Underground: The Infrastructure Project That Will Transform the Samaria Center

Photo: Roi Hadi

A historic infrastructure project is getting underway in Judea and Samaria, as the communities of Gush Marava and central Samaria will be connected next week to the Shafdan system. The move, with an investment of 136 million shekels, will eliminate the need for the Barkan sewage treatment plant and significantly improve the environment and quality of life in the area. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan welcomed the move.

A historic infrastructure step is beginning in Judea and Samaria: next week, for the first time, the communities of central Samaria, including Revava, Karnei Shomron, the Barkan Industrial Zone, Leshem, Peduel, Bruchin and Ali Zahav, will be connected to the Shafdan system. This is a large-scale project costing about 136 million shekels, led by the Energy Ministry, the Water Authority and the Samaria Regional Council.

The connection to the sewage treatment system of Gush Dan and the center of the country is expected to bring a significant improvement in the environment and quality of life in the area. Among other things, the sewage treatment plant in the Barkan Industrial Zone will be shut down, and advanced wastewater treatment will be made possible. The Barkan community will be connected to the system several weeks later.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said, "This is a historic moment for the residents of Samaria. After years of intensive work, we are connecting the communities of Samaria to the national infrastructure of the State of Israel."

Dagan added that this is "an environmental move of the highest order that will prevent pollution, improve quality of life and provide better service to residents."

Energy and Infrastructure Minister and member of the political and security cabinet Eli Cohen said, "We continue to advance sovereignty in practice."

Cohen said that "this is an important step on the way to one million residents in Judea and Samaria," and thanked Council head Yossi Dagan for the cooperation, while committing to continue working for Judea and Samaria.