Civil and Environmental Research www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-5790 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0514 (Online) Vol.3, No.10, 2013 67 Performance Indicators for Wastewater Reuse Systems in Gaza Governorates Abdallah Alimari 1 Mohammed Boufaroua 1 BouBaker Dhehibi 1 Jamal Y. Al-Dadah 2 Haneen Al-Sbaihi 3 Yousra Abu Sharekh 3 Orwa Jaber Houshia 4* 1. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) P.O. Box 950764, Amman 11195, Jordan 2. Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), Gaza 3. Environmental Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza 4. Arab American University, Chemistry Department, P. O. Box 240, Jenin, Palestine * E-mail of the corresponding author: orwa.housheya@aauj.edu Abstract The purpose of the study was to apply performance indicators on wastewater reuse in the Palestinian Territories (Gaza) to assess on the impact of waste water and grey water projects on the ambient environment, labor costs and consumers in terms of technical, socio-economic and environmental aspects leading to safe and productive use of wastewater for crop production systems at the farm level and similar use of grey water at the household level. The study was conducted in Gaza in the period of 1 November 2012 to 1 August 2013. A field survey covered the main groups of interest for using treated wastewater, and questionnaires were designed for the target group. The questionnaires were distributed to 30 beneficiaries from Al-Zaitoun District and Khan Younis Governorate, filled, collected, sorted, and documented. Descriptive statistics were calculated from the collected data. Interesting result of data analysis that addressed key factors are discussed in this paper. Most farmers were willing to use treated wastewater in principle, and so need to be more educated and trained in the reuse of reclaimed water in terms of social, economic, environmental issues Keywords: performance indicators, agriculture, wastewater, Palestinian territories (Gaza) 1. Introduction A performance indicator is a measurement survey to evaluate progress toward periodic achievement of the efficiency or productivity of a process that reflects the outcome or results of the process activities. (Carol Taylor Fitz-Gibbon 1990). Performance indicators may be considered as providing key information needed to define the efficiency and performance of a facility or a system (Deb & Cesario 1997). Efficiency is the extent to which the resources of an undertaking are used to provide the service by maximizing delivery and minimizing misuse. Within this context, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) initiated the development of a coherent performance benchmarking system for wastewater systems in Gaza. ICARDA developed the set of the performance indicators so that a consistent system comparison could be made to assist with strategic and structured planning, and to provide a framework for comparing the performance of wastewater systems and identify areas of activities where improvement is required. In addition, the performance indicators were to help assure stakeholders that the systems were performing appropriately. Waste water and grey water reuse for agricultural purposes in Palestine is being slowly introduced for a number of reasons (Houshia 2012, 2013). Development of agriculture in Gaza (Palestine) is especially troubled by a number of challenges, the most important of which is constrained water resources since, as an arid and semi-arid country, it receives very little rain (PWA). This in turn limits the extent of rain-fed agriculture. Irrigated agriculture still has room for growth; however, it must compete with other demands for the limited available water mainly from domestic and industrial consumers. Thus, farmers understand that it is vital that all available water resources in the country be put to the most beneficial economic use, including the use of treated waste and grey water. Agriculture is the major user of water in Palestinian territories (61% of total water use), followed by domestic (36%), and industrial (3%) sectors. The competition for freshwater has increased and has impacted on freshwater allocation to agriculture. The amount of freshwater taken away from agriculture in Gaza is diverted to uses such as household, municipal and industrial activities. Since the use of freshwater for these activities generates wastewater, the volume of wastewater has increased with population increase in Gaza. Another important form of wastewater with potential for reuse is grey water in areas where households are not connected to the main wastewater sewerage collection system. Such water generated from household activities moves to a nearby depression area where it either evaporates or households pay for its collection and disposal in another location. Such practices pose a range of environmental and sanitation problems. Adequate treatment and reuse of this domestic wastewater has two main advantages: (1) providing a reliable supply of a water resource for home-based farming, and (2) addressing environmental and sanitation problems stemming from its disposal