Perpustakaan Digital ITB

Water scarcity is a universal problem that affects all life aspects, especially in conflict zones. The Gaza Strip has long suffered from potable water scarcity, which comes as a result of the excessive withdrawal of groundwater from the coastal aquifers, the intrusion of seawater and the agricultural runoffs into the aquifers. Many solutions had been pursued to solve the problem including purchasing potable water from the Mekorot (an Israeli water company) and the construction of the three seawater desalination plants. The Integrated Management System would be proposed as a tool to enhance the performance. Thereby this study aims to assess the potentials of applying the Integrated Management System in seawater desalination plants (SDP’s). The study used qualitative and quantitative methods, in which secondary data were collected from previous studies, reports and journals, including in terms of ecological data related to the impact of this system. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey to project managers, consultants and personnel in authorities of the water sector. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS program, as a basis to analyze the impact of applying the IMS in seawater desalination plants and the barriers of its implementation. A SWOT analysis was used to design the implementation strategies. From 32 respondents, the result showed that there are positive impacts of applying the IMS on the financial, administrative, technical, environmental, and socio-economic performance of the desalination plants, with 28.1 to 75% of the respondents agreeing to the positive impacts. Biologically, the physicochemical water quality analysis results showed that the water quality from seawater desalination plants is compatible with PWA and WHO standards, unlike many private desalination plants. Furthermore, the study identified 12 barriers that might obstruct the application of the IMS in SDP’s. Further SWOT analysis mapped the potentials, stakeholders’ responses, and barriers as internal/ external factors that determine the type of strategies to be implemented for the system. Hereby, the highest priority strategy is the formation of a partnership with the UN institutions to obtain international protection and facilitate the entry of the required materials.