Water & Environment Research Unit (WERU)

Background :

The Water and Environment Research Unit has focused its activities on the synthesis and visualization of environmental data through linking dynamic models with geographical information systems. In the last years, most research activities were centered on modeling spatial patterns of optimal water allocation and the development of decision support systems as well as information systems for environmental decision-making.

The Water and Environment Research Unit collects, combines and analyses data from disparate sources.  Spatial and statistical data are collected from available archives, maps, publications, authorities and empirical research.  The latter includes field observations, meteorological and air quality measurements, analysis of remotely sensed data and the synthesis of existing information to derive new knowledge about the dynamics of the coupled human and natural systems.  The Water and Environment Research Unit and the GIS and Remote Sensing Unit are initiating an ambitious plan to update and revolutionize the Palestinian Environmental Information System --A GIS-based database that contains harmonized physical, economic and social data, including consistent sets of maps that document the spatial dimension of current water supply and demand sectors, and of land use patterns that drive water supply and demand.

Mission & Aims:

Identifies existing environmental problems, locate sources of environmental pollutants, and measure the extent of their impact; analysis the current development trends and their impact on the environment, and synthesis projections for the future;

Evaluate the feasibility of new technologies to solve environmental problems; create awareness programs to inform policy makers and the public of environmental problems and means of remedy; develop computer-based programs for environmental modeling strategies for the Palestinian environment.

Ongoing projects:

1. A Future for the Dead Sea Basin: Options for a More Sustainable Water Management
2. Activated Sludge Filtration System for Wastewater Treatment in the West Bank.
3. Water Harvesting and Wastewater Reuse towards Developing Water Resources and Improving Food Security in Bethlehem and Hebron Governorate
4. Environmental Sustainability for a better life: An integrated Approach for Localizing Agenda 21 in the Bethlehem District.
5. Update of the Palestinian Environmental Information System
6. Trans-boundary Air Quality Effects From Urbanization 

Completed Projects:- 

1. Assessing waste management policy in Palestine
2. The Development of a Water Catchments Information System (WCIS) for Al Baha Village
3. Conducting an overview of environmental conditions for the West Bank in general,   and its districts in particular;
4. Development of a comprehensive Palestinian Environmental Information System (PEIS);
5. A wastewater treatment unit has been installed in ARIJ to test its efficiency of recycling water in the West Bank;
6. Publish the Environmental Profile for each district of the West Bank and the status of environment in the West Bank;
7. Draft Palestinian Environmental legislation;
8. Monitor the settlement activities and expansion (Eye on Palestine).

Future Activities:

Improve water use efficiency in both domestic and agriculture sectors; Develop new water resources; Monitoring trans_boundary air pollution; Create a model for air pollutant movement; Establishing a Composting Facility; Promote environmental education; Technology transfer. 

Unit Staff:

• Jane Hilal: (Head of Water & Environment Department)
• Abeer Khair
• Abeer Shaheen Kando
• Enas Bannoura
• Elias Abu Mohor
• Ghassan Darwish

For further questions or comments, please contact the Water & Environment Research Unit (WERU) at