Support to newly created regional water utilities to assure their economic viability and environmental sustainability

In Palestine they are working on major reforms in the water sector to among others establish regional water utilities. Palestine has many small water utilities which need to be merged into bigger regional water utilities. Within this project MSM supported the creation of the new regional water utilities and to assure their economic viability and environmental sustainability.

In this project, the triple helix collaboration in the water sector of Palestine to achieve sustainable development of the regional water utilities is strengthened. To achieve this, multiple actors were involved, who all have different interests. Hence why in this project there was a focus on developing strategic plans and economic tools to assure more efficiency and financial and environmental sustainability. In this training senior level staff took part from the WSRC, the National Water Company, Regional Water Utilities, Local Government, the private sector, and NGO’s. Their knowledge was enhanced on among others the principles of cost recovery, environmental sustainability and the requirements and procedures for licensing.

By the end of this project, the participants were able to assess strategic plans, business plans, operational and inspection plans. Furthermore, they are able to prepare the necessary documents and use them for the management of the utility. As well as knowing how to apply the principles of fixing prices, achieving cost recovery, calculating a differentiated tariff and complying with the standards for drinking water.

This project is managed by Veerle Barten, Project Consultant at MSM’s Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The project will run from September 2023 until August 2024.