Table 1 Comparative analysis of the water governance structure during different administrations
From: Water quality legislation in Palestine over the past century
| Â | Legal administration | Water resources | Community involvement | Adaptations to growing knowledge | Enforcement mechanisms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ottoman era | Focus on religious rulings about water protection | Spring water | Low- centralized | Low | Low |
British Mandate | Linkage between water quality legislations and scientific findings | Spring/surface(limited concern) and groundwater | High- local authorities and municipalities | High | Penalty system |
| Â | Wastewater disposal | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Jordanian administration (West Bank) | First definition of pollution (1955) | Surface water and groundwater | High- decentralization | High | Penalty system |
| Â | Penalties for violations | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Egyptian administration (Gaza Strip) | Enacted based on previous laws | Groundwater | High- decentralization | Â | Penalty system |
Israeli occupation | Military orders | Groundwater | Highly controlled and centralized | High | Penalty system, military orders |
| Â | Extension of pollution definition | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| Â | Groundwater wells database and quotas | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Palestinian authority | Developing a legal framework for water protection and management | Groundwater | High-decentralization | High | Low enforcement of law |