Law No. 2 of 1996 establishing the Palestinian Water Authority.

This Law is composed of 4 chapters divided into 15 articles. Establishment of the Palestinian Water Authority and its objectives (chap. I): terms and definition (art. 1); the Palestinian Water Authority enjoys an independent juridical person (art. 2); the Water Authority aims at guarantee the best management of water resources and the needs of the Palestinian People, carrying out the water policy of the National Council for Water, creation water projects and the total control on their execution as well as the cooperation with all interested parties for best management of water resources (art. 3). Chapter II defines competencies and duties of the Palestinian Water Authority which are: reinforcement of hydrology database centre; projecting, planning, realization, management, development and maintenance of laboratories, experimental stations and research centres; issue of authorizations, licences and concessions; valuation of water projects; participation in dispute settlement; control on water projects; inspection and management of all water resources as well as regulating the establishment of artesian wells (art. 4); competencies of the Head of the Water Authority (art. 6); and financial incomes of the Authority (art. 7). Chapter III deals with the National Council for Water and specifies its duties which are: to lay down the water policy in Palestine; layi down a policy for the development and exploitation of water resources in Palestine; reinforcement of the regional and international collaboration in water affairs; and pollution control and environment protection. General provisions are given in Chapter IV.