The uncontrolled Za'tara open solid waste dumping site is located in a natural reserve 10 km to the east of Bethlehem. It receives domestic, industrial and medical solid waste generated from Bet Sahour, Bethlehem, Za'tara and the surrounding villages. The volume is estimated to be around 40-45 million cubic meters per year. The waste piles are frequently burned in the dry season and left to leach out in the wet season.
It is located 50-80 m upslope from a runoff stream. Several water collection wells are in proximity to the dumping site.
Photo: Applied Research Institute Jerusalem - Bethlehem, Palestine