Following the water crisis: the price increase in January - which may climb further

The Water Authority Council decided to raise water rates by 2.3% in January, contrary to the position of professional bodies that sought a double increase. The rise stems from the water crisis and the shutdown of desalination plants. Background: OECD warning of extreme drought in Israel.

The Water Authority Council decided to raise water rates by approximately 2.3% this coming January, contrary to the position of the Ministries of Finance, Environmental Protection, and the Water Authority itself, which sought a double increase. The decision was made against the backdrop of Israel's water crisis, resulting from consecutive years of drought and delays in constructing new desalination plants. Last summer exposed the crisis to the public after five of the six main desalination plants were shut down due to algae. The increase will add 40-55 shekels per year to household expenses, but may also be passed on to agricultural and industrial product prices. In the background, an OECD report warns of extreme drought in Israel by the end of the century.