Al-Shati refugee camp, Gaza – Every three days, the al-Natour family has two hours to stock up on water.
But experts say Palestinians in Gaza have an average of 60 to 70 litres each day, with many having access to just 20 to 30 litres.
The little water that residents of the Gaza Strip can access is untreated and unhealthy.
However, the severe electricity and fuel shortages which have marked life in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli-led blockade in 2007 have left these plants with only four to five hours of electricity each day.
"Not the smell of burning tyres from the ongoing protests, or the tear gas that has been used in response, but the smell of raw sewage."
While on average residents of the Gaza Strip use between 60 and 70 litres of water per day, the electricity crisis means that in effect households are only able to receive water every three days, or in some cases only once a week.
As a result, Gaza residents often find themselves with no choice but to buy expensive bottled water.
In the Natour family, Khitam said her kidney issues necessitate that she drink bottled water, but at $1.50 a day in an area where, according to the World Bank, the average yearly income is $1,826, a necessity becomes a luxury.
"Our enemy is winter," Khitam Natour said.
Water as a human right The catastrophic situation of water resources in Gaza has led some Palestinians to accuse Israel of violating internationally acknowledged human rights.

Suqia launches water projects in Somalia.
Dubai: The UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has implemented two projects to provide drinking water to over 90,000 people in Somalia.
Suqia has implemented these projects in cooperation with the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment.
This is one of Suqia’s humanitarian projects to support international efforts to combat poverty and disease by finding sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity around the world.
The projects also support the ‘For You, Somalia’ campaign.
One project, in Ufayn in the eastern region of Somalia, included the building of a 300-cubic-metre water collection point near water springs at the foot of a mountain and 600 cubic metre water reservoirs.
The project also included repairing and replacing the three-kilometre pipeline network.
Solar-powered pumps will be provided to pump water from the ground reservoir to an elevated water tank in the town.
The project will make it easier for residents to access potable water, reducing the distance they have to travel to obtain water.
The project will benefit about 50,000 people in the town and neighbouring villages.

DUBAI, 21st May, 2017 (WAM) — The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, has held its 10th meeting, chaired by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The board discussed Suqia’s projects, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, during 2016 and Q1 of 2017.
Suqia has implemented projects to provide clean drinking water for over 8 million people in 19 countries until the end of 2016, in cooperation with a number of leading organisations and charities.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Tayer said, "Suqia is doubling its humanitarian efforts this year to support the Year of Giving initiative, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and to carry out the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"At Suqia, we are committed to achieving one of the key objectives set by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, which is to combat poverty and disease by contributing to finding permanent and sustainable solutions to water scarcity around the world.
We do this by conducting research and studies to develop innovative and affordable technologies to help millions of people around the world who suffer from shortages, scarcity, or pollution of drinking water.
We are also committed to providing water to millions of needy people around the world," added Al Tayer.
© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.
© Copyright Zawya.
All Rights Reserved.