AN INTRODUCTION TO WATER DISTRIBUTION & WATER CONSERVATION IN ISRAEL:

MY ISRAEL:

The river Jordan & by extension, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is fed by 3 rivers. The first of which is the Hatsbani river, also known as the Snir, who’s source originates in the Lebanese mountains. The second is the Banias river, alternatively known as the Hermon which emanates from Mount Hermon, as does the third river, namely the Dan river. In the early 1960’s, the Syrians embarked on a plan to divert both the Hatsbani & Banias rivers to the Yarmouk river which is located to the east of Israel. This action would have reduced the amount of water entering the Kinneret by 35%, thereby depriving Israel of a major water source. Control of the water sources was one of the major factors leading to the 6 day war in June 1967.

However, I’m getting ahead of myself, and must go back in time.

The humble beginnings of water distribution in Israel are contained in a story told by Levi Eshkol’s daughter. Levi Eshkol was Israel’s 3rd prime minister (1963 – 1969), and a founding member of Kibbutz Degania Bet. The Kibbutz, founded in 1920 is located near the southern shores of the Kinneret & lies close to the Jordan River. With the help of another kibbutz member, a wagon and two mules, one of Levi Eshkol’s tasks was to bring barrels of water from the Jordan River to the kibbutz. A tedious & backbreaking assignment. Tired of “schlepping” water, he concluded that there must be a better and more practical way of transporting the liquid. Simcha Blass, a water engineer was consulted. The meeting resulted in the purchase of a water pump and the laying of a pipeline, which in time evolved into the national water company of Israel known as Mekorot. Founded in 1937 & today supplies Israel with 90% of its drinking water, the company operates a cross-country water supply network known as the National Water Carrier.

Work on the National Water Carrier that distributes water throughout the land began in 1956 and completed in 1964.

The Sapir pumping station on the western shore of the Kinneret north of Tiberius, pumps water to the Eshkol reservoir in the Bet Netofa Valley, located in the Lower Galilee midway between Haifa & Tiberius. Here the water is treated and purified using reservoirs, chemicals, filtration procedures & the introduction of fish. The fish eat the algae & other organisms including waste products such as feces. On completion of the purification process, the water is then stored in underground pipes to prevent contamination.

The water is then piped to the Yarkon-Negev water distribution facility near Rosh HaAyiin, a city in the central district of Israel. On arrival, water from the mountain aquifer & desalinated water are added to the mix, & distributed throughout the land.

Besides the Kinneret, Israel has 4 additional water sources, namely the mountain aquifer, the coastal aquifer, the Negev & Arava aquifers. An aquifer is an underground layer of impermeable rock akin to a riverbed allowing water to flow or be contained below ground. Access to this water is achieved using mechanical pumps.

Desalination is a process involving the removal salts & minerals from sea or saline water making it suitable for human & animal consumption. Bearing in mind that water covers 70% of the earth’s surface, 90% of which is saltwater, desalination is a valuable strategy to overcome water shortages. In response to this challenge, Israel has built 6 seawater desalination plants: These include The Soreq, Hadera, Ashkelon, Palmachim, Ashdod & Eilat plants. In addition, Israel has another 31 desalination plants that deal with brackish water, which has more salinity than freshwater but not as much as seawater.

An additional source of water conservation embraced by Israel are wastewater treatment plants, namely, the Shafdan, Gihon & Emek Hefer plants. There are two categories of waste material discharged into sewers, industrial & domestic.

Bearing in mind that 55% of Israel is desert & has since its inception been battling water shortages, the country is the world leader in the recycling of wastewater. 85% of its wastewater is being recycled and used for agriculture, with Spain next in line at only 19%. Allow me to labor this point; all other countries are below 19% in their recycling commitments. Purple colored pipes designate recycled water and are evident throughout the country. Thus, in an average year, Israel relies for about half of its water supply on unconventional water sources, including reclaimed water & desalination

It is a remarkable achievement especially in light of the statement made by Daniel Bernard, the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom who in 2001 said “All the current troubles in the world are because of that shitty little country Israel”.

Note: Tours to the Eshkol Visitors Centre must be pre-arranged. Tel: 04-6500663. Fax: 04-6001415.

Comment: The attached article is merely an introduction to water distribution & water conservation in Israel. The tour will give the participant a more in depth look at the procedures involved.

Ron Traub (Tour Guide & Architect).

Website: rontraub-tours.com

Photo’s: from the internet.