Israel’s Water Crisis Is Over

According to the Water Authority, while the heavy rains of late were a blessed addition to Lake Kinneret [Sea of Galilee]—Israel’s main source of fresh water—it is the fast-growing desalination and water reclamation industry that is responsible for bringing Israel back from the brink. There are currently three major desalination plants in Israel; in Ashkelon, Hadera, and Palmachim; and together they supply nearly 50% of Israel’s drinking water needs. Two new facilities are slated to become operational between 2013 and 2014, in Sorek and Ashdod, increasing that amount by 25%.

According to Kushner, while the importance of precipitation-abundant years remains high, Israel’s dependency on them is diminishing. “Good rainfall gives us a safety net,” he explained. “It allows us a safe distance from red lines and underground water reservoirs. With the correct water market management, we can create an actual ‘safety zone’ that will last until 2025—even if we go through another two or three dry years,” he said.

The head of the Water Authority stressed that despite the water market’s good state, the public still has to avoid wasting water. “The basic water conservation rules, like not watering gardens indiscriminately, washing cars with hoses et cetera, still apply…and over the past few years, we’ve seen the public adopt them. The average household water consumption has decreased by 10% compared to the previous decade.”