Partnering Communities

The Jordan Valley Regional Council consists of numerous rural communities on both sides of the Jordan River between the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee and to Kibbutz Ashdot Ya’cov further south. The area is rich in important archeological sites documenting the wealth of human history in the Jordan River Valley. The area played a significant role in Modern Jewish history, with the first kibbutz founded in Degania and the construction of the Rotenberg Hydro Electric Power Station. Large projects whose environmental impacts were מot fully considered include the Degania Dam at the mouth of the Sea of Galilee and the Israel National Water Carrier, all leading to the diversion of waters from the Jordan River and the redirection of saline springs into the River.

Community members have identified the following obstacles and challenges of urgent concern:

1) Fresh water diversion

2) Untreated or partially treated sewage discharged into the Jordan River

3) Lack of access to the Jordan River

and suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, the Jordan Valley Regional Council has identified the Jordan River Peace Park as a "Priority Project", together with it’s partnering community, Muaz bin Jabal. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 25).

Currently the new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) near the Alumot Dam is near completion. The WWTP will begin working in the start of 2013 and will mitigate the amount of pollution flowing into the Jordan River. In the future, a desalination plant will also be established on the site in order to desalinate saline waters from the National Water Carrier that now flow into the river. Removing the pollutants from the Jordan River was FoEME’s goal in the past, and today, after the issue has been pushed forward, we are moving ahead with the issue of returning clean water to the river in order to support its long term survival, including plants and animals.

A video (in Hebrew) about the demise of the Lower Jordan River, with FoEME’s July 2005 BIG JUMP! event filmed, Mayor Yossi Vardi and FoEME Israeli Director Gidon Bromberg talking about the demise of the Lower Jordan River…

"Jordan River"

Muaz Bin Jabal is a medium sized cluster of towns and villages incorporating several communities totaling 25,000 residents. Located in the heart of the Jordan River Valley, Muaz Bin Jabal is 215-150 meters below sea level.

Many of the problems facing Muaz Bin Jabal result from poor urban planning and a lack of municipal resources to resolve the issues. Due to the lack of municipal wastewater collection system the majority of the residents maintain open cesspits. Consequently, waste water sometimes floods the village streets, ultimately reaching the Al Arab Stream and then the Jordan River.

The community members that have met during the year have identified the following areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) Lack of parks and open spaces

2) No sewage network or treatment facility

3) Limited socio-economic opportunities and revenues

4) No industrial zoning

5) High traffic density

6) Poor agricultural practices

and suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Muaz bin Jabal has identified the Jordan River Peace Park as a "Priority Project", together with it’s partnering community, the Jordan Valley Regional Council. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project"(page 25).

Al-Hemma – The municipality of Kahled Ben Al-Waleed lies in the northern part of Jordan, 25 km. from the city of Irbid. The municipality’s area covers 33,947,000 sq. meters, and has a population of 21,232 people. It overlooks the Sea of Galilee / Lake Tiberias and the hills of Jolan. Its natural environment is rich with olive and forest trees, is considered a distinguished tourist area in Jordan and attracts tourists year round.

The community of Hemma has identified the need for a Waste Water Sanitation Solution for the GWN communities in Jordan as it’s "Priority Project". Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 40).

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BEIT SHEAN VALLEY REGIONAL COUNCIL AND BEIT SHEAN CITY (Israel) / TABKAT FAHAL (Jordan) / SHARHABIL BIN HASSNAH (Jordan)

Shared Water Resource: Jordan River and its tributaries; Ziglab stream (Jordan) / Nahal Harod (Israel)

Beit Shean is located in the Jordan Valley area of Israel, and has a population of 16,000. The Beit Shean Valley has been described with these words: "If paradise is in the holy land, Beit Shean is its door step". It was the capital of the great Roman Decapolis cities and is still blessed with much natural beauty.

