National Infrastructures Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued an order yesterday designed to fight Israel\'s water crisis. The order, valid for the months of August and September, forbids the watering of public and private lawns; offenders will be fined up to 9,600 shekels ($2,285). Large public parks will remain green. The Center for Local Government is furious at the new orders. \"This is a declaration of war on the citizens\' quality of life,\" said Center head Adi Eldar. He said he hoped that mayors and local leaders would find a way not to enforce the orders, \"so as not to turn Israel into a desert. Only 0.2% of Israel\'s annual water consumption goes to lawn-watering.\"
Water pumping from the coastal aquifer has now been approved, within certain limits. Former Water Commissioner Meir Ben-Meir had long claimed that fears that coastal aquifer waters could become saline were not serious, but most water experts did not agree. This week, however, his opinion was accepted. Ben-Meir told Arutz-7 several weeks ago that there is significantly more water there - almost a half-million cubic meters more - than there was during the previous water crisis ten years ago.
Water pumping from the coastal aquifer has now been approved, within certain limits. Former Water Commissioner Meir Ben-Meir had long claimed that fears that coastal aquifer waters could become saline were not serious, but most water experts did not agree. This week, however, his opinion was accepted. Ben-Meir told Arutz-7 several weeks ago that there is significantly more water there - almost a half-million cubic meters more - than there was during the previous water crisis ten years ago.