The remaining springs are small in discharge, many amounting to little more than seepage. Not all springs are perennial and many are independent on the annual rainfall where their discharge rises to high levels in years of substantial rainfall and drastically falls off in dry years. This information is also crucial for reaching decisions on farm management issues such as aquaculture technique and stock density for the year. Several springs in Palestine are affected by pumping groundwater from nearby water wells. Excessive pumping may drop the water table in the underground aquifer to a level below the outflow point of the spring.
Most springs are community owned and managed.
Access to water and water rights is earned with the title to a piece of land in the community. Water from springs, for drinking purposes, is made available for all community inhabitants, while irrigation water is distributed to farmlands in quantities corresponding to the farm size. The water share of each farm and supply hours are strictly controlled and agreed upon by all beneficiaries. Gate valves ensure the diversion of spring water to only a certain number of farmers at a time, depending on a spring's discharge, to allow enough water flow. The prevalent water distribution system limits the type and scale of aquaculture projects which may depend on these springs for water supply.