Meithaloun's Second Pilot Project

Marj Sanour recharge well

Pilots for Sale*

Meithaloun is situated 26 kilometers southwest of Jenin City and is the center of the southern Jenin villages (Sir, Meseliah, Siris, Judeidah, Jarba, Sanour). From its northern side it is bordered by the famous plain of Marj Sanour; one of the most important agricultural areas within Jenin Governorate because of its high soil fertility. More than two thirds of Marj Sanour area is owned by Meithaloun inhabitants.

In 1996, 20,000 dunums were cultivated; 15,089 dunums of which were mostly planted by rainfed or irrigated vegetables, while the remaining 4,911 dunums were tree orchards. The catchment area of Marj Sanour covers 60 Km2, with a sunken rectangular-shaped area, that extends over 20 Km2. Given its nature as a closed basin, in certain years, Marj Sanour is inundated by rainwater and forms a temporary lake. The area and existence of the lake depend on the quantity of rainfall, which varies annually. Consequently, cultivated area is a function of the area not covered by the floodwater. For example, the year 1991/1992 was a good rainy year. However, during the two following years (1992 and 1993), the total inundated area was 19,676 dunums, damaging in the process about 65% of the cultivated areas in the plain (including 12,821 dunums of field crops, 5,845 dunums of rainfed vegetables, and 1,000 dunums of irrigated vegetables - excluding tree orchards areas). Inundation also causes reduction in the soil fertility due to leaching processes, and the spread of undesired grass and insects. In addition, it obstructs the drilling of groundwater well particularly in the basin area which is mostly covered with rainwater. Consequently, farmers use extensively fertilizers and pesticides to enrich the soil and to eliminate undesired grass and insects. Therefore, Marj Sanour inundation has led to limit the usage of agricultural land, and has caused severe negative impact on the surrounding areas.

Selected Pilot Project

After several meetings and going over the different scenarios, strategies, and proposed interventions, the stakeholders (both local community and governorate staff) prioritized and selected as their pilot project the drilling of recharge well.

Although other interventions would have been deemed more appropriate (e.g., dam), if it were not for the problem fragmentation of land ownership. Given the circumstances, drilling of a recharge well was considered the most suitable solution to deal with the impacts of recurring inundation, as it will not only serve those living in Meithaloun, but also those in the other surrounding six villages. This pilot would also contribute to achieving Meithaloun’s Vision in reclaiming land and increasing cultivated areas.

Cost estimates

Cost estimates for the construction of a recharge well are summarized below:

* A proposal summary is available below. If interested in contributing to the implementation of this pilot project kindly Contact Us to provide you with the detailed pilot proposals.