Confirming what SadaNews published earlier.. The Jerusalem District Water Department announces the end of the General Director's services

SadaNews - The Jerusalem District Water Department resorted to a surprising announcement via social media and its website regarding a job vacancy to select a General Director according to specified conditions.

The department has been accustomed to appointing general directors away from such announcements.

This announcement comes days after sources informed SadaNews about the resignation of the department’s director from his position which came at a time when the Ramallah and Al-Bireh district is suffering from a water crisis.

Later, the Jerusalem Water Department issued a statement announcing the end of the services of General Director Abdul Khalak Al-Karmi.

The department stated in the announcement, "The services of the General Director of the Jerusalem District Water Department Abdul Khalak Al-Karmi ended after many years of service. The director reached retirement age at the end of 2023, and at that time, the Board of Directors decided to extend his services because they believed that it would benefit the department and the citizens based on the capabilities and distinguished performance of the General Director over the years of his work and the experiences he acquired in managing the department. The Minister of Local Government also approved the extension at that time."

It added, "Today, the General Director leaves the department after a distinguished career that extended since he joined the institution on April 8, 1987."

Al-Karmi progressed through several positions within the department, most notably as the Director of the Information Technology Department, before being appointed General Director of the institution in May 2011, where he worked on developing the administrative and technical performance of the department and achieving many functional advantages for employees, most notably health insurance and a pension system.

During his management, Al-Karmi brought about a qualitative shift in the department's services through the rehabilitation and development of networks, pumps, water transmission lines, the establishment of new reservoirs, and the expansion of water networks. He also worked on developing the control and monitoring system for water production (SCADA), improving the quality laboratory and meter testing, and the mobile billing system, which contributed to alleviating the severity of the recurring water crisis due to the shortage of quantities supplied by the Israeli side, alongside his interest in building partnerships and cooperation with all local entities in the service area.

He also supervised the establishment of several public service centers to facilitate service delivery to citizens, in addition to rehabilitating Ain Samia wells and developing computerized systems for water distribution and ensuring the stability of the department's work, which employs about three hundred thirty employees despite the difficult conditions.

The department confirmed the opening of a transparent competition for the public to fill the position of General Director following Al-Karmi.

The announcement included leading the strategic planning process, assigning officials to implement and supervise the plans, proposing the necessary regulations and policies for the department's work, obtaining the Board of Directors' approval on them, developing the department's relations with local and international institutions concerned, and securing the necessary funds to finance developmental projects. This indicates that it primarily relates to the reality of the water department's failure to meet the residents' needs.

The water crisis during the extreme heat has sparked sharp criticism of the water department due to the poor distribution process and the demand for ensuring fairness in water delivery across regions.

In recent days, citizens expressed their frustration, describing the water crisis as a "daily tragedy," as some areas receive water regularly while others are deprived for long days, and some high houses do not receive water at all. They also pointed out that when water does arrive, it is not always clean, emphasizing that "water is a basic right for every person and a comprehensive and fair solution must be found for everyone."

 

Read also: In the peak of the heatwave.. The Water Department announces suspension of water supply to the Ramallah and Al-Bireh district