-Global warming notwithstanding, Israeli rainfall statistics have remained essentially unchanged in the 60 years they have been tracked. (Haaretz)
-Preserving water for nature in Israel presents a serious challenge to agriculture: “farming, which is three percent of the Gross Domestic Product and three percent of the labor force, still uses 40 percent of the high-quality water.� (Haaretz)
-Bezet Stream, one of the Western Galilee’s most beautiful streams, the most northern watercourse flowing to the Mediterranean, and with surrounding scenery that is a high priority for conservation, is drying up, as a result of drilling for water from the springs and and water reserves which are the streams’ sources. Even strong rainfalls in the next few years will not save streams like Bezet, Kziv and others, because Mekorot is pumping increasing amounts of water from it. (Haaretz)
-Most of the water in the Coast Aquifer, one of Israel’s two main ground-water sources, is below the standard for potable water. As for the West Mountain Aquifer (the other major freshwater source, which also provides water for the Palestinians) The Hydrological Service recommends reducing the water drilling from it by one tenth, and to be prepared for increased water drilling on the Palestinian side. (Haaretz)
