Mekorot: Disruption of drinking water supplies possible

The Mekorot National Water Company recommends the immediate reduction of water consumption by all available means. Over-pumping will reach 153 million cubic meters in 2002, and Lake Kinneret will fall below the red line.

12 September 02 16:44, Michal Raveh

Mekorot National Water Company director of water resources Sarah Haklai says preparations should be made for the possibility of another year with little rainfall, as in 2001. She said, "If this happens, drinking water supplies may be disrupted, and contingency plans for this should be drawn up."

Haklai painted a gloomy prognosis, outlining the looming risks, in her summary of the state of the water supplies in 2001-2002. She drew attention to the depleted state of the reservoirs and the problems of water quality. She estimated total over-pumping would reach 153 million cubic meters by the end of the year, mostly in the coastal aquifer.

In view of this situation, Haklai recommends reducing water consumption in the short term by all available means, in all sectors. She also recommends speeding up conversion of potable water for agriculture, expanding plants for the treatment of waste water, and connecting private wells in the coastal aquifer to the National Water Carrier.

Regarding the necessary measures, Haklai said over-pumping from the coastal aquifer would continue, and the level of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer would sink to 10-20 cm below the red lines. Haklai predicted the level of Lake Kinneret would reach minus 214.49 meters, below the minus 214.30 red line cited by experts.

Haklai stressed that specialists have warned against a further drop in the quality of water from the Kinneret, as a result of the persistence of low water levels.

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 12, 2002