An attempt is made to share the truth regarding issues concerning Israel and her right to exist as a Jewish nation. This blog has expanded to present information about radical Islam and its potential impact upon Israel and the West. Yes, I do mix in a bit of opinion from time to time.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Gov't Budgets 2 Billion NIS for Water Shortage
Hillel Fendel
Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says that Israel's water troubles are all but solved, now that the government has approved his two-billion shekel program.
The government voted to pass the four-step program at its weekly meeting on Sunday.
The four elements of the program are as follows:1. 120 million shekels for water conservation activities, such as promoting water conservation awareness and a new water price schedule.
2. 915 million shekels over the next five years for water recycling
3. Increasing desalinated water to 600 million cubic meters by 2013, and to 750 million cubic meters by 2020. Currently, 138 million cubic meters are desalinated yearly in Ashkelon and environs, and a plant in Hadera is being built that can process another 100 million.
4. The establishment of a government task force staffed by members of the Finance, Infrastructures and Justice Ministries, as well as representatives of the Interior Ministry's planning administration and the Israel Lands Authority. The body will coordinate and streamline bureacracy for necessary legislation and other necessary procedures.
Following a particularly dry rainy season this past winter - rainfall was only 65% of the yearly average, and under 60% in some places - Israel's largest reservoir, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is left at a dangerous low. It currently stands at 212.47 meters below sea level - 40 centimeters lower than eight weeks ago, and a full 1.3 meters lower than a year ago.
If the Kineret loses just 53 more centimeters of height, it will reach the dangerous red line, beyond which drawing water is not permitted.
Ben-Eliezer said that Israel is currently undergoing an unprecedented water crisis, but that the new program provides hope for Israel's citizens. He has previously said that the new water rates that will go into effect will be beneficial to large and under-privileged families, and will also take into account the "special needs" of mikvaot (ritual baths).
MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism) said that the water crisis is partly due to government failures and negligence. "Five years ago we already had a plan for increased desalination," Porush said, "but the Finance Ministry found ways to avoid carrying it out, and in the end, only two out of the five planned desalination plants were approved."
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