Development of Sustainable Management Options for The West Bank Water Resources Using WEAP

Palestinians are living under conditions of repressed demand as result of the limitations on supply and restrictions on new water resources development due to the Israeli imposed military control over Palestinian water resources. The West Bank lacks proper water infrastructure resulted in huge losses in the delivery of water or unaccounted for water. Moreover, there is a significant shortage of capital for new infrastructure. The prevailing system of uncoordinated water resources management in the West Bank cannot sustain the ever-increasing water needs. The study methodology consists of three components (1) data gathering and review (2) stakeholders field survey that determined key planning issues and questions needed and (3) WEAP model that aided to evaluate water resource management options for the West Bank. The results obtained showed that water demand varies significantly according to the assumed political situation, and underlined the importance role of water management aspects. Also the results revealed that an additional amounts more than 700 MCM is needed to satisfy water needs and development, otherwise the gap between demand and supply will grow dramatically if current supply conditions continued. The results confirmed that WEAP can be applied as a decision support system (DSS) tool for the water resource management in the West Bank.