Title: A quality assessment of drinking water in Ramallah and Al-Bireh District of Palestine

Authors: Alaa T. Bazzar; Issam A. Al-Khatib; Fathi M. Anayah

Addresses: Universal Institute of Applied and Health Research, Nablus, West Bank, Palestine ' Institute of Environmental and Water Studies, Birzeit University, Birzeit, West Bank, Palestine ' College of Engineering and Technology, Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, P.O. Box 7, Yafa Street, Tulkarm, West Bank, Palestine

Abstract: This study evaluates the drinking water quality at household level in Ramallah and Al-Bireh district of Palestine to identify management priorities and improve public health. The data of various quality parameters (physicochemical and microbiological) of drinking water samples obtained from the Ministry of Health records were analysed. The results showed that most physicochemical parameters were within the permissible limits of the World Health Organization and the Palestine Standards Institute including electrical conductivity, fluoride, chloride, hardness, salinity, turbidity, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulphate, total alkalinity, chlorine, and total dissolved solids. Yet, some samples tested for nitrate, pH, ammonia, and total and faecal coliforms violated the standards. The results revealed that the drinking water quality is good physicochemically but unsafe biologically. This urges water suppliers for proper interventions and corrective actions. Regulatory authorities need to conduct further monitoring and evaluation for water sources to protect human health and prevent infectious diseases.

Keywords: drinking water; microbiological parameters; Palestine; physicochemical parameters; water quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2026.152429

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2026 Vol.39 No.3, pp.299 - 325

Received: 10 Jan 2025
Accepted: 28 Mar 2025
Published online: 19 Mar 2026 *

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