世界银行-巴勒斯坦人的水安全：西岸和加沙的供水，卫生和卫生贫困诊断（英文）-2018.8-169页-13mb

Summary of "Toward Water Security for Palestinians: West Bank and Gaza Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Poverty Diagnostic"

Core Content

This document is a comprehensive poverty diagnostic on the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector in the West Bank and Gaza, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for achieving water security. It is part of a global initiative led by the World Bank Water and Sanitation Program and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The report uses the IWII (Institutional Change, Water Resources, Investment, and Incentives) framework to identify constraints and suggest pathways to improvement.

Main Viewpoints

• Water Security is Critical: Ensuring access to adequate, well-managed, and sustainable water supply services is essential for improving the living conditions and reducing poverty in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Water Scarcity and Poverty: The region is water-scarce, with a growing population and increasing economic demand for water. Poverty rates are high, especially in Gaza, and these are closely linked to the lack of access to safe and reliable water and sanitation services.
• Institutional and Financial Weaknesses: There are significant institutional and financial constraints that hinder service delivery. These include poor accountability, inefficient management, and inadequate financial recovery due to nonpayment and water losses.
• Geopolitical and Political Economy Challenges: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict severely limits the ability of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) to manage water resources and coordinate with Israel. These constraints affect both the availability of water and the implementation of projects.
• Need for Institutional Reform and Investment: The report emphasizes the need for institutional reform, better investment planning, and the introduction of performance-linked incentives to improve service delivery and financial sustainability.

Key Information

Water Supply and Sanitation Status

• West Bank:

  • Internal water resources are insufficient to meet growing demand.
  • Water supply quantities are below target levels.
  • The allocation and distribution of bulk water are not equitable or efficient.
  • Piped water connections are widespread, but service quality is deteriorating.
  • High levels of nonpayment and water loss are common, especially in Gaza.

• Gaza:

  • The only freshwater source, the aquifer, is no longer potable due to overuse and contamination.
  • Water supply is at crisis levels, with only 1% of the population having access to improved drinking water.
  • Sanitation services are limited, with a high risk of sewage overflow, especially in poor areas.
  • There are only two viable options for increasing water supply: desalination and purchasing from Israel.

Poverty and WASH Access

• Poverty Rates:

  • Gaza has higher poverty rates than the West Bank.
  • Over 35% of Gaza's population is classified as poor.
  • The poorest populations experience the worst WASH service quality.

• Access to WASH Services:

  • Access to improved water and sanitation services varies significantly by region and household wealth.
  • In the West Bank, access to piped water is high, but not all households have timely or reliable access.
  • In Gaza, access to improved water is extremely low, and the quality of service is poor.

Constraints to Service Delivery

• Institutional Constraints:

  • Poor accountability and transparency in service delivery.
  • Conflicting incentives among central agencies.
  • Weak governance structures at the local level.

• Financial Constraints:

  • High water losses and low cost recovery.
  • Nonpayment by consumers is a major issue in Gaza.
  • Inefficient financial models and recurrent funding issues.

• Water Resource Constraints:

  • Limited availability of internal water resources.
  • Overreliance on Israel for water supply.
  • Political tensions hinder the development of new water resources.

• Political Economy Constraints:

  • Restrictions on movement and access limit investment and project implementation.
  • Political divisions between Gaza and Ramallah complicate governance and coordination.
  • PWA's ability to manage water resources is constrained by dependence on Israel and internal political tensions.

Way Forward: The IWII Framework

• Institutions (I):

  • Strengthen accountability and efficiency of local government units and service providers.
  • Establish a more inclusive and effective institutional structure for the WASH sector.

• Water Resources (W):

  • Address the growing bulk water problem in the West Bank.
  • Explore desalination and water purchase as options for Gaza.

• Investment (I):

  • Increase investment in WASH infrastructure.
  • Improve coordination and planning for investment projects.

• Incentives (I):

  • Introduce performance-based incentives for service providers.
  • Encourage private sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Recommendations

• The report recommends a new approach to WASH service delivery that integrates institutional reform, investment, and performance incentives.
• It emphasizes the need for immediate action to avoid further deterioration of water services.
• It calls for the establishment of a National Water Company to improve bulk water management.
• It suggests a more business-like approach to water services, with financial support tied to performance.

Conclusion

The West Bank and Gaza face severe challenges in achieving water security due to a combination of institutional, financial, water resource, and political economy constraints. The report provides a detailed analysis of these issues and outlines a strategic framework (IWII) to guide future reforms and investments in the WASH sector. Improving service delivery requires a coordinated, inclusive, and performance-oriented approach that addresses the root causes of the sector's inefficiencies and inequities.