water supply and sanitation in israel water supply and sanitation in israel water supply and sanitation in israel are intricately linked to the historical development of israel. because rain falls only in the winter, and largely in the northern part of the country, irrigation and water engineering are considered vital to the country's economic survival and growth. large scale projects to desalinate seawater, direct water from rivers and reservoirs in the north, make optimal use of groundwater, and reclaim flood overflow and sewage have been undertaken. among them is the national water carrier, carrying water from the country's biggest freshwater lake, the sea of galilee, to the northern part of the negev desert through channels, pipes and tunnels. israel's water demand today outstrips available conventional water resources. thus, in an average year, israel relies for about half of its water supply on unconventional water resources, including reclaimed water and desalination. a particularly long drought in 1998–2002 had prompted the government to promote large-scale seawater desalination. in 2022, 85% of the country's drinkable water was produced through desalination of saltwater and brackish water. this article is about water supply and sanitation in israel. for the palestinian territories, see water supply and sanitation in the palestinian territories. for the golan heights, see golan heights. israel: water and sanitation data access to an improved water source 100% (2015) access to improved sanitation 100% (2015) continuity of supply (%) very high average urban water use (liter/capita/day) 137 average urban domestic water and sewer bill for 20m3 249.60 nis (dec. 2010) share of household metering very high non-revenue water n/a share of collected wastewater treated over 90% annual investment in water supply and sanitation n/a sources of financing bond issues and subsidies (mekorot), government grants, soft loans and self-financing from revenues (municipalities), equity and commercial loans (desalination plants) institutions decentralization to municipalities yes (for water distribution and sanitation) national water and sanitation company mekorot (bulk water supplier) water and sanitation regulator governmental authority of water and sewerage responsibility for policy setting minister of energy and water resources sector law water law 1959, amended most recently in 2006 number of service providers 1 bulk water supplier 76 cities 144 local councils 53 regional councils natural water resources the main natural water resources of israel are: mediterranean sea the by far largest part of drinkable water is being produced nowadays by desalination of seawater obtained from the mediterranean sea. water from the jordan river basin the upper jordan river flows south into the freshwater lake known as the sea of galilee, which provides the largest freshwater storage capacity along the jordan river. the sea of galilee drains into the lower jordan river, which winds further south through the jordan valley to its terminus in the dead sea. a tributary of the jordan river south of the lake is the yarmouk river. groundwater