Israel to top off Sea of Galilee with desalinated water to fight climate threat

Authorities hope the project will help keep freshwater lake full, while boosting ties with thirsty neighbours

ISRAEL, A LEADER in making seawater drinkable, plans to pump excess output from its desalination plants into the Sea of Galilee, depleted by overuse and threatened by climate change.

Irregular rainfall, rising temperatures and intensive pumping have overtaxed the world’s lowest freshwater lake, which for decades has served as the Jewish state’s main sweet-water reservoir.

Israel now plans to tackle the challenge by reversing the water flow through its vast network of pumps, pipes and tunnels dating to the 1960s, the National Water Carrier.

Authorities hail the project as a showcase for Israel’s cutting-edge desalination and water management technology, which can also help deepen ties with arid Arab states.

Critics charge that Israel has long short-changed Palestinians out of their fair share of water, leaving much of the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip facing severe water stress.

FULL STORY To combat climate threats, Israel to top off Sea of Galilee with desalinated water (Times of Israel)

Freshwater lake depleted by droughts, rising temperatures and over-pumping, but authorities hope project will help keep reservoir full, while boosting ties with thirsty neighbours