The
Gaza Coastal Aquifer (GCA) is the major source of water in the Gaza
Strip. The GCA is a transboundary aquifer, shared by approximately 600
Israeli wells and more than 3000 Palestinian wells. Recent studies show
noticeable deterioration in aquifer water quality: chloride, nitrate,
sulfate, and fluoride concentrations exceed the maximum contaminant
levels in most of the wells in the Gaza Strip. Many agricultural wells
are no longer used due to high salinity. This high salinity is an
indication of saltwater intrusion, which appears mainly in coastal
aquifers due to excessive pumping. This study is an attempt to determine
the impact of pumping on the hydraulic head at the coastline of the
Gaza Strip.