Water is a health resource, and constitutes the lifeline of mankind. Israel implements the accepted approach in the Western world, which holds that every person has a basic right to receive accessible, good quality drinking water.
The Ministry of Health has resolved that water for drinking and for domestic use must be free of pathogens and of chemical substances at levels that could affect human health.
The Ministry of Health views with great importance the drinking of water, and
has recently launched an initiative to encourage the drinking of tap water, under the heading "If You Are Thirsty – Only Real Water", bringing together a number of aspects of the subject:
- Increasing the awareness of the high quality of tap water in Israel
- The importance of drinking copiously for health, and to improve work, study and concentration abilities
- Reducing the drinking sweetened products, to fight against the phenomenon of obesity, and to prevent tooth decay
- Increasing the availability of convenient and inexpensive drinking facilities
- Reducing the consumption of bottles – an environmental approach
Following a survey of trends internationally for enhancing public confidence in drinking water (tap water), with an emphasis on intervention in schools, it was found that the introduction to schools of a water dispenser for refilling multi-use bottles increases students’ consumption of water.
It is proposed that the initiative to promote the drinking of tap water be integrated into schools, public buildings and urban space. The initiative will include the placement of water coolers for refilling multi-use bottles, integrated with appropriate educational content.
Possible partners:
- Local government authorities: Education Branch, Strategic Planning Branch, Municipal Health Coordinator, Local Government Center.
- Water Corporations, Water Departments.
- Ministry of Education.
- Ministry of Environmental Protection.
- Ministry of Culture and Sport.
- Parents’ Associations.
- Any other party that wishes to encourage the drinking of tap water.
Idea Proposed for Implementation by the Possible Partners:
Each of the possible partners is invited to implement the initiative in their field of responsibility. The Ministry of Health will be happy to support the initiative from the professional aspect.
The main components of the initiative will include:
- Educational program regarding drinking water.
- Placement of cooled water dispensers for refilling multi-use bottles in schools and in the public space.
- Distribution of the multi-use bottle.
The Regulations provide an obligatory, professional and advanced basis for the supply of safe drinking water for Israel, with the aspiration of being in league with the advanced countries of the world.
