Monthly Progress Report No. 12: Tulkarem Wastewater Collection System Improvements Project

The project is part of the USAID's efforts to improve Palestinians' access to basic infrastructure and services, thereby contributing to the Palestinian economy. The TWCP involves the rehabilitation and construction of the Irtah Pump Station (IPS), which was designed to transport Tulkarem's wastewater to oxidation ponds prior to treatment. However, the IPS has been non-operational for an extended period, resulting in untreated wastewater flowing into open wadis and reliance on cesspits in unserved communities. This poses significant health and environmental risks to the local population. The project's objectives include improving the collection and treatment of wastewater in Tulkarem, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases, and enhancing the overall quality of life for the city's residents. To achieve these objectives, the project will implement a range of interventions, including the rehabilitation of the IPS, the construction of new wastewater collection infrastructure, and the installation of treatment facilities. The TWCP is being implemented by The Morganti Group, Inc. (TMGI) under a Task Order (TO) with the USAID. The project's scope includes the rehabilitation of the IPS, the construction of new wastewater collection infrastructure, and the installation of treatment facilities. The project's timeline is critical, with a focus on completing the rehabilitation of the IPS and the construction of new wastewater collection infrastructure within the next few months. The project's safety protocols are being implemented in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Environmental Check List (ECL). The project's environmental compliance is being ensured through the implementation of the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP). The project's community outreach and engagement efforts are being led by the Public Information Officer (PIO) and the Program Support Unit (PSU). The project's progress is being monitored and reported on a monthly basis. The most recent progress report, submitted in October 2023, highlights the project's achievements and challenges during the reporting period. The report provides an update on the project's safety, environmental compliance, and community outreach efforts, as well as its progress on the rehabilitation of the IPS and the construction of new wastewater collection infrastructure. The project's indicators, including the percentage of wastewater collected and treated, the number of households served, and the reduction in waterborne diseases, will be closely monitored and reported on a regular basis. The project's quality control and testing protocols are being implemented in accordance with the Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) standards. The project's procurement and logistics efforts are being led by the Construction Management Contractor (CMC) and the Alternate Contracting Officer Representative (ACOR). The project's change orders and requests for information are being managed through the Change Order Request (COR) and Request for Information (RFI) processes. The project's obstacles and challenges, including the non-operational status of the IPS and the reliance on cesspits in unserved communities, are being addressed through the implementation of the project's risk management plan. The project's progress photos and site memos are being maintained and updated on a regular basis. The project's annexes, including the Materials-Equipment Receiving Log, Time Schedule, One Month Look Ahead Schedule, Progress Curve, Site Memos Log, Inspection Requests Log, Test Reports Log, Submittals Log, Requests for Information Log, Transmittals, and Development Information System (DIS) Data, provide additional information on the project's progress and activities.