Developing GIS-based water poverty and rainwater harvesting suitability maps for domestic use in the Dead Sea region (West Bank, Palestine)

Abstract

Abstract. In the arid region of the Dead Sea, water shortage and the inability to satisfy the increasing domestic water demand threatens sustainable development. In such situations, domestic rainwater harvesting is considered an efficient way to combat water poverty. This paper aims to develop domestic water poverty (DWP) and domestic rainwater harvesting suitability (DRWHS) maps for the West Bank, Palestine. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the GIS-based weighted overlay summation process (WOSP) were utilized in the development of these maps. Results of the DWP map indicate that 57 % of the West Bank is under high to very high poverty of domestic water. The DRWHS map shows that 60 % of the West Bank is highly suitable for domestic rainwater harvesting. Spatial intersection (combined mapping) between DWP and DRWHS maps indicates that around 31 % of the total West Bank areas could be classified as high potential locations (hotspot areas) for adopting rainwater harvesting techniques for domestic purposes. The developed maps are valuable to the stakeholders to better identify the best areas of rainwater harvesting in the West Bank.

GIS-Based Spatiotemporal Mapping of Groundwater Potability and Palatability Indices in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

“…The maximum (1022 m above MSL) and minimum (410 m below MSL) ground surface elevation are located in Hebron and Jericho, respectively [63]. The land-use map shows three main classes: rough grazing, agricultural areas, and built-up areas (urban and rural), which occupy 63%, 32%, and 5% of the study area, respectively [64]. Soil textures range from clay (47%), clay loam (31%), loamy (9%), sandy loam (8%) to bare rock (5%) [64].…”

“…The land-use map shows three main classes: rough grazing, agricultural areas, and built-up areas (urban and rural), which occupy 63%, 32%, and 5% of the study area, respectively [64]. Soil textures range from clay (47%), clay loam (31%), loamy (9%), sandy loam (8%) to bare rock (5%) [64]. The West Bank is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with a high seasonal deviation [64].…”

“…Soil textures range from clay (47%), clay loam (31%), loamy (9%), sandy loam (8%) to bare rock (5%) [64]. The West Bank is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with a high seasonal deviation [64]. The average rainfall is about 450 mm/year [65].…”

“…The average rainfall is about 450 mm/year [65]. Five out of the 11 West Bank governorates are under high to very high domestic water poverty [64]. This is reflected through the water shortage conditions, and the inability to meet domestic water needs [66].…”

Potential rainwater harvesting suitable land selection and management by using GIS with MCDA in Ebenat District, Northwestern Ethiopia

“…RWH potential site selection and mapping by using Geospatial technology and multi-criteria analysis is a new approach to tackle drought and water scarcity for domestic use, especially, for a better agricultural activity. According to Alem (1999), Sharma and Smakhtin (2006), Prasad et al (2014), Maina and Raude (2016), Ibrahim et al (2019), and Shadeed et al (2019), land-use/land-cover, textural suitability, rainfall, lineament proximity, slope, curve number (CN), and runoff density and distance from settlement and road are the parameters for rainwater harvesting suitability site area identification.…”