253
© The Author(s) 2016
R.F. Hüttl et al. (eds.), Society - Water - Technology, Water Resources
Development and Management, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-18971-0_16
Chapter 16
Technologies, Incentives and Cost Recovery:
Is There an Israeli Role Model?
Christine Bismuth , Bernd Hansjürgens , and Ira Yaari
Abstract This chapter focuses on water policy reforms and the introduction of a
new water pricing policy in Israel. These reforms have to be seen in combination
with measures to extend the available water sources that have been introduced in
Israel in recent years. The effects of the Israeli demand and supply management
policy on the use and availability of the water resources is investigated, and the
potential transferability of the Israeli experiences to other countries in the region is
examined. We also discuss the contribution of the water policy reforms as part of
possible options and alternatives to the planned RSDS Conveyance Project.
Keywords Water policy • Water management institutions • Water pricing • Water
use • Desalination • Wastewater treatment • Water consumption • Agriculture •
Levies • Israel national water system
16.1 Introduction
Israel’s water policies in recent years have presented its end users with two diametrically opposite modus operandi: from one point of view, Israel can be seen as a
pioneer in agricultural water-saving technologies and water desalination projects
(OECD 2011 ), and from the other view, Israel is wasting water, using the majority
C. Bismuth (*)
Interdisciplinariy Research Group Society - Water - Technology ,
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities ,
Jägerstraße 22/23 , 10117 Berlin , Germany
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences ,
Telegrafenberg , 14473 Potsdam , Germany
e-mail: bismuth@gfz-potsdam.de
B. Hansjürgens
Department of Economics , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental
Research – UFZ , Permoserstraße 13 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
e-mail: bernd.hansjuergens@ufz.de
I. Yaari
Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment ,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , POB 12 , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
© The Author(s) 2016
R.F. Hüttl et al. (eds.), Society - Water - Technology, Water Resources
Development and Management, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-18971-0_16
Chapter 16
Technologies, Incentives and Cost Recovery:
Is There an Israeli Role Model?
Christine Bismuth , Bernd Hansjürgens , and Ira Yaari
Abstract This chapter focuses on water policy reforms and the introduction of a
new water pricing policy in Israel. These reforms have to be seen in combination
with measures to extend the available water sources that have been introduced in
Israel in recent years. The effects of the Israeli demand and supply management
policy on the use and availability of the water resources is investigated, and the
potential transferability of the Israeli experiences to other countries in the region is
examined. We also discuss the contribution of the water policy reforms as part of
possible options and alternatives to the planned RSDS Conveyance Project.
Keywords Water policy • Water management institutions • Water pricing • Water
use • Desalination • Wastewater treatment • Water consumption • Agriculture •
Levies • Israel national water system
16.1 Introduction
Israel’s water policies in recent years have presented its end users with two diametrically opposite modus operandi: from one point of view, Israel can be seen as a
pioneer in agricultural water-saving technologies and water desalination projects
(OECD 2011 ), and from the other view, Israel is wasting water, using the majority
C. Bismuth (*)
Interdisciplinariy Research Group Society - Water - Technology ,
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities ,
Jägerstraße 22/23 , 10117 Berlin , Germany
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences ,
Telegrafenberg , 14473 Potsdam , Germany
e-mail: bismuth@gfz-potsdam.de
B. Hansjürgens
Department of Economics , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental
Research – UFZ , Permoserstraße 13 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
e-mail: bernd.hansjuergens@ufz.de
I. Yaari
Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment ,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , POB 12 , Rehovot 76100 , Israel