Ecofacilities

The ‘Good Water Neighbors’ project’s Youth component includes learning environmentally friendly building skills in regional workshops, and then building model “ecofacilities” in their own communities.

[For publications relevant to this project, click here]

rainwater harvesting tanks ecofacility

An important component of the Youth Water Trustees educational program involves learning about ecological building practices that cater to the everyday needs of communities while minimizing negative environmental impacts and creating and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships with all elements of the local ecology.

The building of model “ecofacilities” that showcase water conservation – such as rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling systems, constructed wetlands for waste water treatment, waste separation and recycling facilities, mud-building techniques used for outdoor seating areas and outdoor classrooms – are examples of ecofacilities built over the years.

These ecofacilities model best environmental practices – hands-on – and seek to empower youth that they, too, can contribute to change in their own communities.

A budget is allocated for developing an ecological design (“wise water” facility, or “eco-facility”) in each community which Youth “Water Trustees” develop with the help of their teachers, fellow students and ecological design professionals.

Through this educational component, an emphasis is placed on the development of skills that enable students and other community members to replicate ecological constructions across the community in an effort to promote improved practices that will reduce strain on the natural environment.

Examples of designs implemented in previous years include rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling systems, constructed wetlands for waste water treatment, waste separation and recycling facilities, mud-buildings, outdoor classrooms and more. The importance for youth of building these ‘pilot’ projects / eco-facilities is that they experience undertaking a concrete action within their own community, one that benefits the community and helps to raise awareness of water and environmental issues as well.

EcoPeace enters into agreement with a local partner (usually a school) for ongoing maintenance of the facility and tries to leverage its investment to attract additional funds, to create a multiplier effect.

In Israel, eco-facilities have focused on implementing techniques for water efficiency and construction using recycled materials.

In Jordan, eco-facilities have focused on implementing techniques for water efficiency and for greening public space.

In Palestine, eco-facilities have focused on augmenting water supply and sanitation facilities, as well as implementing techniques for water efficiency.

For further detail about eco-facilities in EcoPeace communities, please see links below to individual facilities.

ISRAELI       COMMUNITIES

Baka Gharbia

  1. Borin Well Restoration, 2003
  2. Outdoor Classroom, Tapuah HaPayis, 2010
  3. Outdoor Classroom, El-Hawarzme Elementary School, 2012
  4. Rainwater Harvesting System, El-Hakmi School, 2003
  5. Rainwater Harvesting System, El-Shafi School, 2003
  6. Rainwater Harvesting System, Abu Gamil Ecological Farm, 2007
  7. Rainwater Harvesting System, School, 2003

Beit She’an

  1. Dilution Station Rehabilitation, 2009
  2. Ecologically Constructed Garden, Gilboa School, 2009
  3. Ecologically Constructed Garden, Tomer School, 2010
  4. Outdoor Classroom, Rimon Elementary School, 2012
  5. Outdoor Seating Area, ORT High School, 2009
  6. Rainwater Harvesting System, Meir School, 2002

Emek Hefer

  1. Hydropnics System, 2017
  2. Air Conditioner Water collection system, Ben Gurion School, 2003
  3. Bird Aviary, Avihayil School, 2010
  4. Constructed Wetlands, Beit Yitzhak School, 2010
  5. Constructed Wetlands, Sadot School, Bat Hefer, 2008
  6. Constructed Wetlands, Yosef Vitkin School, 2012(click here for a video of the construction process, created by the students themselves)
  7. Ecologically Constructed Garden, Shachar School, 2006
  8. Outdoor Classroom, Ramot Hefer School, Kibbutz Ma’abarot, 2008
  9. Outdoor Seating Area, Avihayil School, 2009
  10. Outdoor Seating Area, Dohal overlook, Bat Hefer, 2010
  11. Outdoor Seating Area, Beit Yitzhak School, 2006
  12. Rainwater Harvesting System, Oren Kindergarten, 2009
  13. Rainwater Harvesting System, Beit Yitzhak School, 2010
  14. Rainwater Harvesting System, Yosef Vitkin School, 2012

Eshkol

  1. Hydroponics system, Meitarim, 2017
  2. Constructed Wetlands, Yovelei HaBasor School, 2009
  3. Ecologically Constructed Garden, Moshav Zohar, 2010

Gilboa

  1. Outdoor Classroom, Youth Club, Gan Ner, 2010
  2. Outdoor Seating Area, Ner HaGilboa School, 2011
  3. Rainwater Harvesting System, Ner HaGilboa School, 2010
  4. Ancient Wine Press Restoration, 2010

