Further Reading

The shared nature of Israel’s water resources poses a particular challenge. In order for water use to become sustainable in the region, transboundary water management must be improved.

Policy, innovation and management have helped the country address and in some cases overcome some of these challenges.

Water is considered a public good in Israel. The basis for policies and water administration in Israel is the 1959 Water Law.

In 2012, the Water Authority published a master plan outlining a strategy to ensure water availability until 2050. While total water use is expected to rise from 2,131 MCM in 2010 to 3,571 MCM in 2050

Cumulative water use in 2013 was around 2,187 MCM, exceeding natural water supply by about 45%. This deficit is increasingly made up for by alternative water sources.

Today, desalination accounts for approximately 42% of the country’s drinking water needs. Desalinated water production has increased significantly . . .

Israel has developed innovative solutions to address its water challenges. The most significant of these are desalination and wastewater reuse . . .

Lebanon has 40 rivers of which 17 are considered perennial. The total combined annual river flow is estimated at around 3,900 million cubic metres (MCM), with most of the flow (75%) occurring from January to May.