Ramallah Facing Severe Water Crisis; Israel To blame, Says Water Authority

The current water shortage in the Ramallah district was exacerbated by the failure of the Israeli authorities to repair a damaged pipeline.

Ramallah, 19 Ramadan 1438/14 June 2017 (MINA) – The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) Tuesday accused Israel of the new water crisis facing Ramallah and its environs, saying failure to repair a damaged water pipeline has exacerbated an already existing problem.

A water pipeline near al-Jeep, southwest of Ramallah, that supplies Ramallah with water from Israel was damaged several months ago during Israel’s construction of sections of the segregation wall in that area and has not been repaired since then, WAFA reported, citing the PWA in a statement.

It said it and the Jerusalem Water Undertaking, which supplies water to the Ramallah area, were in touch with the Israeli authorities in an attempt to solve the water crisis in Ramallah area.

It said they have asked the Israeli water company, Mekerot, to repair the damaged line and to increase the volume of water supply to the Palestinian areas, already considered below the needed level.

It said it informed Israel its readiness to repair the line, but has not yet received any reply.

Mazen Ghuneim, chairman of PWA, stressed that PWA will spare no effort to find a solution to the water crisis in all West Bank districts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in the hot summer months.

He pointed out that the current water shortage in the Ramallah district was exacerbated by the failure of the Israeli authorities to repair the damaged pipeline.

He held the Israeli authorities responsible for any further consequences, calling on the international bodies to immediately intervene to compel Israel to solve the crisis. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)