Israel pioneers world’s first project to replenish the Sea of Galilee with desalinated water

Israel’s Water Authority made history in late October by beginning to pump desalinated water into the rapidly depleting Sea of Galilee, the country’s largest natural freshwater lake. It marks the first time anywhere in the world that a nation has sought to preserve a freshwater resource by channeling in processed seawater.

Located at 213 meters (700 feet) below sea level, the Sea of Galilee is the world’s lowest freshwater resource. On Monday, the level of the lake was merely a meter (39 inches) above what Israeli water experts call the lower red line. This refers to the lowest water level that the lake can drop before pumping can potentially destroy its fragile ecosystem. 

The Israeli Water Authority initially seeks to increase the lake level by 0.5 centimeters (almost 0.2 inches) per month. However, if needed, the authority is prepared to double the inflow of processed seawater into the lake, which has strong associations with Jesus and early Christianity. The processed seawater enters the lake via the Tsalmon Stream before reaching the Ein Ravid spring located some four kilometers (2.5 miles) north of the country’s vital drinking asset. 

If successful, the groundbreaking Israeli water desalination project could serve as a model for other countries struggling with depleting natural water resources. 

The Jewish state is located in an arid climate zone and most of the irregular rain normally falls during the short winter months. This means a limited time period every year when the lake’s water level can increase through natural means. 

In February of 2025, the Israeli Water Authority announced that the country was struggling with the driest winter in a century. The Jewish state only received some 55% of its normal rainfall during the last winter season, which lasts from October to March. 

Israeli Water Authority Director Yehezkel Lifshitz articulated concerns but stressed that the country would manage its water needs thanks to its advanced water desalination technologies. 

“We are experiencing one of the driest precipitation seasons recorded in Israel in the last 100 years. However, the Water Authority’s proper preparation, which includes strategic planning and intelligent management of water sources, allows us to continue to provide water for all of the economy’s needs in a stable manner and ensures that the economy will not be affected by the dry winter in the immediate term,” Lifshitz stated. 

While the Israeli industry and population can manage the loss of rainfall, it had nevertheless a negative impact on the water level in the Sea of the Galilee. 

Idan Greenbaum, chairman of the Kinneret Cities Association, warned in September that the situation was not sustainable and called for the inflow of desalinated water into the lake. 

“The lake is losing a centimeter of water a day in these dry summer months due to natural evaporation. We are eagerly awaiting the inflow and hope that with desalinated water we can guarantee a high lake level for Israelis and tourists alike,” Greenbaum said. 

Looking ahead, the Israel Meteorological Service predicted that the country would receive some 80% of its annual average rainfall this coming winter. While this constitutes a significant improvement compared to last winter, it is still below the average. Furthermore, Israeli water experts stress that long-term rainfall forecasts are difficult, especially in the Middle East where precipitation is irregular.

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