During The Last several months Israel has experienced turbulent times on several fronts. The warring has continued and suicide bombers have continued to wreak havoc on the lives of Israelis. Yet one of the greatest dangers currently facing Israel and the rest of the Middle East is a dwindling supply of fresh water.
It could be noted that the shortage of fresh water is a growing problem worldwide; the scarcity of water is at its most severe, however, in the arid and semi-arid zones, such as Israel. Even with one of the lowest water consumption rates in the world, Israel will still consume over 99 percent of its available resources this year.
Current situation
An article appearing in the February 1, 2001, Jerusalem Post reported: “The nation is facing the most severe water crisis in its history, Water Commissioner Shimon Tal declared yesterday. He called on the public to adopt stringent water-saving measures in light of the badly depleted state of Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) and the main underground reservoirs – the coastal and mountain aquifers. Tal said the situation had been exacerbated by inadequate rainfall this winter and all efforts now have to be concentrated on conserving water, particularly in the urban sector.” The situation can be summarized very succinctly when one appreciates the fact that the sea of Galilee is at its lowest point in recorded history. According to the manager of Israeli water resources, Amos Epstein, the situation is so serious that fresh water supply has now dropped below all the redlines.
The Jewish National Fund estimates that Israel will experience a 53-billion (200-million cubic meters) shortfall this year alone. To put this number in perspective, the average North American consumes on average 50,000 gallons of water per annum (this figure includes washing, cleaning, drinking, etc.). Roughly translated, this means that some one million people will go without water should the problem continue.
Water-saving measures
In order to address the situation, both the government and the Jewish National Fund (JNF) have put forth programs. For its part, the Israeli government has put into place a water restriction program severely restricting the amount of water which can be used by both agricultural and domestic consumers. For the first time since the establishment of the state, more water is expected to be supplied for domestic use this year than for agriculture due to plans to cut fresh water quotas for farming by an average of 50 percent.
The conservation programs initiated by the Israeli government include a program termed the “Blue Label” program. This program includes faucet and shower-head fittings which give a strong flow while using less water and devices which reduce the amount of water used to flush toilets. Blue labels have also been awarded for outdoor toilets with an innovative system which converts effluent into compost without using harmful chemicals, and a spray which replaces water for cleaning cars.
Despite the heroic efforts of the conservation programs, the water conservation office anticipates the combined programs will bring about only a 10 percent cut in urban consumption this year, an overall saving of 70 million cubic meters (18.5 billion gallons).
Recycled water
The water development potential for the new millennium is based chiefly on recycling and slated mostly for agriculture. With urban demand requiring all available freshwater resources within 10-15 years, the use of recycled waters will be the only economically viable source for irrigated agriculture.
Riverbed restoration
The JNF has embarked on an ambitious plan to build water reservoirs and restore riverbeds. It has pledged to build 100 more reservoirs as a $250-million plan to extend the life of Israel’s remaining water resources. Recent emphasis has been on constructing reservoirs for storing recycled and floodwaters in the Negev, Galilee and Jordan Valley.
Except for the upper reaches of the Jordan River, all of Israel’s rivers face pollution due to agricultural, industrial and urban contamination. This has caused a serious cycle of decline in water quality. Over the past two years, together with the Ministry of the Environment, JNF has successfully undertaken major restoration projects along the follow-ing rivers: Yarkon, Alexander, Lachish, Kishon, Ayalon, Taninnim and Poleg. Results are yet to be fully calculated. Nonetheless, the immediate benefits of the program are evident, not only in providing additional new and clean water sources for Israel’s scarce supply, but also in its impact upon the quality of the environment.
Political implications
As the global water supply continues to dwindle, more alliances, as well as disputes, will likely emerge because of the significance of what’s at stake. According to David Seckler, director-general of the International Water Management Institute, “Water scarcity is now the single greatest threat to human health, the environment, and the global food supply.” This fact is particularly true in Israel. Wars have been and will continue to be fought over water.
We can all appreciate the task that Israel is currently facing. With an ever-increasing population base, the need for fresh water supply will continue to increase with each birth. We can also appreciate the fact that despite the conservation and heroic efforts of the JNF, the needs for the fresh water will continue unabated.
Scripture tells us God will restore the land through the abundance of water. Ezekiel 47 indicates the only way to access the temple will be via fording and swimming the waters that surround and flow from that area. As creation continues to groan and travail, we all wait for our Master’s return. “It shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem…and the LORD shall be King over all the earth…”
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