Gaza wastewater project : phase I final report -- USAID grant number 294-0020-G-00-5560-00

The purpose of Phase I was to provide emergency assistance in alleviating the most serious problems affecting the Municipality of Gaza"s wastewater and storm water drainage system. In 16 months of frenetic activity, the project has helped the Municipality of Gaza to get its drainage systems back on track. Specifically, the project rehabilitated storm water pump stations, restored inlet works, excavated sand and sludge, provided electrical power and constructed security fencing around reservoirs as needed, installed force mains, and cleaned and restored storm drains and sewers. The project also provided the City with the equipment, tools, gear, computer technology, plans, and training needed to initiate its own wastewater operation and maintenance programs. However, there are a number of measures that the Municipality of Gaza will need to take to mitigate continued negative influences of wastewater generation on the public health and quality of life in Gaza. The Municipality needs to establish a skilled staff able to maintain the current physical system of storm and sanitary sewers; this should be done with help from the donor community. Sanitary pump stations need to be rehabilitated immediately, and all existing pump stations should be made operational as soon as possible to eliminate the separate discharges to the sea within the City limits of Gaza. The non-functional sewage treatment facility near Wadi Gaza should be expanded to handle current potential maximum inflow demands, and upgraded to effectively treat the wastewater prior to discharge or reuse. Finally, donor agencies participating in various wastewater projects within the Municipality should develop a high-level technical coordination group to review current project coordination.