Groundwater Quality Evaluation Following Long Lasting Pollution of the Western Mountain Aquifer

This study examines the quality of drinking water extracted from the Western Mountain Aquifer in Palestine. The region is facing unprecedented stress on water resources due to population growth, increasing water demand, climate change, and water scarcity. The research involved surveying 110 samples from wells and springs from the upper and lower aquifers. The study found leakage from the Eocene aquifer water to the most exploited Upper Cenomanian aquifer. Nitrate-polluted groundwater from the WMA Upper Cretaceous aquifer that flows westwards poses a threat to the pumping wells in the lowlands. The coastal aquifer also faces salinization in the southern section. The study found severe wastewater pollution in the Qalqilya area and between Bethlehem and Hebron, with carbamazepine results in emphasizing the Qalqilya pollution. The results can help stakeholders plan for better protection and remediation measures.