Public Participation

The inherent notion that Israel’s water resources are publicly owned and managed by the Government for the benefit of the inhabitants of the land and for its development (Article 1 of the 1959 Water Law) has led Israel’s legislator to create a built-in mechanism of public consultation in major decisions affecting the nation’s water resources. The Water Board is a consultative body that advises the Minister of National Infrastructures (the “Minister”) on matters of water policy. The Water Board is chaired by the Minister of National Infrastructures and the Director of the Governmental Authority for Water and Sewerage serves as the deputy chairman. The Water Board is composed of governmental, Jewish Agency and public representatives.

The Board comprises 27-39 members appointed by the Government out of which not less than two-thirds are public representatives. The public representatives must include representatives of different groups of water consumers (comprising not less that 50% of the total membership of the Board and including at least one of the environmental organizations) and water suppliers. The Water Board convenes at a frequency that is not less than once every two months.

The Board must be consulted on a wide array of matters, including on tariffs, water allocation rules, decrease in water quotas in case of severe water shortage, etc. As a consultative body, the decisions of the Board are not binding but it serves as a structured public participation forum before major decisions are adopted.

The description of Israel’s water legislation is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legally binding version or interpretation thereof.