Chemical and microbiological quality of desalinated water, groundwater and rain-fed cisterns in the Gaza strip, Palestine

The aim of this study was to assess the physiochemical and microbiological quality of the domestic water through one-year long surveillance in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Water samples were taken from rain-fed cisterns, groundwater from the water network, and desalinated water. For certain chemical parameters, such as nitrate, a high percentage of water samples from all sources exceeded the limits of the Palestinian Standard Institution and the World Health Organization (WHO). Total dissolved solid (TDS) readings were non-compliant for most samples from groundwater and water from rain-fed cisterns, but the TDS quality was far better in desalinated water. As far as microbiological quality is concerned, high percentages of non-compliance were observed for total Coliform and fecal Coliform in most water samples, which was also reflected by the high incidence of water-borne diseases in Gaza Strip. The study reveals a clear superiority of quality for desalinated water, but also the need to adopt better practices (maintenance and pre- and post-treatment) in the desalination plants.