20 March 2008. The water well in Al-Nazleh Al-Wusta village, near Jenin, has been operating since 1963, but it was rehabilitated only once in 2005 when CARE stepped in. A new pump station was installed that runs on electricity instead of diesel fuel. The new engine costs less to operate compared to the old engine, runs without breaking down, and is good for the environment. Abu Faisal has been managing the water well for the last 28 years, and now he can see a big difference. He describes the situation like this: "before the new pump was installed, we were using a diesel engine which was expensive to operate and it kept breaking down, and not only that - whatever revenue we made from selling water to farmers, we spent it on running cost."

The well, located in the upper most part of the West Bank, is serving more than 5,000 persons in four communities. According to Ribhi Kittaneh, Deputy Mayor of Al-Nazleh Al-Wusta: "living conditions have improved because the water well was rehabilitated." He goes on to explain that farmers are cultivating more land, now that water is available. Kittaneh added: "with land reclamation, farmers are growing all sorts of vegetables, and with the drop in the price of water, farmers can afford to pay their water bills. Also we have water for every home, so Al-Nazleh Al-Wusta built a water network, and Al-Nazleh Al-Garbiyeh is building a network too."

The village of Nazlet Issa is another place where the situation improved. Two years ago the community had a problem with water shortages, but the harsh economic conditions were compounded because the separation wall cuts through the village, separating it from much of its agricultural land.

Mohammad Hussein is a farmer from Nazlet Issa who describes the situation like this: "I used to work in Israel and I saw how much water they have, and I dreamt of having running water in my village. When I built my home I did not extend water pipes, because I never thought we will have water." Now Mohammad is growing thyme, lettuce, and onions, and he is selling the vegetables in local markets and his economic situation is improving. Mohammad added: "I have no permit to work in Israel, but I have a substitute. I am cultivating my land and earning some income."

2,500 persons in Nazlet Issa and adjacent communities benefit from the new pump station that produces 120 cubic meters of water per hour, compared to 65 cubic meters produced by the old engine. In terms of cleanliness, the new engine has a chlorination machine that disinfects water and makes it healthy for human consumption.

The water situation is improving in various locations in the upper regions of the West Bank. Ten villages and 300 farmers have access to water, now that another well has been rehabilitated in Baqa Al-Sharqiya. The well is producing 250 cubic meters per hour instead of 170 cubic meters with the old engine, water became more affordable, and the size of cultivated land increased from 2,300 dunums to 3,000 dunums.

Since September 2002, CARE West Bank and Gaza has implemented nine water projects in cooperation with CARE France. Funding is provided by the European Commission's Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid. The projects are improving Palestinian access to potable water, and raising awareness on water issues. In terms of water systems, communities are connected with the main well in each area - cisterns are dug for household consumption, old pipes are replaced, pump stations rehabilitated, and sanitary units are installed in the schools.