Israel is looking for solutions to the drought of lakes and the lack of fresh water, and it seems that its focus in the coming period will focus on the waters of the Mediterranean, according to a report carried by the American network “CNN”.
The network highlights the “Sea of Galilee” (Lake Tiberias), which is in fact a freshwater lake, which was a source of life for centuries.
Even today, the lake irrigates local vineyards and farms with various types of fruits and vegetables, and is a magnet for tourists with its monuments, history, hot springs and hiking trails, revitalizing the local communities.
But this site, in which the Bible mentioned that Christ performed a number of miracles, is now facing an uncertain future, as the lake water levels witnessed a remarkable decline, and five years ago they recorded a record low.
With climate change ravaging most of the fresh water in the rivers and lakes of the Middle East, Israel is trying to devise a way to pump water from the Mediterranean, after desalination, into the lake and across parts of the country.
Israel has a long experience in the field of water desalination, and for 20 years it removed salt from the waters of the Mediterranean in a process called “reverse osmosis”.
Although the US state of California has resorted to this technology during the dry seasons, the network stated in its report that the situation in Israel is a “imposed daily reality”, as five desalination plants operate along the coast to meet the needs of 9.2 million people.
However, CNN says that these plants run on natural gas, which exacerbates the climate problem, which causes a shortage of fresh water in the first place, noting that with the passage of time and the adoption of environmentally friendly standards by the plants, the solution offered by Israel may become attractive.
Project details
Although the project appears modest at first, it is the first of its kind, according to the network, which stated that it will consist of a 1.6-meter-wide water pipe extending 31 km, at a cost of $264 million, which will pump desalinated water into the Tsalmon spring that feeds the lake. .
The director of the engineering department at the Israeli National Water Company, Noam Ben Showa, told the network that he was surprised by the idea when it was presented, but “quickly, we understood the value of this for the local market itself.”
He also believes that this project will contribute to the development of agriculture in the wider region, including with regard to neighboring Jordan.
Israel concluded a lengthy agreement to sell tens of millions of cubic meters of water annually to Jordan, and in 2021, the two countries signed a new agreement that includes Jordan getting 200 million cubic meters each year, covering about 20 percent of the kingdom’s need, in exchange for solar energy that can supply Feeds the Israeli network.
It is expected that Emirati companies will build 600 solar power plants in Jordan.
The network adds that, within months, the new pipeline is expected to pump 120 million cubic meters of water annually, but it will not be pumped into the “Sea of Galilee” except when needed.
And Gideon Gal, director of scientists at the Israeli “Kinneret Limnological” laboratories, reviewed some of the concerns about adding desalinated seawater to natural lakes.
“When you mix desalinated water with natural water, you see an effect on the biology in the experiments,” he told the US network. “We’re going to bring things into the lake that might not be present naturally.”
Even with the desired benefits, Gal said he hopes the lake doesn’t need any human intervention.
He added, “But given what we think we know about climate change, and what will happen in the lake… the risks of introducing desalinated water are a worthwhile risk.”