Analyzing the Behavioral Motivations behind Israel’s Water Conservation Efforts

Abstract

Israelhasbeenattheforefrontofwaterconservationsincethe1950's.Effectivewater technology, management, recycling, and production allows the nation to provide waterforits9millioninhabitants,despitethelimitedwaterresourcesandclimate. ThisresearchoffersaspecificlookintoIsrael'sbehavioraluseofwaterandcultural positionregardingtheresourcewhilealsoexaminingmultipleuniqueareasandtheir relationships.Thisresearchutilizedinterviewsofwaterexpertsandasurveyfrom respondentslargelycomposedofthosewaterexperts.TheresultsrevealedIsrael's religion,education,media,andinterpersonalinteractionsallcontributedtoawater consciousculturethatisfurtherenforcedbygovernmentcentricwaterlaws,water pricing,andtechnologicalsupport.Thesefindingscouldprovideacomprehensive guide to be utilized by future policymakers to incentivize and develop water consciouscultureswithintheirowncommunities. Literature ReviewSiegal(2017)isthedefinitive,foundationaltextforthisresearch,offeringabroad but detailed view into Israeli efforts in water conservation. However, the text didnotspecificallyaddressthemotivatingbehaviorsbehindwater conservation, andthisresearchaimstofillthisgap. Lipchin(2007),Dinar(1998),and Minahem (1998) discuss Israeli water culture, pricing, and policy respectively and are representativesamplesofareaspecificresearchintoIsraeliwaterusage.Yet,these textsandtextsliketheseoftenomitrelated,broaderideasthatwouldhelpfur-therdefineandcontextualizeIsraeliwaterbehavior. Forexample,Lipchin(2007)