Local wells supply the area with water. Most of the towns in the region, including the city of Beit Shean, have no sewage treatment facilities. After only primary treatment, sewage flows into the Harod stream and eventually to the Jordan River, contributing to the severe contamination of the Jordan River. A sewage treatment plant is currently being built for the region.

Beit Shean has identified the following area of urgent environmental concern:

1) Improper wastewater management

and suggested solutions to this general problem. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Beit She’an has identified the Rehabilitation of the Harod Stream as a "Priority Project", together with it’s partnering community Tabket Fahel. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 27).

Tabkat Fahal is a medium sized cluster of towns and villages, totaling approximately 25,000 residents. The area is home to the important archeological site of Pella, one of the great Roman Decapolis cities. Additionally, the northern Jordanian / Israeli border crossing is located in this area.

Tabkat Fahal’s main water resources for agriculture are the King Abdullah Canal, the Ziglab Dam, and the Wadi Al Arab dam. The main source of drinking water is Wadi Al Arab well, and water is pumped directly to a reservoir in North Shuneh.

The Tabkat Fahal communities have identified the following areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) Lack of parks and open spaces

2) No municipality wide sewage network and treatment facilities

3) No industrial zoning

4) Poor agricultural practices

5) High traffic density

and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Tabket Fahel has identified the Rehabilitation of the Harod Stream / Wadi Ziglab as a "Priority Project" together with it’s partnering community of Beit She’an. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 27). They have also identified as a "Priority Project" the need for Waste Water Sanitation Solutions for the GWN communities in Jordan (page 40).

Sharhabil bin Hassnah covers an area of about 87 sq. km, with a population of approximately 42,000 persons. It includes two municipalities; "Sharhabil ben Hassna" and "Wadi Rayan". The area of "Sharhabil ben Hassna" lies to the south-west of the governorate of Irbid, on the east bank of Jordan River. It lies 300m below sea level, and named after the shrine of "Sharhabil ben Hassna", a Companion of the Prophet Mohammed. The area includes other religious locations and the Valley of Kofranja, which feeds into the Jordan River and supplies water to nearby farms. The valley is presently facing environmental problems, and in need of rehabilitation and protection.

Recently, Sharhabil bin Hassneh has identified the need for a Waste Water Sanitation Solution for the GWN communities in Jordan as it’s "Priority Project". Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 40).

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BARDALA (Palestine) / AUJA (Palestine) /JERICHO (Palestine) / DIER ALLAH (Jordan) / SOUTH SHOUNA (Jordan)

Shared Water Resource: Jordan River

Bardala is in the Jordan Valley area of Palestine, and has an estimated population of 3,000. The area has fertile land, and substantial groundwater potential. Mekorot, the Israeli national water company, has a pumping station in the middle of the village that supplies water to the residents but also to nearby Israeli settlements – an issue that causes animosity. The village water network has recently been upgraded to reduce leakage and improve service but remains inadequate. There is no sewage treatment system, and residents depend on cesspits for sewage disposal, which leads to contamination of the groundwater. The main industry of the village is agriculture.

Fasayel is a Palestinian village in the Jericho governorate. It is located 23 km to the north-east of Jericho and on the eastern regional road which connects Beit Shean with the Dead Sea along the Jordan River, and it is 250m below sea level. Population in this village is 1,132 people divided into four families, all these families are nomadic; they come from different areas searching for pasture and water. Fasayel is surrounded by many agricultural lands cultivated with vegetables and banana fields. Many fields have been abandoned however, due to lack of water allocation.

Fasayel suffers from two serious water issues;

1. Sewage Network

2. Public Network

Recently, Fasayel has identified Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement as a "Priority Project", with the support of their partnering communities Beit She’an and Sharhabil bin Hassneh. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 31)

Auja lies 12 km. north of Jericho City along the Jordan Valley’s main road. The town dates back to the Roman period, when it was part of the Roman city of Archillas. It has an area of about 10 square kilometers, and a population of about 4,500 people. The main source of income is agriculture but there is also commercial activity, although to a lesser extent.

