PALESTINE WATCH:

MONITORING AND ASSESSING THE LANDS OF GEOGRAPHIC

PALESTINE

Funded and Administered by:The Association Liaison Office (ALO)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Project Staff

Birzeit UniversityKamal Abdalfattah-directorAhmad HammadRiham BarghoutiIhab DababsaFarah GhalibRaida QarabesaSalem ThawabaAbdel Halim Tomeizeh

Calvin CollegeBert de Vries- directorBrian BlankespoorKimberly DeWallSebastian NaslundBenjamin RuddellAbi TanBeth VandenBerg

Partnership & CooperationCALVIN COLLEGE

Summer 2001 Research Team

Project Sectors

Project Goals

Geology Archaeology PollutionLand Use &

Built-Up AreasWater Rights

Health Agriculture

Geology

TopographyGeologyHydrogeology

Water Rights

GoalsMap Water ResourcesDetermine Ownership Utilization practices

Water theft by Illegal Pumping

Land Use &Built-Up Areas

Populationpopulation densitybuilt-up typehealth services, schools water networkTransportationwaste treatment facilities

Archaeology

Excavation Site in Tel el-Far’a

Cultural Resource Management

Preservation Inventory of Sites in the Far’a

Pollution

pH

Electroconductivity

Total Dissolved Solids

Cl

HCO3

NH4

NO3

PO4

SO4

Ca

Mg

Na

K

Total Coliform

Fecal Coliform

Water Sampling Parameters

Water SamplingHealthAgriculture

Research Area

El-Far’a Refugee Camp

HealthPollution Sources

SewageIndustrial WasteAgricultural Waste

wastewater systemCess pitsSeptic TanksOpen Channels

Health RisksContamination of drinking water sources

Leaching into Groundwater Surface water

contamination Waterborne illnesses

(Hepatitis, Parasitic infections, Diarrheal Diseases)

Open Sewage Channels Insect-borne diseases

Open channels of wastewater

Agriculture

Inefficient irrigation and agricultural practices.Use of contaminated water.PesticidesFertilizers

ConcernsEnvironmental

Soil Degradation Groundwater and

surface water contamination

Health Contaminated produce Exposure to toxins and

carcinogens from improper use of harmful pesticides.

Recommendations

HealthPoint-of-use DisinfectionSafe storage VesselsEducation

AgricultureRegulationsChanges in Irrigation and Agricultural PracticesEducation

Wastewater Treatment FacilitySeptic Tank PlacementWells

For more Information

Visit our Website at:

http://www.calvin.edu/~dvrb

Contact Information:

Dr. Bert de Vries: dvrb@calvin.edu

Abi Tan: ltan84@calvin.edu

Sebastian Naslund: snaslu22@calvin.edu