In a groundbreaking move, Israel has begun pumping desalinated seawater from the Mediterranean into the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), marking the first time globally that a freshwater lake is being replenished this way. The project, called the “Reverse Carrier,” is designed to secure the nation’s water future.
This initiative reverses the original National Water Carrier, which since 1994 transported water from the Kinneret to central and southern Israel. Now, the flow is in the opposite direction: desalinated water travels along the same route back into the lake.
Yechezkel Lifshitz, Director General of the Israel Water Authority, emphasized the Kinneret’s strategic and emotional significance, calling it “our national reservoir.” He noted that with few natural water sources, the lake remains a crucial reserve for drinking water and national security.
Construction on the Reverse Carrier began in 2018, with the project officially launching in 2022 at a cost of about NIS 900 million (approximately $269 million). Following the driest winter in a century, the system is now fully operational, ensuring the Kinneret remains a reliable water source for Israel.
(Source: Jerusalem Post)