Historic Move: Samaria Connected to the Central Wastewater Treatment System

A major infrastructure project that will change the face of the region is getting underway in Samaria. Next week, for the first time, the communities of central Samaria and the Ma'arava bloc will be connected to the Shafdan system, the wastewater treatment system serving Gush Dan and central Israel.

This is the first stage of a large-scale project costing about 136 million shekels, led jointly by the Energy Ministry, the Water Authority and the Samaria Regional Council. In the first phase, which begins next week, the national system will be connected to the communities of Revava, Karnei Shomron, the Barkan industrial zone, Leshem, Peduel, Bruchin and Ali Zahav. Several weeks later, the project will be completed with the connection of the community of Barkan.

The connection is expected to bring a significant improvement in environmental quality and quality of life in the area, lead to the shutdown of the old treatment facility in the Barkan industrial zone, and for the first time enable advanced wastewater treatment through the modern system serving the cities of central Israel.

The environmental project has been advanced for many years by Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, who finalized its principles with the Water Authority about eight years ago. In recent months, the project has accelerated significantly, following intensive joint staff work by the council, the Energy Ministry led by Minister Eli Cohen, and the Water Authority.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan welcomed the announcement and said it was a historic moment for the residents. Dagan stressed that after years of hard work, Samaria's infrastructure is being connected to the national infrastructure of the State of Israel as a top-tier environmental measure that will prevent pollution and improve quality of life. Dagan added that this is a value-based and practical connection to the State of Israel, one that removes another barrier and strengthens settlement in practice on the way to the goal of one million residents.

Energy Minister and cabinet member Eli Cohen also referred to the importance of the project, saying that the ministry continues to advance sovereignty in practice. Cohen noted that during his recent visit to Homesh, the sides agreed on a comprehensive upgrade of the electricity and water infrastructure in Samaria, and that connecting Samaria's drainage system to the system in Gush Dan is an important step on the way to one million residents in Judea and Samaria. Cohen thanked Dagan for the cooperation and pledged to continue working for these regions in all his roles.