About one-third of Israel's population and major portions of its industry and agriculture are concentrated in the region overlying the coastal aquifer. Chemical and microbial pollutants, salination, nitrates, heavy metals, fuels and toxic organic compounds all threaten to contaminate the aquifer. Though some of these contaminants are a result of natural causes, the problems seem to be exacerbated by agricultural usage. The problem is compounded by the import of saline water from the Sea of Galilee for irrigation as well as ground water recharge and the use of effluents for irrigation. The salinity level of the coastal aquifer endangers such crops as citrus, avocado, vegetables and flowers.
Nitrate concentration is a special problem.
In the coastal aquifer, nitrates have considerably grown due to intensive use of fertilizers in agriculture. Nitrate pollution also results from the use of treated effluents for irrigation. Over the past two decades nitrate concentrations have doubled and will continue to rise, further complicating the problem. As the coastal aquifer becomes less usable, added pressure is placed on the other aquifers, increasing the potential for future problems. As noted above, technological innovations have greatly increased crop yields and water efficiency.