Water and sewage infrastructures – corporations 

Today in the country, there are more than 50 water corporations, which work in cities and councils. The water and sewage corporations began as a legal move in the year 2001 (water and sewage law, 2001), which purpose was to make the service and treatment of municipal waters private out of understanding that this move will save expenses to the resident.

The problems that existed before began with price differences and tools for treating the water infrastructure between the municipalities with the means and the less expensive ones. The privatization process has succeeded in reducing the gaps in the treatment of infrastructures and the use of the financial resources of the corporations to improve the untreated infrastructures. Initially operating costs raised water prices for residents. After a struggle by the municipalities – another law was enacted that allows the municipalities to be partners in the management of the corporations. Today, there is a corporation that is focused on taking care of water and sewage infrastructures, collection, etc. and a municipality that is involved in maintaining the residents’ well-being.

The corporations have another important role in keeping the water saving and the citizens’ environment, by raising the awareness of water saving and keeping our water sources like the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), the wells, the lakes and aquifers, or treating the sewage infrastructures and preventing discharging or polluted effluent to the water sources and damaging the groundwater. In addition, the corporations promote lessons for school students about right and economical use of water and sewage.

Besides the educational aspect, the corporations invest in advanced technologies and development in the water and sewage infrastructure and the water sector field. The corporations, due to their exclusive focus and investment in the field (compared to the previous situation where water was a department within a municipality) the corporations succeed in promoting the infrastructure and their proper use and do an important service to the public and society. However, there is still a long way to go in the field.

The shared responsibility between municipalities and corporations creates the proper collaboration, which grants a high quality and professional service to the resident, and promotes the water and sewage department in the country, to a better direction.