Breaking Update
Cost of Water for Agriculture Going Down
Israel lowers agricultural water rates starting Jan 1, 2026, with fresh water prices dropping up to 34% and Shafdan wastewater costs decreasing 22% to boost.
Jerusalem, 1 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — As of today, January 1, 2026, the water Law goes into effect and water rates for agriculture are decreasing. The reduction in water tariffs was promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as part of the amendment to the law is part of an overall policy to strengthen the four means of agricultural production: water, land, labor, and research and innovation.
The ministry notes that reducing water prices is a necessary condition for implementing the National Food Security Plan.
Under the law, the price of wastewater from the Shafdan plant will be determined from now until 2030 without taking into account treatment costs, which will result in a significant reduction in the rate for farmers. In addition, the price of fresh water for farmers in localities where there is no alternative to treated water will be gradually reduced over five years.
According to the new outline, the fresh water rate for agriculture will range from 1.50 to 2.70 NIS per cubic meter, depending on the availability of wastewater in the area. In areas without an alternative to treated water, where the price has so far been about 2.14 Shekels per cubic meter, water will now be discounted by about 34%. The price of Shafdan water is also expected to gradually decrease and reach about 1.15 Shekels per cubic meter within three years, a reduction of 22% compared to the price paid before the new law.
