Water

In an upcoming advocacy publication completed by a number of International NGO's, the water situation in Gaza will be highlighted. Almost one year after Cast Lead, the Gazans have been unable to recuperate any sort of normality when it comes down to construction. A few facts from the upcoming statement about the damage from the war:

• Over 30 kilometers of water networks were damaged or destroyed
• Damage to water and sanitation infrastructure estimated at US$6 million
• 11 water wells operated by the water authorities were damaged
• Over 6,000 rooftop water tanks and 840 household connections were damaged
• 1,250 tonnes of cement are needed to repair water storage tanks alone

The water from the tap is highly salted, it tastes like dirt, and bathing in it is like walking straight into the Mediterranean and then walking back home. Yet, I'd be unable to bathe in the ocean 200 meters from my apartment since...up to 80m liters of partially treated sewage are pumped into the sea each day. We also discovered a high amount of calcium in the purified water, after our electric water kettle had some crunchy white output....Yum, you say.