JNFs 180 reservoirs have a total storage capacity of over 35 billion gallons. Despite heavy rainfall during two of the last three winters, Israel's three main water sources -the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), the mountain hill aquifer and the coastal aquifer - have suffered from chronic shortages and instability. In light of the recent rain shortage, JNF reservoirs play an even more crucial role in recycling water and catching rainwater. The recycled water is used for irrigation, thus allowing fresh water to be used for drinking water.
JNF is continuing to build new reservoirs, especially in the Negev desert, where JNFs Blueprint Negev campaign is underway. Five new reservoirs are now under construction: Essence of Life near Mitzpeh Ramon in the Negev, Lachish in the northern Negev, Koren near Kibbutz Gesher Haziv, and Amiad and Shamir Reservoirs in the north.
The Essence of Life Reservoir near the Ramon Air Base, planned to recycle water from the base for use in irrigating the area and maintaining a green area, including a park. The project is supported by synagogues and congregations from around the United States, representing every stream of Judaism.
Lachish, with a capacity of 330 million gallons, will store treated wastewater from Jerusalem and surrounding areas to help irrigate the farm fields of Moshav Lachish and the Etzion Bloc. The reservoir will enable agricultural water quotas to be expanded for export-oriented produce grown on available farming lands, thus helping to enlarge the sources of farm livelihood and strengthen Jewish communities in the Northern Negev.
The Koren Reservoir in the north, will recycle water from Nahariya and handle almost 740 million gallons. Water from Koren will be used to irrigate farms in the surrounding villages. Amiad and Shamir Reservoirs were recently opened in the north at a cost of about $2.5 million. Amiad holds 66 million gallons and treats water from Amiad, Elifelet, Korazim, Kachal and the military camps near them. Shamir is twice the size, and is slated to treat water from Kibbutzim Shamir, Amir, Sde Nechemia and Kfar Szold for the irrigation of the fields of Kibbutz Shamir.
JNF is continuing to build new reservoirs, especially in the Negev desert, where JNFs Blueprint Negev campaign is underway. Five new reservoirs are now under construction: Essence of Life near Mitzpeh Ramon in the Negev, Lachish in the northern Negev, Koren near Kibbutz Gesher Haziv, and Amiad and Shamir Reservoirs in the north.
The Essence of Life Reservoir near the Ramon Air Base, planned to recycle water from the base for use in irrigating the area and maintaining a green area, including a park. The project is supported by synagogues and congregations from around the United States, representing every stream of Judaism.
Lachish, with a capacity of 330 million gallons, will store treated wastewater from Jerusalem and surrounding areas to help irrigate the farm fields of Moshav Lachish and the Etzion Bloc. The reservoir will enable agricultural water quotas to be expanded for export-oriented produce grown on available farming lands, thus helping to enlarge the sources of farm livelihood and strengthen Jewish communities in the Northern Negev.
The Koren Reservoir in the north, will recycle water from Nahariya and handle almost 740 million gallons. Water from Koren will be used to irrigate farms in the surrounding villages. Amiad and Shamir Reservoirs were recently opened in the north at a cost of about $2.5 million. Amiad holds 66 million gallons and treats water from Amiad, Elifelet, Korazim, Kachal and the military camps near them. Shamir is twice the size, and is slated to treat water from Kibbutzim Shamir, Amir, Sde Nechemia and Kfar Szold for the irrigation of the fields of Kibbutz Shamir.