From a peak in mid-2008, average water use per person in Israel fell 18.5% by the end of 2009. The Water Authority, which released the figures, attributed the drop to a "Israel is drying up" publicity campaign, and the drought tax.
In the middle of 2008, household water use reached about 110 cubic meters per person. Household and public water use represents about 57% of total water used in Israel.
By the end of 2009 the average water use fell to 90 cubic meters per person.
73% of household consumers did not reach the use level at which the drought tax would go into effect. 14% did reach the level but paid less than NIS 100 extra per month.
The drought tax, in effect for less than a year, added about NIS 54 million to the state, but the Water Authority claimed that its main effect was pushing the public to save water.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 24, 2010
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