Table 2. Political trade-offs across institutional actors affected by changes to Israel’s integrated water resources management system. Institutional actor     Political cost incurred     Political benefits received Ministry of Agriculture Loss of ability to influence water pricing Side agreement on water pricing Input into nomination of public representative on oversight committee Representation on oversight committee Responsibilities for drainage issues unchanged Ministry of Interior Loss of authority over water pricing and wastewater Input into nomination of public representative on oversight committee Gradual transfer of responsibilities Representation on oversight committee Ministry of Infrastructure Loss of ministerial control over the new Water Authority Nomination of head of Water Authority Input into nomination of public representative on oversight committee Representation on oversight committee Ministry of Environment Loss of partial control over water pollution Responsibilities for water quality protection unchanged Representation on oversight committee Ministry of Finance Conceded use of market-driven water pricing Conceded direct effect on water pricing Ability to set annual water budget