Prospect of Water Desalination

Groundwater is the only source of domestic water in the Khan Younis Governorate, as well as, the Gaza Strip. Due to urban expansion, population growth and illegal use of groundwater for irrigation purposes, ground water in the Gaza Strip is over abstracted leading to seawater intrusion. Thus the seawater desalination plants are proposed to provide potable water. The main objective of the current research is to study the feasibility of seawater desalination as a resource of potable water in the light of the current water consumption practices in sub-urban areas. Several interviews were conducted by technicians, engineers and decision makers from the Khan Younis Governorate and the relevant institutions. A questionnaire was distributed to farmers who owned different categories of agricultural lands to investigate the source of irrigation water. After collection of 430 questionnaire data were analyzed by using statistical 10, SPSS and excel software. Additionally, reviewing of most water desalination projects; quantity, quality of water, costs of treatment and supply and socioeconomic aspects were conducted.