Off-Grid Water & Waste Systems in the Jordan Valley

Communities and farmers in the Jordan Valley face severe environmental constraints, including limited access to clean water, high groundwater salinity, inadequate wastewater treatment, and inefficient management of agricultural waste. These challenges directly impact agricultural productivity, environmental health, and economic stability.

At the same time, traditional infrastructure solutions are often not feasible in rural or resource-constrained settings. There is a need for decentralized, integrated systems that address the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus while remaining adaptable, cost-effective, and scalable.

• To develop and implement decentralized water and waste management systems
• To improve water accessibility through desalination and wastewater reuse
• To convert agricultural waste into renewable energy through biogas production
• To enhance agricultural sustainability and resource efficiency
• To support data-driven solutions through field research and farmer engagement

The project applies a systems-based approach integrating wastewater treatment, desalination, and circular waste management technologies. Off-grid solutions are designed and implemented in collaboration with local partners, enabling adaptation to site-specific environmental and social conditions.

Technological interventions include advanced treatment systems developed with Laguna Innovation, capable of processing both liquid and solid waste streams. In parallel, field research is conducted through mapping exercises and farmer surveys to assess environmental challenges and inform solution design.

The initiative operates within broader international frameworks, including EU PRIMA and UNDP-supported programs, linking applied research with regional sustainability strategies.

• Installation of off-grid wastewater treatment and reuse systems in rural communities
• Deployment of desalination technologies to treat high-salinity groundwater
• Development of integrated systems for treating wastewater and agricultural waste
• Implementation of a circular economy model at a major dairy farm in Jericho
• Conversion of cow manure into biogas for energy production
• Reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation
• Community-level installation of wastewater systems, including connection of households in villages such as Marj Naje
• Environmental mapping and farmer surveys to assess challenges and guide interventions

The project has delivered critical infrastructure improvements, including the installation of decentralized wastewater treatment systems and the introduction of circular waste solutions in agricultural settings. A key milestone was the establishment of an off-grid facility at the Arab Development Society dairy farm, representing the first system in Palestine to simultaneously convert cow manure into biogas and produce treated water for irrigation.

Community-level interventions have expanded access to sanitation and water reuse, with systems now serving multiple households and supporting agricultural productivity. These efforts demonstrate the feasibility of integrated, off-grid solutions in addressing the water–energy–food nexus.

By combining applied research with on-the-ground implementation, the project provides a scalable model for sustainable resource management in arid and resource-constrained environments, contributing to long-term environmental resilience and improved livelihoods in the Jordan Valley.