Western Galilee Desalination Plant Advances with EUR 150 Million EIB Backing

Construction is progressing on Israel's seventh desalination plant in the Western Galilee, backed by EUR 150 million from the European Investment Bank as part of the total EUR 425 million project cost. The Western Galilee (Birkat Miriam) facility will be the first desalination plant built in northern Israel, addressing longstanding water scarcity challenges in the region. The plant will utilize cutting-edge reverse osmosis technology to convert Mediterranean seawater into fresh water, adding significant capacity to the national water network. Upon completion, Israel's total desalination output will reach nearly 900 million cubic metres per year, representing 85-90% of household and industrial water consumption — a remarkable achievement for a country that was facing severe water shortages just two decades ago. The northern location is strategically important. While Israel's existing five desalination plants are clustered along the central and southern Mediterranean coast, northern communities have historically relied more heavily on the Sea of Galilee and local aquifers. Climate change has reduced natural water sources, making the Western Galilee plant essential for long-term water security in the region. Israel's water transformation extends beyond desalination. In 2023, the country inaugurated a reverse pumping system that allows it to refill the Sea of Galilee with surplus desalinated water — effectively using technology to restore a natural water body. The country now reuses approximately 80% of its wastewater for agricultural irrigation, the highest rate in the world, and produces 20% more water than it consumes annually.