The main water supply for the village comes from seven local springs. The water supply network is old and in need of rehabilitation, and the wastewater is disposed in cesspits. The community lacks a sewage network as well as any place for the disposal of their solid waste. The village has great potential for local eco-tourism as the springs of Auja are well reputed and the nature in the area is quite beautiful.

The Auja community has identified the following areas of environmental concern:

1) Lack of water supply

2) Improper wastewater disposal

3) Improper solid waste disposal

4) Agriculture and livestock keeping

5) Wadi Auja, pollution

and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Auja has identified the need for Sanitation Solutions for Al Auja Village as it’s "Priority Project", with the support of it’s partnering community, Dier Allah. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 29).

Click here to see the France 24 TV video: "The Battle for Water in the West Bank" – The second story in this news clip depicts the difficult water reality in Auja. Gidon Bromberg is interviewed and describes the situation.

Jericho is located in the Jordan Rift Valley, approximately 8 km west of the Jordan River and 10 km. north of the Dead Sea. It lies 250 meters below sea level and is therefore the lowest city in the world! It is also one of the world’s oldest cities, at 10,000 years old. The area within the municipality borders extends over 45 square kilometers, with an estimated population of 20,500. The average annual amount of rainfall is 150 millimeters, which is less than that of the surrounding mountains and the coastal region. Therefore the entire area relies exclusively on subterranean wells and springs for drinking and irrigation. The spring of Ein Al-Sultan is the main source of water. It has an output of 680 cubic meters an hour and a salinity of 600 ppm and provides a steady output throughout the year.

In addition to its historic and tourist sites, Jericho is considered to be an important area for agriculture. It is famous for its citrus fruits, dates, bananas, flowers and winter vegetables.

The Jericho community has identified the following areas of environmental concern:

1) Improper wastewater disposal

2) Improper solid waste disposal

3) Improper pesticide usage

4) Wadi Qelt, pollution

5) Kaser el Yehud baptism site, lack of access

and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Jericho has identified the need for an Extension of a Water Supply Pipeline in Jericho and the Rehabilitaiton of the Al Dyouk Neighborhood Water Network as "Priority Projects", with the support of it’s partnering communities. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 33).

Dier Allah is in the Middle of the Jordan valley of Jordan. The area extends from Al Zarqa River south to the Kofranja triangle north, which is nearly 10 km long. This area is unique in the Jordan Valley and characterized with the highest educational percentage. The population is approximately 25,000 and the majority works in the agricultural sector. The area is famous for green house agriculture which mainly produces cucumber, tomato, eggplants and strawberry. The main water resources are the King Talal Dam and the seasonal Wadi Rajib spring.

The Deir Allah communities have identified the following areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) Lack of parks and open spaces

2) Improper wastewater management

3) Improper solid waste management

4) No industrial zoning

5) Heavy traffic

and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Dier Allah has identified the need for Waste Water Sanitation Solutions for the GWN communities in Jordan as it’s "Priority Project". Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 40).

South Shouna – The district of Southern Shouna, approximately 30 km. from Amman, includes the areas of Rama, Rawdha, Joufa, Nahda, Karama, Kafrain, and new Shouna. It is situated in the Ghour area and considered the lowest area on the Earth! Its proximity to the Dead Sea makes it an attraction for tourists. The area is also known for its agricultural produce of citrus and banana trees. It is also home to the famous Statue of the Unknown Soldier in the area of Karama.

Recently, the community of South Shouna has identified the need for Waste Water Sanitation Solutions for the GWN communities in Jordan as it’s "Priority Project". Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 40).

