AWWA ACE58220

The objective of the current plan is to outline a framework for development and rehabilitation of the water supply sector by the end of the decade and to serve as a plan for transition from deficiency and poor supply reliability to rehabilitation of reservoirs and adherence to water supply and environmental targets. The ten main targets for the water supply sector include: stabilization of the water system and bringing it to a state of equilibrium by the year 2010, even if climatic conditions are similar to the dry conditions that prevailed in the last decade; stopping the deterioration in the natural sources by restoring them by 2005 to levels that are above the hydrological "red lines"; ensuring the sustainable quality of water in the natural reservoirs, including "reversal" of the salt balance, remediation of polluted wells and monitoring activities; preparation of an action plan for bridging the gap between 2002, a year of severe shortages, and 2010, thus reducing the gaps between demand and supply; development and utilization of the large part of marginal waters and adapting them for various uses; adjustment of the quality of the water supplied for various uses to accepted western standards; connection of independent water systems to the national system, as necessary; rehabilitation of Israel's rivers and their transformation into areas of high natural quality, ensuring the existence of natural resources and landscape assets; gradual changeover to management of the water supply system based on the economics of supply and demand combined with central supervision, within the framework of the Water Supply System Reform Law; and, reorganization of the Water Commission and its associated systems, including ensured availability of resources, to allow them to reach the targets.