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Struggle for Water in Mideast

(Boston Globe) Charles A. Radin - ''Because the water pipe network is very old and leaks, and because of stealing water from our pipes by Palestinians, we lose about 50 percent'' of the water managed by the Palestinian Water Authority in the West Bank, says Fadel Kawash, the authority's West Bank manager. He estimates that at least 200 illegal wells have been drilled in the past two years. ''The situation in Gaza is catastrophic,'' he said. ''We are over-pumping by 80 million cubic meters a year, and seawater is pouring into the aquifer. Every year, it becomes more salty.'' In areas of abundant water such as northern Samaria, illegal wells are damaging the flow to older, legal wells, and some, dug too near refugee camps or septic systems, are polluted, says Kenan Sewadeh, a local hydrologist. ''The Palestinian Authority is not determined to stop the illegal drilling,'' Sewadeh said, because the illegal drillers had corrupt connections with PA officials.
2002-11-15 00:00:00
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