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GILBOA REGIONAL COUNCIL (Israel) / JALAMEH (JENIN GOV.) (Palestine)

Shared Water Resource: Kishon River/ Naher al Mukataa and the Mountain Aquifer

Gilboa Regional Council is situated in the north of Israel, Southeast to the Jezreel Valley, at the foot of the Gilboa Mountain. It is comprised of 33 villages (moshavim, kibbutzim, Arab villages and community villages), is spread over 250,000 dunams and has a population of 25,200 residents. Agriculture is an important source of livelihood for Gilboa residents; they include the growing of cotton, wheat, sunflower seeds, flowers, fish ponds, dairy farms and chicken coups. Its industrial production includes canning factories, metal manufacturing, carpentry, electronics, plastics and printing.

Recently, the Gilboa Regional Council identified Stream Rehabilitation and a Cross Border Park as a "Priority Project" together with it’s partnering community of Jalameh. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 17).

Jalameh (Jenin Governorate) is located in the northern part of the West Bank. Jenin has a population of approximately 256,000 residents, with an average household size of 5.4 persons, representing 10.9 % of the total West Bank population. Jenin is known for its fertile land and its agriculture.

Jalameh is located on the Green Line, to the North of the Jenin district, and includes a main crossing point to Israel. Jalameh has a population of 3,000 residents.

Environmental issues in Jalameh include the following:

1) Farmers in the village use high amounts of pesticides and fertilizers which contributes to non-point source pollution

2) Sewage comes from the Jalameh crossing (Terminal) causing bad odors, pollution and public health hazards.

3) The village has no sewage network and thus relies only on cesspits.

4) Many of the domestic cisterns are adjacent to the cesspits which causes water contamination.

Recently, Jalameh identified Stream Rehabilitation and a Cross Border Park as a "Priority Project" together with it’s partnering community of the Gilboa Regional Council. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 17).

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BAKA AL SHARKIA (Palestine) / BAKA AL GHARBIA-JAT (Israel)

Shared Water Resource: Wadi Abu Nar / Mountain Aquifer

Baka al Sharkia is located in the West Bank about 16 kilometers north of Tulkarem city, with a population of approximately 4,200. There are four privately owned artesian wells in the village that are used for irrigation and domestic purposes. Following the construction of the Security Barrier and the isolation of the community from trading with neighboring communities, more than 70% of the residents now depend solely on agricultural revenues for thier livelihood.

The Baka al Sharkia community has identified the following areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) Poor water supply and quality

2) Improper wastewater management

3) Improper solid waste management

4) Wadi Abu Nar, pollution

5) Lack of public green spaces

and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Baka Sharkia identified 2 "Priority Projects" together with it’s partnering community of Baka Gharbia, namely the Completion of the Baka Sharkia Sewage Collection Network and it’s Link to the Israeli Side Treatment Plant, and the Development of the Hadera / Abu Naar Stream Cross Border Park. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 15 and 16 respectively).

Baka al Gharbia-Jat is located in Israel, to the west of Baka el-Sharkia, and has a population of approximately 25,000. Land use is divided between agriculture (55%), housing (30%), and public buildings and other uses (15%). Since the 1950’s, Mekorot has provided water to the town. There is no sewage system in the town, though 35% of the houses have pipes installed for a sewage network that does not yet exist. Domestic garbage is collected twice a week and transferred to domestic waste treatment plant in the area.

The Baka al Gharbia-Jat community has identified the following critical issues:

1) Wadi Abu Nar, pollution

2) Unauthorized garbage dump

3) Lack of sewage and drainage infrastructure

4) Industrial Zone

5) Neglected open areas

6) The burning of solid waste within residential neighborhoods

7) Route 61

and have suggested solutions to some of these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Baka Gharbia identified 2 "Priority Projects" together with it’s partnering community of Baka Sharkia, namely the Completion of the Baka Sharkia Sewage Collection Network and it’s Link to the Israeli Side Treatment Plant, and the Development of the Hadera / Abu Naar Stream Cross Border Park. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 15 and 16 respectively).

