Water Shortage in Israel

Dry, parched land in Israel on Friday July 11, 2008. Israel is suffering its greatest drought in the past decade and will have to stop pumping from one of its main drinking water sources by the end of the summer. Israel has to stop pumping from the Sea of Galilee Ñ the source of about 40 percent of its drinking water Ñ it will have to step up extraction from already-depleted aquifers, underground water-bearing seams of rock. Israel\'s water problem stems from population growth and an improvement in quality of life that brings a greater desire to water lawns and gardens. This winter was the fourth that Israel received less than average rainfall, with only about 50-60 percent of the average in most areas. Photo by Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye.