The Union of Local Authorities in Israel is seeking to obtain the responsibility for the distribution of water-saving devices, for which NIS 30 million has been budgeted, from the Water Authority.
Union of Local Authorities chairman Shlomo Bohbot has asked for this responsibility in letters to Water Authority director Uri Shani, Minister of Interior Eli Yishai, Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau, and Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz. Bohbot confirmed the report.
Bohbot said that the Union of Local Authorities found that the Water Authority only intends to publish a tender for the distribution of water-saving devices in September.
"They're not organized," he told "Globes". "We're afraid that they won't deal with this matter even in September. We can distribute the water-saving devices to the public within six weeks of taking over the responsibility for them.
"Globes": It doesn’t seem reasonable that the Water Authority will cooperate with you on this matter.
Bohbot: "I actually believe that there's a chance that the Water Authority is really interested in conservation as its claims. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines. In my town, Maalot-Tarshiha, I achieved substantial savings within a year. In June 2008, municipal water consumption was 275,000 cubic meters a month. In June 2009, it was 200,000 cubic meters a month, simply through conservation. We saved on water for parks by beginning irrigation only in May, and most of the plants only need a little water."
Nevertheless, it would be very surprising if Shani were to simply hand over to you the budget and handling of the tender for water-saving devices.
"I believe that there's a chance, because I'll also contact the ministers of interior and finance.
"A situation has been created in Israel in which ministries are almost completely blocked in publishing tenders because of the awful bureaucracy. If you really want to save water, we can help through the Mashcal - Local Government Economic Services of the Local Authority Ltd. We can publish a national tender, with the participation of every mayor, and the whole matter will be behind in six weeks."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 30, 2009
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