RAMALLH, December 16, 2009 (WAFA)- The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) indicated that 67.6% of households in the Palestinian Territory were utilizing solar energy by using solar energy heaters in July 2009; this percentage was 68.2% in July 2008.
Results of the household energy survey showed that 74.0% of households in the Palestinian Territory used a normal electricity meter, while 26.0% of households used a Prepayment electricity meter in July 2009.
PCBS implemented the household energy survey and household environmental survey 2009.These surveys collected data on household energy indicators (electricity, petroleum fuel, and other types of energy) in the household activities, and the methods used to handle solid waste and wastewater, in addition to exposure to noise and air pollution by source and time of day. Data collection took place during the period 23/08/2009 - 01/10/2009.
PCBS indicated that the average household electricity consumption (from the households that used electricity) in the Palestinian Territory during July 2009 was 247 KWh, while it was 271 KWh in July 2008. It reached 387 KWh in Gaza Strip and did not exceed 240 KWh in the North of the West Bank.
The survey indicated that the average household gasoline consumption in the Palestinian Territory during July 2009 was 9 liters. It was 18 liters in the Middle of West Bank and did not exceed 7 liters in the North of West Bank, and 4 liters in Gaza Strip.
It pointed that the average household liquefied petroleum gas consumption in the Palestinian Territory (from the households that used liquefied petroleum gas) during July 2009 was 16 kg; this average was 14 kg in July 2008.
PCBS showed that 5.2% of households in the Palestinian Territory used an electrical conditioner for the purpose of air conditioning, 42.8% of the households used a fixed fan, and 62.6% of the households used a mobile fan in July 2009.
It showed that 88.4% of the households in the Palestinian Territory live in housing units connected to a water network. This indicates that the percentage of the households in the Palestinian Territory which living in housing units connected to the water network are increased comparing with 84.8% in 1999.
During 2009 data of the household environmental survey indicated that wastewater network was used to dispose of their wastewater by 52.1% of households in the Palestinian Territory comparing with 39.3% in 1999. Cesspits were used by 45.5% of households in the Palestinian Territory in 2009.
The data revealed that 48.1% of the households in the Palestinian Territory consider the water quality as good, comparing with 67.5% in 1999. This percentage increased in the West Bank to reach 72.2% while in Gaza Strip it was 6.8%.