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TULKAREM (Palestine) / EMEK HEFER (Israel)

Shared Water Resource: Wadi Zomar (Nablus) / Alexander River / Mountain Aquifer

Tulkarem is a major Palestinian city, with a population of 88,000 people. The city is known for its fertile land and for its agricultural production. Groundwater is the only source of water supply. Domestic water is supplied through 10 water wells, of which the municipality owns 4, and 6 are privately owned. The water network is old and water losses can reach up to 35%. The sewage network is outdated and covers 56% of the population with the sewage flowing into the Alexander / Schem River. The main public dumping site is located upstream of Tulkarem. The soil is not sealed, and no protective measures have been taken to avoid infiltration into groundwater resources.

The Tulkarem community has identified the following areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) No sewage network or treatment facility

2) Improper solid waste disposal

3) Improper use of pesticides

4) No public awareness in neighboring communities

and have suggested solutions to some of these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Tulkarem has identified 2 "Priority Projects" with it’s partnering community of Emek Hefer, namely the need to Address Cross Border Air and Water Pollution from Industry and the need to Address Cross Border Industrial Waste Water Pollution of the Zomer / Alexander Stream. Read more in the publicaton "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 11 and 13 respectively).

Emek Hefer is a regional municipality with a jurisdiction of 130,000 dunams, of which 80,000 are agricultural, irrigated, and cultivated. The municipality is comprised of 37,000 residents, from 29 Kibbutzim (collective villages) and Moshavim (cooperative farms). Agriculture and small factories are the main industries. The Alexander/Schem River flows through the middle of the region, and suffers from pollution due to domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources.

The Emek Hefer community has its own website describing activities of the Good Water Neighbors project.

Click on the Power Point Presentation with many photos and explanations (in Hebrew) showing children from the Bat Hefer school building a "reconstructed wetland", under the guidance of Arnon Goren, and a new rainwater harvesting project in the local elementary school.

The residents of the Emek Hefer Regional Council have identified three primary environmental issues that have a direct and dangerous impact on ground water resources:

1) Untreated wastewater disposal in Nablus and Alexander Rivers

2) Untreated solid waste dumping

3) Mosquito outbreaks

and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, Emek Hefer has identified 2 "Priority Projects" with it’s partnering community of Tulkarem, namely the need to Address Cross Border Air and Water Pollution from Industry and the need to Address Cross Border Industrial Waste Water Pollution of the Zomer / Alexander Stream. Read more in the publicaton "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 11 and 13 respectively).

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WADI FUKIN (Palestine) / TZUR HADASSA (Israel)

Wadi Fukin is located in the West Bank to the west of Bethlehem, and has a population of approximately 1,200, mostly farmers, who sell their produce to the Bethlehem area.

The Fukin Valley is one of the Judean Hill’s most impressive natural landscapes. The village of Wadi Fukin is an outstanding, well preserved model of a traditional agricultural way of life, developed thousands of years ago. The community has harnessed the water flowing from the valley’s eleven springs to nourish their fields. Kilometers of canals direct the spring water to storage pools and onwards to agricultural plots. Currently, the agricultural way of life and natural landscape is endangered by massive urban development surrounding the village.

Information on the threats facing the ancient, fragile agricultural system and livelihoods of the village of Wadi Fukin can be found in this Background document and this power point presentation.

Short video clips taken recently (July, 2013) show how the sewage from the settlement of Beitar Ellite on the hillside above Wadi Fukin, spill over and down into the agricultural fields of the village, polluting the soil, and rendering them useless for growing crops. FoEME has reported this to the relevant Israeli authorities and will follow up to make sure this does not continue.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

A TV report on Israel’s Channel 1 (in Hebrew) reports on the threats facing this unique agricultural village and the cooperation fostered between their community and Tsur Hadassah.

This video Palestinians battle Israeli wall, produced by Al Jazeera, depicts the challenges facing Wadi Fuqin, and highlights the cooperation with its neighboring Israeli community of Tzur Hadassah in the framework of Friends of the Earth Middle East’s Good Water Neighbors Project.

