Reservoir Development

The importance of reservoirs cannot be overstated; they ensure economic viability and independence for communities and are a critical foundation in meeting Israel's water needs in the coming century. As JNF continues its thrust of developing water resources, constructing reservoirs for a variety of targeted uses remains a high priority. Recent emphasis has been on constructing reservoirs for storing recycled and flood waters in the Negev, Galilee and Jordan Valley.

Agriculture is the primary water consumer (about 70 percent of the total water supply); industrial and domestic use make up the rest. Israel has, in recent years, seriously attempted to reduce water allotted for agriculture, allowing a greater portion for industrial and domestic use. Nearly 50 percent of Israel's wastewaters are now treated for irrigation of nonfood, industrial crops. Recycling of effluent has the potential to meet approximately 20 percent of the total supply needed for agricultural purposes.

Riverbed Restoration

Except for the upper reaches of the Jordan River, all of Israel's rivers face pollution due to agricultural, industrial and urban effluent. This has caused a serious cycle of decline in water quality. Over the past two years, together with the Ministry of the Environment, JNF has successfully undertaken major restoration projects along the following rivers: Yarkon, Alexander, Lachish, Kishon, Ayalon, Taninnim and Poleg. Results are yet to be fully calculated. Nonetheless, the immediate benefits of the program are evident, not only in providing additional new and clean water sources for Israel's scarce supply, but also in its impact upon the quality of the environment.