Governing the reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation: the case study of Jericho, Palestine

Abstract

Wastewater reuse in irrigation provides additional water supply for agriculture and saves freshwater resources for human consumption. Through these benefits, wastewater reuse can significantly alleviate the water scarcity in Palestine and fit to the complexity of the geopolitical context. However, the governance of reusing treated wastewater in Palestine is understudied. The paper bridges this knowledge gap by outlining the governance factors that influence the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation in Palestine. Jericho was selected as the case study site, given its significant role for agricultural production in Palestine. Based on interviews and document reviews that were carried out using a governance assessment tool, three governance-related factors are identified: 1) weak coherence among the actors, reflected in overlapping and unclear responsibilities; 2) low extent and coherence of legal instruments, indicated by the absence of laws and by overlapping and conflicting provisions; 3) low extent of resources, such as appropriate infrastructure.