The sewage crisis in the Gaza Strip has worsened to unprecedented levels, with a widespread collapse of the treatment system, threatening the environment and public health and increasing the risk of pollution of the sea and water sources.
The Palestinian Water Authority confirmed on Wednesday that approximately 55,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage are discharged daily, including 40,000 cubic meters pumped directly into the sea, while another 15,000 cubic meters seep into the environment through cesspools and leaks in the network.
The Water Authority explained that the five main treatment plants in the Strip are out of service, while 18 pumping stations are only partially operational out of approximately 74 stations that were functioning before the crisis.
It indicated that the percentage of the population served by sewage networks has decreased from more than 85% to about 45%, while treatment capacity has collapsed from 185,000 cubic meters per day before the crisis to zero currently, with the exception of ongoing rehabilitation work at the Sheikh Ajlin station.
The Water Authority called for the regular provision of fuel, pumps, generators, spare parts, vacuum trucks, cleaning equipment, and heavy machinery, in addition to the necessary materials for establishing temporary sewage networks and solutions. The Water Authority also called for expanding sanitation solutions in displacement sites, deploying scalable treatment units, and securing funding and safe and sustainable access for teams and equipment.
The Authority warned that the continued discharge of untreated sewage exacerbates marine and environmental pollution and threatens public health.
