For Immediate Release
Press Release
Jericho - Today, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull joined the Mayor of Jericho Abdel Kareem Sider to visit the 10th house to be connected to sewer lines through the USAID-supported Jericho Wastewater project.
Today, less than one third of Jericho residents’ homes are connected to the municipality’s wastewater collection system. Poorly-maintained household wastewater management systems, including leaking cesspits and overflowing septic tanks, risk impacting the quality of groundwater resources. The Jericho Wastewater Project will expand Jericho’s wastewater collection system to 2,200 additional households, more than doubling the number of current connections, and helping the treatment plant operate at full capacity.
Not only will these improvements protect existing groundwater, but treated wastewater can also be used as a more sustainable source for crop irrigation, cutting down on costs and overutilization of limited local water resources. In support of local agricultural and economic development, the project will make 600,000 cubic meters of climate-resilient, treated water available for sale to farmers annually.
“This project is the fruit of a longstanding partnership between USAID and the Jericho Municipality,” said USAID Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull during a meeting with Jericho Mayor Abdel Kareem Sider, “When we first spoke in September 2022, you emphasized the importance of completing the wastewater collection system and the broader benefits this would have on your community. This project, which was awarded last year, is a testament to our commitment in supporting Jericho Municipality in expanding and improving its services, bolstering its financial viability and overall sustainability.”
This project boosts sustainable resource management in Jericho. A new photovoltaic system to be installed at the wastewater treatment plant will reduce operational costs by at least 30 percent, and tariff collections from new household connections and the sale of treated water to farmers will help Jericho’s sanitation services become financially self-reliant.
Jericho Mayor, Mr. Abdel Kareem Sider, stated: “ This project is considered one of the most important strategic projects for the city of Jericho, which has an agricultural tourism identity. Beyond its environmental impact, the project will bolster tourism infrastructure, enhance water resources for farmers, and improve the lives of the citizens. We extend our gratitude to the USAID Mission Director for her understanding of the city’s needs and her work to make this project a reality.”
USAID is committed to improving community services and advancing long-term development goals of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza while continuing to address ongoing humanitarian needs in Gaza. To learn more about USAID’s work in the West Bank and Gaza, visit https://www.usaid.gov/west-bank-and-gaza.
