Israel faces driest winter in a century, relies on water technology to cope

Israel’s Water Authority announced on Sunday the country is facing its driest winter in a century. Israel has reportedly only received 55% of the average rainfall it normally gets during the crucial winter period, which lasts from October until March.

Due to its arid climate, Israel receives most of its annual rainfall during the winter period. 

The Water Authority’s director, Yehezkel Lifshitz, articulated concerns while emphasizing that Israel would nevertheless manage due to the country’s advanced desalination facilities and disciplined water conservation policies. 

“We are experiencing one of the driest precipitation seasons recorded in Israel in the last 100 years. However, the Water Authority’s proper preparation, which includes strategic planning and intelligent management of water sources, allows us to continue to provide water for all of the economy’s needs in a stable manner and ensures that the economy will not be affected by the dry winter in the immediate term,” Lifshitz stated. 

The Sea of Galilee, which is Israel’s most important freshwater reservoir, only rose in January by two centimeters (less than 0.8 of an inch). Furthermore, the adjacent Jordan River that is strongly associated with Jesus and the Bible, was at its lowest flow since 1960. 

While the country is facing an unusually dry winter, there were some exceptions.

The Carmel region close to the northern Israeli city of Haifa, has experienced higher-than-average precipitation including a single heavy downpour. Northern towns of Zichron Yaakov and Hadera also noted a higher-than-average rainfall.

By contrast, Israel’s capital Jerusalem only received 32% of its expected average annual rainfall. The Western Negev area close to the Gaza border, which is one of Israel’s main agriculture regions, only received between a third and a fifth of its average annual rainfall. 

In geographical terms, Israel ranks among the world’s most water-stressed countries. However, Israel has over the years developed advanced water technologies that enable the country to receive sufficient water for its population and agriculture.

Five operational desalination plants currently serve Israel’s population. In addition, a sixth plant will become operational within a few months and officials are already making preparations for constructing additional desalination plants that will secure the water supply for the Jewish state's growing population. 

With desert covering around 60% of its limited territory and limited rainfall, Israel was forced from its inception to develop unconventional technologies to address its water shortage.

In the 1960s, Israeli agriculture introduced drip irrigation that maximized efficient usage of water and minimized water waste. 

Israel’s Arab neighbors are also benefiting from Israeli advanced water technologies.

In January 2021, Israel’s national water company Mekorot announced that it would sign a preliminary agreement with the Gulf state Bahrain, concerning the supply of water desalination technology to the tiny Arab kingdom.

Bahrain normalized its diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the historic Arab Israeli Abraham Accords. Bahrain, which is one of the world’s most water-stressed societies, needs to import most of its drinking water. 

Israeli technologies have also boosted agriculture in countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel has exported its water technologies to various developing economies in Africa and Asia but also to dry first-world societies such as the U.S. state of California and Australia.