(IsraelNN.com) Israel's dwindling water resources are leaving the country with less drinkable water because of ground contamination, the Water Authority's Hydraulic Service has warned. The water in the Coastal Aquifer already is below standards for drinking, it said.

Both the Kinneret and the larger underground aquifer system have been severely depleted because of less than average rain the past several years and growing water consumption. Last year, the rainfall reached near the average but came only after an early winter drought that caused an unusual decrease in the level of the Kinneret because of farmer's needs for irrigation.

The Kinneret now is slightly more than 3.5 meters below the desirable level, one of the lowest levels ever for this time of year. Light rain is expected Thursday night and Friday morning in the north, but dry weather is forecast for all of Israel on the Sabbath and Monday. However, more rain is expected by next Monday or Tuesday.