You can view a power point presentation of a new alternative master plan (in English) / alternative master plan (in Hebrew) that has been developed for Wadi Fukin.

Fahmi Manasra, resident of Wadi Fukin speaks about his community and cooperation with the neighboring community of Tzur Hadassa in THE ELDERS Middle East blog, following the joint meeting on August 28, 2009.

December 2012: FoEME’s efforts to protect the unique terraced landscape in BATTIR led us to submit a petition to the High Court in Israel. Below are related documents for this effort:

Petition to the Israeli High Court

Expert Opinion – Mike Turner

Expert Opinion – SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)

Expert Opinion – IUCN (World Conservation Union, Israel National Committee)

Expert Opinion – NPA (Israel Nature and Parks Authority)

Recently, Wadi Fukin and the West Bethlehem villages have identified 2 "Priority Projects", together with it’s partnering community of Tzur Hadassah and the wider Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, namely Cross Border Preservation of Terraced Landscapes, and Advancing Sanitation Solutions in West Bethlehem Villages. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (pages 7 and 9 respectively).

Tzur Hadassa is located in the Jerusalem district, in the Judean Hills of Israel. The town has a population of approximately 4,000. Drinking water is pumped from wells on the west side of the Mountain Aquifer into a local water reservoir. Sewage is pumped through a main pipeline to the Nahal Soreq sewage treatment plant. The community is considered middle class with most residents working in the service sector in the Jerusalem area.

Together, the communities of Tzur Hadassa and Wadi Fukin have identified specific areas of urgent environmental concern, and have suggested solutions to these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

Recently, Tzur Hadassah and the wider area of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, together with it’s partnering community of Wadi Fukin and the West Bethlehem villages identified 2 "Priority Projects", namely Cross Border Preservation of Terraced Landscapes, and Advancing Sanitation Solutions in West Bethlehem Villages. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (pages 7 and 9 respectively).

Gali Agnon, peace activist and former Field Staff in Tzur Hadassa, blogs about how she began to market organic vegetables from the West Bank into Israel in THE ELDERS Middle East blog, following the joint meeting on August 28, 2009.

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ABASAN (Palestine) / ESHEL HANASI (Israel) / ESHKOL REGIONAL COUNCIL (Israel) / YATTA (HEBRON GOV.) (Palestine)

Shared Water Resource: Wadi Gaza / Be’er Sheva Stream

Abasan (Abasan Al-Kabira) is located to the east of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. The population is estimated at 21,000, with a growth rate 5.5-6.0%, significantly highter than the 3.97% natural growth rate average across the Gaza Strip. Water for agriculture use is supplied through 17 wells, in addition to water imported from the Al-FAO Company. Wastewater is disposed through cesspits, which are emptied by municipal and privately-owned tankers. Solid waste is collected by the Solid Waste Council located in Deir Al-Balah.

The Abasan Al-Kabira community has identified the following areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) Water resources scarcity

2) Lack of wastewater collection and treatment services

3) Improper solid waste collection service

4) Poor agricultural practices

The Abasan Al-Kabira youth "Water Trustees" have created an animated movie on the subject of water conservation. Click here, on their own website, to view it.

Recently, Abasan identified the need to Construct a Storm Water Collection System in Abasan, with the support of it’s partnering community, Eshkol Regional Council, as a "Priority Project". Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 23).

Eshel Hanasi is a regional school and youth village for students from the northern Negev rural communities in Israel. The school emphasizes community service, tolerance, professional training, and personal development. Work is considered a key educational component and each student spends one day a week working on the school’s farm. As a GWN community, Eshel Hanasi’s water focus is centered on the Beer Sheva stream, the largest water basin in the country. The Beer Sheva stream flows into Wadi Gaza. The stream is mainly polluted by solid waste, urban wastewater, and quarry waste.

