4. WATER USAGE IN AGRICULTURE
4.1 General
Israel is located in the northern part of the latitudinal desert belt, and a large part of its area is
desert. Even Israel’s fertile area is not rich in water. The amount of precipitation in Israel,
which fluctuates from year to year, is barely sufficient to serve the water needs of the
growing population. Because water in Israel is rare and precious, as well as being extremely
important resource for the economy and the environment, a continual need exists for
management and development of Israel’s water economy.
In the past, Israel’s water economy was based mainly on precipitation. Most precipitation in
Israel in drainage basins evaporates, with a small portion flowing into surface water
reservoirs, groundwater, or the sea. Many factors, such as land use, pollution, and salination
of wells, affect water quality and the quantity of available water.
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4.2 Purpose and Implications of the Indicator
4.2.1
Purpose of the Indicator
The purpose of the indicator is to reveal trends and changes in the quantities of water usage
in agriculture over time.

By type of water

By geographic area
4.2.2
Effect of Water Usage in Agriculture on the Environment
The use of water in agriculture and for other purposes, along with the decrease in availability
of fresh water during recent years, have led to a deficit in the natural water balance and a
decrease in water quality in the various water sources due to increased pumping. In addition,
due to the continually increasing usage of effluents for irrigation, its influence on the
environment is increasing.
The major effects on the different types of water are:
Surface water – Irrigation using water from the Sea of Galilee, which has relatively high
salinity, transfers the salts to the irrigated soil. In addition, pumping from the Sea of Galilee
contributes to disturbing the balance between the influx of the fresh water from the Jordan
River and from the streams of the Golan Heights and the Eastern Galilee, and the influx of
salinated water from the springs.
Groundwater – Increased pumping of water from the Coastal Aquifer and irrigation with water
from the Sea of Galilee, which has a high concentration of salts and a lack of precipitation,
lead to salination of the aquifer water and a drop in the water level in the aquifer. In addition,
the groundwater becomes salinated due to fertilizers, nitrates, remains of pesticides, and
other consequences of agricultural activity over the aquifer.
Effluents – The water contains materials that affect the agricultural crops as well as the soil
quality. The Water Authority tests the quality of effluents in an annual survey, data from
which are presented here.
The need to maintain and restore the “natural state” of Israel’s water resources is an
inseparable part of managing sustainable agriculture, which necessitates up-to-date status
reports and follow-up over time, for the purposes of comparison and identification of trends.
4.2.3
The Investigation Period
The period investigated was 1996–2011.
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4.3 Methodology
The following components were used to aid in calculating the indicator:

Percentage of water usage in agriculture by type of water, out of total water usage.

Geographic spread of agricultural crop areas, by type of water consumed.
4.3.1
Method of Calculating the Indicator
The net product obtained from agriculture beginning from the 1960s can be calculated from
ICBS data by determining a reference point equal to 0 and from then on calculating the
percentage of change each year.
Thus, the net product increased by approximately 1,100% between the 1960s and the year
2011.
4.3.2

