Water supply and sanitation in Israel
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Access to an improved water source | 100% (2015) |
| Access to improved sanitation | 100% (2015) |
| Share of collected wastewater treated | Over 90% |
| Continuity of supply | Very high |
| Average urban water use (L/person/day) | 137 |
| Average urban water and sanitation tariff (US$/m3) | 249.60 NIS (Dec. 2010) per 20m3 |
| Share of household metering | Very high |
| 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 |
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 from 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, 86% of the country's drinkable water was produced through desalination of saltwater and brackish water.
As stated by Lifshitz, the director of the Israel Water Authority, in August 2025, the water authority issued a warning regarding a significant drought caused by record-high temperatures, diminished water resources, and the desiccation of northern streams, including the Banias Stream.