Uri Shore, a senior water official, explains the water situation in Israel is a grave one. He stated that in addition to the concerns regarding the Kinneret, the general water problem is significantly more comprehensive.

He explained that there is a negative trend in all three of Israel’s major water sources, Lake Kinneret, the Coastal Aquifer, and the Mountainous Aquifer, coming at a time as we enter into the dry summer season, knowing it will be months until rain can be expected.

Regarding the ‘lower mark’ in the Kinneret, he explained that we do not want to pump below the line, explaining it may compromise the integrity of the water supply as is the case today since we truly have no other alternative.

Regarding the ‘black line’, Shore explained this is a different matter, calling the line “a stone wall which may not be passed”, stating the problems that result by pumping below the mark are irreversible and we run the risk of rendering the Kinneret a non-usable body of water. Today’s situation is the worst since Israel began keeping records in 1932.

Speaking at a Tel Aviv press conference, Water Authority Chief Uri Shani stated that we are in a drought that has been ongoing for seven years, and the situation is rapidly getting worse.

While the government and professional agencies are beginning to implement emergency measures, working to rapidly educate the public to conserve, the experts explain that unfortunately, there is no quick fix and the coming months will be difficult, especially for farmers. Shore added we must pray for a winter that is blessed with abundant rainfall.

One of the main steps being implemented is a drastic increase in the price of water. Once families pass the allotted cubes of water for their respected family size, there will be a major increase in the price-per-cube of the water used.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)