Gaza Herald _Gaza’s water and environmental crisis is worsening as more than 80% of the territory’s water and sewage networks have been damaged or destroyed, according to a Palestinian official, raising growing concerns over severe water shortages, groundwater contamination, and public health risks.
Saeed Al-Aklouk, who oversees water and wastewater monitoring in the Gaza Strip, warned that the widespread destruction of vital infrastructure has dramatically reduced water production and undermined efforts to maintain safe sanitation systems.
Water Production Falls Sharply
Speaking to local radio, Al-Aklouk said Gaza’s daily water production has fallen from approximately 300,000 cubic meters before the destruction of much of the infrastructure to just 123,000 cubic meters.
As a result, the amount of water available per person has dropped to between 21 and 22 liters per day.
The sharp decline reflects the extensive damage inflicted on Gaza’s water infrastructure, while local authorities continue to face major obstacles in operating and repairing damaged networks amid limited resources and ongoing restrictions.
Sewage Leaks Threaten Gaza’s Groundwater
Al-Aklouk warned that the destruction of sewage networks and related infrastructure has created another serious environmental danger: the leakage of untreated wastewater into the ground and Gaza’s already vulnerable groundwater aquifer.
Continued sewage leakage into the soil and underground water sources is increasing contamination levels and threatening one of the most important sources of water available to Gaza’s population.
The situation is particularly alarming because of the limited capacity available to repair damaged infrastructure, treat wastewater, and contain growing sources of pollution.
Shortages of Disinfectants Deepen the Crisis
Disinfectant shortages and limited resources for water-quality testing are compounding the risks, Al-Aklouk said.
The lack of adequate testing capacity makes it increasingly difficult to monitor water sources and determine whether they are safe for consumption.
Damage to water and sewage networks, combined with the weakened ability to test and treat water, has left Gaza facing growing risks of contamination and waterborne health problems.
A Water Crisis Becoming a Public Health Emergency
Al-Aklouk stressed that the continued deterioration of Gaza’s water and sanitation systems is intensifying an already severe humanitarian and environmental crisis.
The consequences extend far beyond a shortage of drinking water. Damage to the infrastructure has also reduced the ability to manage wastewater, monitor water quality, and provide the disinfectants needed to limit contamination.
Without urgent repairs and the resources necessary to restore essential services, Gaza faces the prospect of further environmental degradation and escalating public health risks.
Gaza is therefore confronting more than a simple shortage of water. The territory faces a broader collapse of its water and sanitation infrastructure, one that begins with the destruction of pipelines and sewage networks but extends to groundwater contamination, environmental damage, and mounting threats to public health.