See plan of Eshel Hanasi’s Agricultural Garden

The Eshel Hanasi community has identified the following areas of environmental concern:

1) Better environmental management

2) Wastewater management, model recycling program

Eshkol Regional Council

Eshkol Regional Council spreads from the west side of Be’er-She’va to the Gaza strip. It is one of the largest regional councils in Israel with vast agricultural lands and includes 33 communities – 14 Kibbutim (collective villages) and 17 Moshavim (cooperative farms). The area receives only a small quantity of rain (250 millimeter per year) and is characterized by high temperatures and a typical Mediterranean climate. Throughout ancient history, the area’s location played a major role in the path connecting Mesopotamia (Iraq, today) and the Kingdom of Egypt.

The Besor River flows through the middle of the region and today, suffers from pollution mainly from upstream domestic, industrial, and agricultural sources in the Hebron Stream watershed. These include mines, the stonecutting industry, tanneries, and sewage from the city of Hebron and surrounding Israeli settlements. Hence, it’s unique eco-system, with a large variety of animals and plants, is in great danger.

You are invited to view this YouTube video on the state of the Besor River.

Recently, the Eshkol community identified the Removal of Industrial Wastewater from the Hebron Stream as a "Priority Project", together with it’s partnering community of Yatta. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 19).

Yatta (Hebron Governorate) is located 12 kilometers south of Hebron, with a population of 84,000 people, of which 23,000 are school students. Residents work either in the construction or agriculture sectors. Yatta covers 24,000 dunams, one of the largest municipalities in the West Bank, although the city’s mandate line includes a much larger area that reaches all the way to the Dead Sea. Yatta is surrounded by 5 Jewish settlements consisting altogether of 3,000 people.

Challenges facing this community include

1) Pollution flowing in the Hebron stream, that lies in the north west area of the municipality for a length of approximately 9 kilometers. Sewage is dumped in to the stream from Hebron, Kiryat Arba and local cesspits, creating health hazards, mosquito problems and polluting nearby land and groundwater. The central well of the city is only 150 meters from the banks of the stream.

2) Sanitation: There are 6000 cesspits in Yatta, but no sewage system.

3) Water: Water shortage is acute in Yatta, with community consumption at 5000m3 per day for domestic use only. Agriculture is no longer an option, as there is almost no water for irrigation. The central well of the community and Mekorot, the Israeli water company, supply water to residents. Several smaller household wells are used, but many are already polluted. Water distribution is on a rotation basis. As basic water consumption levels are not met, residents need to purchase water from tankers.

4) Solid waste: the nearby landfill receives 245 tons of waste per day, but it does not operate according to standards. Burning of solid waste is commonplace and solid waste leaks into the ground, posing a serious threat to groundwater. The World Bank has plans to build a large landfill site for Hebron and Bethlehem.

Recently, the community of Yatta identified the Removal of Industrial Wastewater from the Hebron Stream as a "Priority Project", together with it’s partnering community of Eshkol Regional Council, as well as the need for a Wastewater Collection System and Community EcoCenter in Yatta. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (page 19 and 22 respectively).

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SOUTH GHOUR MUNICIPALITY (Jordan) / GOUR FIFA (Jordan) / TAMAR REGIONAL COUNCIL (Israel)

Shared Water Resource: Dead Sea / Southern Dead Sea Springs

Ghour Al Safi is in the Jordan valley of Jordan. The area extends from the Mujib Bridge south to the Al Gheibah area which is nearly 115km long. The population is nearly 40,000 with the majority of the people working in the agricultural sector. This area is known for its agricultural products, especially tomatoes. The main water resources come from the Al Mujib dam and springs including Al Karak spring, Al Hesa’ spring, Wadi Bani Hammad spring, Al Numaira spring, Faifa spring and Al Naqe’ spring.

The South Ghors municipality communities have identified the folowing areas of urgent environmental concern:

1) The receding waters of the Dead Sea

2) Few public gardens and parks

3) Improper wastewater collection or treatment

4) House fly infestation

and have suggested solutions to several of these problems. See publication "Identifying Common Environmental Problems and Shared Solutions" under Publications.

