronic tongue is a system, which consists of a number of low physical parameters for different types of water.
selective sensors and uses advanced mathematical procedures for This project will be a first step in a vision aiming
signal processing. The use of ET has significant advantages: It is for use of sensors in agriculture in Palestine.
simple, rapid, robust, and enables simultaneous determination of
several components and measure directly in the solutions.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and manufacturers:
• Provide and test solutions (from remote sensors to
remote sensor networks) that are simple, rapid and
robust, and compare these with the electronic tongue.
For farmers or communities of farmers:
• Acquire knowledge to assess water quality in order to
enhance the quality of crops.
13
WATER MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
Rethinking the Water Governance Systems to Cope with Water Scarcity
Partners: An‐Najah National University, University of Twente, Wageningen University
Contact persons: Prof. Dr. Marwan Haddad, Dr. Jeroen Warner, Dr. Gül Özerol
Problem addressed Scope and objectives
As water demand grows in the Middle East and North The objective of this project is to assess the water
Africa (MENA) region and impacts of climate change are governance systems in Palestine and two other
experienced, water availability will decrease. Accordingly, countries that will be selected from the MENA
water governance systems are increasingly challenged. region. A comparative assessment of governance
They need to provide sufficient and safe water to support systems in the MENA region will be used to develop a
livelihood and economic activities while also protecting water governance model for Palestine and provide
the life‐supporting functions of ecosystems. policy‐relevant information (i.e. policy guidelines)
that can be useful to improve the governance
capacity to cope with increasing water scarcity.
Potential business opportunities
For consultancy and training companies:
• Acquire knowledge and test
methods to assess water governance
systems; to advice and train public
and private organisations.
15
Development of Agricultural Best Management Practices to Preserve Groundwater Quality
Partners: An‐Najah National University, Wageningen University
Contact persons: Dr. Sameer Shadeed, Dr. Jeroen Warner
Problem addressed
Scope and objectives
Preserving the quality of groundwater resources is of
vital importance to secure a sustainable water supply in The project will develop an efficient management tool to
the West Bank. However, common agricultural practices support sustainable agricultural practices, so that
contribute to contamination of groundwater resources. groundwater contamination is minimized, while socio‐
There is, at present, a shortage of guidelines or tools to economic conditions are enhanced. The project includes the
enhance sustainable agricultural practices. development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are
practical and can be easily implemented. The ultimate
outcome of the proposed project is an improved practice of
agriculture to protect the quality of groundwater.
Potential business opportunities
For consultancy and training companies:
• Provide advice and training to public and private
agricultural organisations on Best Management
Practices to minimize groundwater pollution.
For farmers or communities of farmers:
• Acquire knowledge to adapt agricultural
practices in order to enhance the quality and
yield of crops.
16
Evaluation and Assessment of Groundwater Resources in the Eastern Aquifer, Palestine
Partners: Applied Research Institute ‐ Jerusalem, Palestine Technical University Kadoorie, University of Twente
Contact persons: Fadi Dweik, Dr. Mahmoud Rahil, Dr. Suhyb Salama
Problem addressed
The Palestinian Water Authority is responsible for assessing the water budget
in Palestine. However, a high‐resolution scientific assessment of available
water resources in Palestine has not been accomplished yet.
Scope and objectives
The project aims to introduce a new methodology to assess the water budget
in Palestine at high resolution in space and time. This assessment includes
estimates of evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and groundwater recharge to
the aquifer systems in Palestine. The project evaluates available groundwater
resources in Palestine, and calculates the safe yield of each basin.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and manufacturers :
• Apply and test their own innovative solutions to asses water
budget components (including web‐based hydro‐informatics
solutions and mobile applications to present key water
management information).
For consultancy and training companies:
• Increase knowledge on methods to assess water budget
components and to advise public and private organizations.
17
WATER AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Improving Crop Yield and Production from Rainfed Agriculture in Jenin
Partners: Birzeit University, University of Twente
Contact persons: Dr. Maher Abu‐Madi, Dr. Suhyb Salama, Dr. Gül Özerol
Problem addressed Scope and objectives
Water scarcity and climate change have severe impacts on The overall objective is to improve the policies and strategies
agriculture and food security in Palestine. Agriculture in concerning rainfed agriculture. For this purpose, we will first identify
Jenin governorate contributes to the Palestinian food the factors that affect food security in Jenin governorate, such as crop
basket and offers subsistence to large number of poor yield, agricultural production, marketing of agricultural produce, and
families in the governorate, which relies on rainfed associated policies and strategies. Secondly, satellite observations
agriculture due to water shortage. Underlying assumption and process modelling will be utilized for quantifying the present and
is that the lack of monitoring and forecasting of water modelling future water availability. Results will include a system for
availability hampers agricultural production. monitoring and forecasting of water availability.
Potential business opportunities
For engineering firms and/or manufacturers:
• Explore the potential contribution of modern irrigation
techniques in rainfed agriculture
• Apply and test innovative solutions of forecasting water
availability (including web‐based solutions in portals and
mobile applications)
For consultancy and training companies:
• Provide knowledge and methods for forecasting water
availability
• Provide training on the use of web‐based solutions
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This initiative is supported by the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah, the General Delegation of Palestine in the Hague,
Palestinian Water Authority, Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority, Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Palestinian Ministry of
Higher Education, Netherlands Water Partnership and Netherlands Enterprise Agency.You can also read
