Water Supply and Sanitation in Israel

Water supply and sanitation in Israel are intricately linked to the historical development of Israel. Because rain falls only in the winter, and largely in the northern part of the country, irrigation and water engineering is vital to the country's economic survival and growth. Large scale projects to direct water from rivers and reservoirs in the north, make optimal use of groundwater, and reclaim flood overflow and sewage have been undertaken. The largest such project was a national water distribution system called the National Water Carrier, completed in 1964, flowing from the country's biggest freshwater lake, the Sea of Galilee, to the northern Negev desert, through huge channels, pipes and tunnels.

Israel's water demand today outstrips available conventional water resources, even in a year of average rainfall. Thus Israel relies on unconventional water resources, including reclaimed water and desalination. A particularly long drought in 1998-2002 prompted the government to promote large-scale seawater desalination.

New laws in the Israeli water and sanitation sector include the 2001 Water and Sewerage Corporations Law and a 2006 amendment to the Water Law which created a General Authority of Water and Sewage.