Water Crisis in Gaza City: Destruction of Nearly 85% of Water Wells

SadaNews - The Gaza Municipality reported that the city is facing a severe water crisis and a significant shortage of water supplies, due to the interruption of the Mikrot water line, which was damaged during the occupation activities east of the city. This line used to cover about 70% of the city's current needs, amid the destruction of nearly 85% of the water wells inside.

The municipality explained today, Wednesday, that the daily water requirement before the war was over 100,000 cubic meters daily, while the available amount currently only meets a limited percentage of this need, resulting in a deficit of up to 90% compared to pre-war levels. The situation was worsened by the destruction of around 150,000 linear meters of water lines, in addition to the destruction of the desalination plant in the Sudaniya area northwest of the city.

The Gaza Municipality pointed out that the crisis is due to the extensive destruction of water sources and infrastructure, the latest being the breakage of the Mikrot water line as a result of earthworks in the east of the city, which led to water being cut off from large areas, including the Old City, Al-Zeitoun, Al-Sabra, Tal al-Hawa, and the western regions. The Gaza Municipality continues to coordinate with the Palestinian Water Authority to reach the damaged line and repair it.

It continued that in light of this reality, there is an urgent need to provide essential supplies to ensure the continuity of water services, including cement, technical equipment, maintenance parts, and pipes of various diameters, along with pumps needed to enhance water flow and improve the efficiency of the network.

The municipality also needs support with heavy and light machinery after most of it was destroyed during the war, in addition to providing energy sources and generators to operate the wells, as well as oils and operational materials necessary for the continuation of work.