The Aquifer is the principal source of freshwater in the West Bank, supplying drinking water for most communities and supporting agricultural production. However, this karstic aquifer is highly vulnerable to contamination due to its geological characteristics, while increasing pressures from population growth, agricultural activities, wastewater reuse, and climate change further threaten groundwater quality and long-term water security. Despite its strategic importance, there is still a lack of integrated assessments that combine historical water quality records, field observations, emerging contaminants, and spatial analysis to support effective groundwater management.This project develops an integrated framework to assess the vulnerability of groundwater resources in the West Bank by combining historical water quality datasets, field sampling, laboratory analyses, and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Existing nitrate and chloride data are first used to evaluate the vulnerability of springs and wells across the study area. Newly collected water samples are then analysed in local laboratories for major ions and in Germany for selected emerging contaminants, including PFAS, heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics. Finally, GIS-based spatial analysis is applied to investigate the influence of land use and other environmental factors on groundwater quality and to identify areas at the highest risk of contamination. The ultimate outcome is a vulnerability-based classification of groundwater resources according to their suitability for drinking water supply and agricultural use, providing a scientific basis for evidence-based decision-making and the sustainable management of water resources in the West Bank under increasing environmental and climate pressures.