Reliability of the Data
The data from the Water Authority on irrigation with effluents take into account not the
total irrigated area, but rather the area under permit.
4.4 Indicator Data
Surface water: In 2011, surface water constituted approximately 28% of the water supply in
Israel, with the Sea of Galilee being the main source of surface water. The National Water
Carrier, connected to the Sea of Galilee, is the major artery of the national water system,
which was established in the 1950s. The National Water Carrier serves to transport water
from the rainy north to the central and southern parts of the country, and to efficiently
regulate Israel’s water supply.
Groundwater: In 2011, groundwater constituted 37% of the water supply in Israel. The major
sources of groundwater were the Coastal and Mountain aquifers. The continually increasing
usage of these sources, along with the absence of rain in recent years, has created a severe
deficit in the water balance in the aquifers and contributed to an increase in the salinity of the
water in the Coastal Aquifer.
Desalination: In recent years, desalination plants have assumed an increasing part of the
water supply. In 2011, desalinated water constituted 14% of Israel’s water supply. In that
year, 300 million cubic meters of water were desalinated in three seawater desalination
plants – Ashkelon, Palmahim, and Hadera – as well as in additional plants for desalination of
salinated water.
Effluents: In 2011, effluents constituted 21% of Israel’s water supply. Each year, the various
treatment plants treat more than 450 million cubic meters of sewage. Most of the sewage
undergoes treatment and is then used as effluents in agricultural irrigation.
At the Dan Region Reclamation Project (DRRP) plant, the sewage undergoes several
treatment processes and is recharged to the ground, in order to be pumped as highly purified
water to be used for irrigating agricultural fields, mostly in the south. In Israel, the share of re- (57) -
used effluents is 90% – the highest percentage in the world. The re-use is carried out in 135
treatment plants around the country.
Water in agriculture: The increase in demand for water in Israel, along with the increasing
shortage of water, have led to a policy change in water allocation and to cutbacks in fresh
water allowances to the agricultural sector, which is the main consumer of water in Israel.
The need to conserve water has led to a substantial increase in the efficiency of water usage
in agriculture, through development of water-conserving irrigation methods such as use of
drip irrigation and re-use of water. The increase in availability of effluents for irrigation has
enabled a decrease in agricultural consumption of fresh water. During 2000–2011, the
quantity of fresh water going to agriculture, out of total fresh water consumption in Israel,
decreased by approximately 10%. The continual increase in net agricultural product over the
years, while the level of water consumption and crop area remained almost unchanged
(Diagram 21), indicate increased efficiency in the agriculture industry.
Table E: Water Consumption and Water Consumption in Agriculture,
by Type of Water
1996–2011
Million m3
Grand
total
Thereof: In agriculture
Total
Fresh
water
Non-fresh water
Total
DRRP
water
Effluents
Salinated
water
Flood
water
1996
2,013
1,284
892
392
141
129
76
46
1997
2,008
1,264
855
409
129
126
92
62
1998
2,166
1,365
919
446
136
135
96
79
1999
2,073
1,265
824
441
138
148
101
54
2000
1,924
1,137
728
409
117
143
100
49
2001
1,800
1,022
563
459
122
145
145
47
2002
1,831
1,021
535
486
138
148
146
54
2003
1,860
1,045
562
483
138
147
150
48
2004
1,954
1,129
565
564
144
183
185
52
2005
1,961
1,127
544
583
150
191
190
52
2006
1,959
1,108
520
588
160
194
190
44
2007
2,072
1,185
550
635
171
216
202
46
2008
2,001
1,121
491
630
169
230
188
43
2009
1,811
1,016
403
613
160
235
180
38
2010
1,919
1,100
476
624
168
246
165
45
2011
1,831
1,042
414
628
156
259
174
40
Table E presents the changes in consumption of water in agriculture, by type of water, during
1996–2011. The table shows that there was a substantial decrease in consumption of fresh
water in agriculture, from 892 million cubic meters in 1996 to 414 million cubic meters in
2011. The decrease in consumption of fresh water for irrigation occurred along with the
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substantial increase in irrigation with non-fresh water, from 392 million cubic meters in 1996
to 628 million cubic meters in 2011.
19: CONSUMPTION OF WATER IN AGRICULTURE, BY TYPE
1996–2011
100
90
80
Percentages
70
60
Non-fresh
50
Fresh
40
30
20
10
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
0
Diagram 19 presents consumption of water in agriculture in percentages. It can be seen that
the level of fresh water consumption decreased over the years, like the overall consumption
of water in agriculture.
20: AGRICULTURAL CROP AREA IRRIGATED WITH EFFLUENTS
(including DRRP)
1963–2010(1)
1,400
Thousand dunams
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
(1)
2010
2007
2004
2000
1994
1989
1987
1985
1982
1980
1978
1975
1971
1967
1963
0
There are no data for some of the years.
As part of the Water Authority’s national survey Collection and Treatment of Wastewater and
Utilization of Effluents for Agricultural Irrigation, the Water Authority mapped 5,027 plots that
were irrigated using effluents and water from the DRRP. The mapping also included the type
of crop in the plot, the area of the plot, and the annual quantity of effluents per dunam. In
plots with seed cycles of field crops, the quantity of water used for irrigation in the plot was
estimated according to the types of crops during 2009–2010.
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Map 1: Country-Wide Mapping of Crop Area Irrigated With Effluents and DRRP Water
2010
Legend:

Primary cities
 Areas irrigated with effluents
 Areas irrigated with DRRP water
Mapping and editing: Environmental Surveys and Research Sector, Environment Unit, Nature and Parks Authority, March 2012
Scale: 1:700,000
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The usage of effluents for irrigation is relatively evenly distributed over the agricultural crop
areas in Israel, whereas the usage of DRRP water for irrigation is mostly concentrated in the
Be’er Sheva Sub-District (mostly in the Besor Region). The main areas irrigated with
effluents are located in the Yizre’el Valley, the Zefat Sub-District, the Nahariyya Region, the
Haifa Region, the Sharon Sub-District, the Judea Plain, the Rehovot Region, and the
Mal’akhi Region.
21: NET AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT, AGRICULTURAL AREAS,
AND WATER CONSUMPTION IN AGRICULTURE
1960–2011
1,400
Index: 1960=100.0
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
Water consumption in agriculture
Agricultural area
2011
2008
2005
2002
1999
1996
1993
1990
1987
1984
1981
1978
1975
1972
1969
1966
1963
1960
0
Net agricultural product
Diagram 21 shows that the change in net agricultural product reached approximately 1,100%
in 2011, compared to 1960. This change reflects the increase in efficiency of agricultural
irrigation: a substantial increase in net agricultural product while the crop area and water
consumption remained almost unchanged.
In the early 1960s, the total crop area was approximately 3,900,000 dunams. It reached
approximately 4,400,000 dunams in the early 1980s, and decreased to approximately
3,800,000 dunams in recent years.
Water consumption was 5% lower in 2011 than in 1960, as a result of the limitations on water
usage in agriculture, which led to changes in irrigation methods, an increase in agricultural
product, and a reduction in water usage.
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22: PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN WATER CONSUMPTION IN AGRICULTURE,
IN SELECTED OECD COUNTRIES(1)
BETWEEN 2000 AND 2008
150
Percentage of change
100
50
-1.4
0
-50
(1)
Slovakia
Australia
Hungary
France
United Kingdom
Portugal
Spain
Greece
Netherlands
Japan
Israel
Turkey
Mexico
Poland
Denmark
Czech Republic
-100
Country data as available.
Diagram 22 shows that in Israel, the percentage change in water consumption in agriculture
during 2000–2008 was 1.4%. Comparisons with other OECD countries show that in
Denmark, this percentage increased by 30%. In contrast, in France and Slovakia,
consumption decreased markedly (by 47% and 81%, respectively).
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4.5 Terms, Definitions, and Explanations

Surface water – water flowing on the surface of the ground that reaches streams,
rivers, and lakes. It is an important source of supply of water because of its
availability and convenience.

Groundwater – water stored in pores and fractures of rocks. Its source is rainwater
that seeps into the soil until it reaches an impervious layer that is impenetrable to
water, upon which it pools and is stored.

Desalinated water – water that has undergone desalination or purification (separation
of the water and materials dissolved in it) and is intended for consumption. Includes
desalinated groundwater and desalinated seawater.

Effluents – raw sewage treated in order to reduce its organic load.

The Coastal Aquifer – an aquifer that spans from Binyamina-Giv'at Ada in the north to
Nir Am in the south. In the east, the aquifer is bordered by the foothills and the plain
of the central mountain ridge and in the west by the Mediterranean Sea.

Dan Region Reclamation Project – a project for the treatment of sewage and
reclamation of effluents in the Dan Region. The project’s activities include collection
and treatment of sewage, recharging of effluents to groundwater, and re-use of the
water.

Crop area – the entire area upon which crops were grown during the investigated
year. Includes physical crop area and multi-crop area.

Net domestic product – gross domestic agriculture product, minus consumption of
fixed capital.
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4.6 Sources of the Data
Sources of mapping data: Ministry of Health, Mekorot – Israel National Water
Company, regional water associations, and moshav secretaries from the Ashqelon,
Be’er Sheva, and Rehovot sub-districts.
Data on consumption of water in agriculture, by type, were obtained from the Water
Authority and from ICBS publications.
Data on area irrigated with effluents were obtained from the Nature and Parks
Authority.

ICBS:
Agriculture and Environment Sector, Satellite Account of Water in Israel 2006
Statistical Abstract of Israel, various years

Water Authority:
http://www.water.gov.il/HEBREW/WATERRESOURCES/Pages/default.aspx (Hebrew only)
http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/ProfessionalInfoAndData/Allocation-Consumption-andproduction/Pages/Consumer-survey.aspx (Hebrew only)
Collection and Treatment of Wastewater and Utilization of Effluents for Agricultural Irrigation –
2010 (Hebrew only):
http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/ProfessionalInfoAndData/Water-Quality/DocLib1/seker-kolhin2010.pdf

Israel’s Second National Communication on Climate Change, United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, by Dr. Moshe Yanai and Shoshana
Gabbay:
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/isrnc2.pdf
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