More recently, South Ghor identified 2 "Priority Projects", together with it’s partnering community of Tamar Regional Council, namely, the need to Put a Price on Dead Sea Water Extraction & Promotion of Alternative Mineral Extraction Technologies, and Agricultural and Environmental Cooperation Between Jordanian and Israeli Farmers. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (pages 35 and 37 respectively).

Gour Fifa lies in the district of Southern Aghwar, 10 km. south of Ghour al Safi area. It lies 400 meters below sea level and has a population of approximately 2,700 persons. 80% of the residents depend on agriculture for their living. Ghour of Fifa is considered one of the poorest areas of the region.

This area includes several tourist sites, such as sugar mills and the Valley of Fifa. Moreover, a natural preserved area of 60,000,000 square meters includes rare trees such as the Torfa, Arak, Zaqoum, Talh, Qatf, as well as grazing and medicinal plants.

Tamar Regional Council is situated along the Dead Sea, bordered in the north by the Green Line (the ’67 border), to the east by the Dead Sea and the evaporation pools, to the south by the Upper Arava Region and to the west by Arad. It is one of the biggest regions in Israel (1,650,000 dunams) but with the smallest population (1,300 residents), although 1,400,000 tourists do pass through yearly.

Most of the Tamar Region is declared as a nature reserve as all of the Judean desert is a nature reserve. It is home to unique wildlife and fauna and some very important historical sites, such as Massada.

The biggest and oldest community is Kibbuz Ein Gedi. The area of Ein Gedi is badly affected by the declining Dead Sea level and by sinkholes along the shore.

Ein Gedi gets its water supplies from 4 natural springs and suffers from a shortage of water. Neot Hakikar and Ein Tamar get their water supply from high ground water in the area.

Challenges of this community include:

– Salinity levels are high and water is not available in sufficient quantities.

– Organic waste and agricultural overproduction are not properly discarded on both sides of the border (Israel and Jordan) and as a result, residents suffer from huge amounts of flies and mosquitoes.

– Agricultural plastic waste is also a great environmental hazard.

– Certain areas contain mines and suitable agricultural ground is not readily available.

– Neot Hakikar and Ein Tamar are in close proximity to the Dead Sea Works and its chimneys. It has to be examined whether the high amount of asthma and respiratory diseases stand in any connection to the air pollution.

More recently, the Tamar Regional Council identified 2 "Priority Projects", together with it’s partnering community of South Ghor and Fifa; the need to Put a Price on Dead Sea Water Extraction & Promotion of Alternative Mineral Extraction Technologies, and Agricultural and Environmental Cooperation Between Jordanian and Israeli Farmers. Read more in the publication "Cross Border Priority Initiatives of the GWN project" (pages 35 and 37 respectively).

Click on this video: Green MidEast Peace that features a cross border youth activity in the Israeli community of Ein Gedi, bringing together Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian youth from other participating Good Water Neighbors project. At this workshop, they learned how to build a constructed wetland using a natural filtration process to recycle waste water. The youth here tell of their experience of meeting and working together with other students from the region.

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WEST JERUSALEM (Israel) / EAST JERUSALEM (Palestine) / ABU DIS (Palestine)

Shared water resource: Kidron River

West Jerusalem – the focus of activity of the GWN project in West Jerusalem is at the "Nisuyi School", geographically situated at the north-western edge of the Kidron Valley watershed, near the ancient Mammila water reservoir.

East Jerusalem – Sur Baher is an Arab neighborhood with a population of 15,000 residents on the southeastern outskirts of Jerusalem, located southeast of Talpiot, north of the Har Homa neighborhood, and down the hill from Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.

Abu Dis – is a Palestinian town located in the eastern part of Jerusalem, with a population of 25,000 citizens, and home to the Al-Quds University, sharing the Kidron Valley Watershed with its partnering GWN communities.

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