Jordan Valley

  1. Waste Separation & Recycling Center, Ecologically Constructed Garden, Kibbutz Ashdot Ya’akov, 2007
  2. Outdoor Classroom, Beit Yerach School, 2010
  3. Outdoor Seating Area, Kibbutz Degania B’, 2008
  4. Outdoor Seating Area, Jordan Valley Promenade, 2005
  5. Rainwater Harvesting System & Ecologically Constructed Garden, Beit Hinuch School, Degania A, 2009

Tamar

  1. Compost Toilets, Kibbutz Ein Gedi, 2009
  2. Constructed Wetlands, Ein Gedi EcoPark, 2008
  3. Ecologically Constructed Clubhouse, Kibbutz Ein Gedi, 2008
  4. Ecologically Constructed Garden, Kibbutz Ein Gedi, 2006
  5. Geodesic Dome, Ein Gedi EcoPark, 2010

Yarkon

  1. Vertical bottle garden, 2017
  2. Hydroponics system, 2016

PALESTINIAN COMMUNITIES

Abasan

  1. Roof garden, Information and Telecommunication Center, 2009
  2. Desalination system, Abasan Kabira municipality, 2011

Abu Dis

  1. Rainwater harvesting system, Abu Dis Boys High School, 2012

Auja

  1. Greywater reuse system, Auja EcoCenter, 2010
  2. Outdoor Classroom, Auja Boys School and Auja Girls School, 2012

Baka Sharkia

  1. Rehabilitation of Municipal land; ecological construction of amphitheater, garden & bathroom facilities, 2008-2012
  2. Solid waste separation system, Omar Ibn Alkhattab School, 2012

Fasayel

  1. Outdoor Seating Area and Greywater Reuse System, Fasayel Boys and Girls High school, 2012

Jenin

  1. Rainwater Harvesting System, 2010
  2. Waste separation containers and shade structure, Jalameh Boys School/Jalameh Girls School, 2012

Jericho

  1. Greywater Reuse System, 2010
  2. Benches from recycled materials and a grey water recycling system, Aqbat Jaber Girls Secondary School, 2012

Sur Baher

  1. Ecological Garden and a grey water recycling system, Surbaher Elementary School for Girls, 2012

Tulkarem

  1. Drinking water units and grey water reuse system, 2010
  2. Benches from recycled materials, Artah Boys School, 2012

Wadi Fukin

  1. Outdoor Classroom, 2012
  2. Drinking water units and grey water reuse system, 2010

Yatta

  1. Greywater Reuse System, 2010

JORDANIAN COMMUNITIES

Dier Allah

  1. Water Harvesting system, Al balwneh School, 2008
  2. Abu Obeideh Ecologically Constructed Park, 2011

Ghor Fifa

  1. Water irrigation system and water harvesting, Fifa School for boys, 2011

Hemma

  1. Rain water harvesting, AL Mkhaiba Attahta School, 2005
  2. Grey Water system, Al Mkhaiba Attahta Mosque, 2008
  3. The Al Shammari Ecologically Constructed Garden, 2011

Muaz bin Jabal

  1. Eco garden and irrigation system, Al Reyadeyah School, 2005
  2. Greywater Reuse System and Garden, Al Reyadieh School, 2011
  3. Greywater Reuse System and Garden, The North Shuneh High School, 2011

Sharhabil bin Hassneh

  1. Greywater Reuse System and Garden, Prince Hashem Park, 2011

South Ghor

  1. Ecogarden, Zanobia School, 2009
  2. Water irrigation system, Al Mezra’a Park, 2010
  3. Ecologically Constructed Playground & Greywater Reuse System, Higher Counsel Center for Handicapped Youth & Social rehabilitation Center, Ghor Al Mazra’a, 2011

South Shouneh

  1. Eco garden, Al Jofeh School, 2008
  2. Eco-garden, Al Kufrain School, 2009
  3. Cooperative Association’s Ecologically Constructed Park, Jufeh, 2011

Tabqet Fahel

  1. Eco garden and Water harvesting system, Sheikh Hussein School, 2000
  2. Eco garden, Sheikh Hussein School, 2005
  3. Water harvesting system, Al Zmaleyeh School, 2005
  4. Water irrigation system, King Talal School, 2005
  5. Grey water reuse, Sheikh Hussein Mosque, 2008
  6. Wetland and water purification unit, SHE park, 2010