تم تأسيس مجلس تنظيم قطاع المياه عام 2014 كجزء من إصلاحات قطاع المياه الجارية في فلسطين وفقا لقانون المياه رقم 14 عام 2014. مجلس تنظيم قطاع المياه هو مؤسسة مستقلة ماليا وإداريا تقدم تقاريرها مباشرة إلى مجلس الوزراء الفلسطيني، وفقا للمادة 18 من قانون المياه رقم 14 (2014)، والهدف من انشاء مجلس تنظيم قطاع المياه هو مراقبة كل ما يتعلق بالنشاط التشغيلي لمقدمي خدمات المياه، بما يشمل الإنتاج والنقل والتوزيع والاستهلاك وإدارة مياه الصرف الصحي، وذلك من أجل ضمان جودة وكفاءة خدمات قطاع توفير المياه وخدمات مياه الصرف الصحي في فلسطين الموفرة للمستهلكين وبأسعار مناسبة. The Water Sector Regulatory Council (WSRC) was established in 2014 as part of ongoing water sector reforms in Palestine and in accordance to Water Law no. 14 of 2014. The WSRC is a financially and administratively independent institution which reports directly to the Palestinian Cabinet of Ministers. According to Article 18 of the Water Law No. 14 (2014), the objective of the WSRC is:
“To monitor all matters related to the operations of service providers, including production, transportation, distribution, consumption and waste water management, to ensure water and wastewater service quality and efficiency to consumers in Palestine at reasonable prices.”
Thus, the WSRC aims to ensure that water and wastewater services are effective, sustainable, and are provided at affordable prices while maintaining the interests of all stakeholders. THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WSRC AS PER ARTICLE 24 OF THE WATER LAW ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Approval of water prices, costs of supply networks and other services required for the delivery of water and waste water services, as well as review and monitoring of these costs to ensure compliance with the policy adopted by the Palestinian Water Authority. The issuance of licenses to Regional Water Utilities and any operator that establishes or manages the operation of a facility for the supply, desalination, or treatment of water or the collection and treatment of waste water, and the levying of license fees. The monitoring and inspection of compliance with the terms, requirements and indicators stipulated in licenses and permits. The development of performance incentives programs for water service providers. Monitoring operation processes related to the production, transport, and distribution of water and operational processes of wastewater management. Setting quality assurance standards for the provision of technical and administrative services by Service Providers to consumers. Monitoring the compliance of the National Water Company and Service Providers with the adopted standards for the provision of water and sanitation services. The establishment of a database for technical, financial and statistical information and the publication of this information periodically. Addressing complaints of consumers against Service Providers.
