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GAZA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Gaza-based Palestinian Water Authority warned on Thursday of a crucial water situation in the Gaza Strip, where the people suffer from a severe shortage of water.
Yasser al-Shanti, chairman of the water authority, told a news briefing here to mark the coming International Water Day that the water situation in the Gaza Strip is under "ongoing deterioration."
"The coastal enclave suffers from a severe shortage in its aquifer water, which is a major natural source of water for around two million people," he said, adding that "it is not only a shortage, but also the remaining water has high percentage of salinity."
Al-Shanti clarified that the Gaza Strip's annual needs of water had reached 220 cubic meters. The agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip consumes around 90 million cubic meters, while the industrial and home use of water reaches 130 million cubic meters.
Meanwhile, he said that the aquifer only holds 45 million cubic meters of water and another 55 million cubic meters are from other irritation and rain sources.
A United Nations report two years ago warned that the Gaza Strip might turn into a territory that is not vital for living by 2020.
