For the first time in 7 years, the  Kinneret (Sea of Galilee ) has risen by 13 centimeters, slightly more than 5 inches, since Thursday, when rain and snow stopped falling – as water from last week's precipitation continues to flow into the sea. The fresh-water lake is currently at 211.07 meters below sea level. But despite the encouraging figure, the Kinneret is still three meters short of being full.

The winter rains have also improved the condition of the mountain aquifer, raising the water level to just above the red line. However, the condition of the coastal aquifer still needs improvement, and the Water Authority is considering halting pumping from it soon, in an attempt to replenish it.

Since the winter of 2005, a two-meter rise in the Kinneret's water level has been a fantasy. It rose by just one meter in each rainy season. In the driest years, such as 2008, the water level rose by just half a meter. Before the drought, the Kinneret's water level rose by an average of 1.60 meters after each winter rainy season, with an inflow of 320 million cubic meters from rivers.

The Water Authority attributes the dramatic improvement in the water economy to the expansion of seawater desalination. Today, half of Israel's drinking water comes from the three main desalination plants at Ashkelon, Palmachim, and Hadera. The Palmachim facility has been expanded to increase its production capacity.

Israel is currently desalinating  300 million cubic meters of water a year, and will add another 300 million cubic meters a year in two years, when the Ashdod and Soreq facilities come on line. Givati says that the availability of desalinated water allows the Water Authority to improve water storage at source - in the Kinneret and aquifers.

Pumping from the Kinneret is minimal, and the pumping itself will likely only be increased in May. Mekorot National Water Company estimates that, by the end of 2013, 75% of water supplied to the public will be desalinated seawater.

Despite the encouraging figures, the Water Authority speculates that the seven-year drought has created a shortfall of 1.5 billion cubic meters of water in the aquifers and the Kinneret. "The situation is improving, but it is still difficult, and is certainly a long way from being easy. There is a positive trend, but we must conserve. The water crisis isn't over. It simply didn’t worsen this winter," said a senior Water Authority source.

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