Background
Mineral content in drinking water varies across Israel due to differences in water sources, including desalinated and natural supplies. Understanding these variations is important for assessing population-level exposure to essential minerals.
Methods
We analyzed data published by the Ministry of Health (MOH), including calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) measurements from the 2023 national drinking water survey and fluoride (F) data from 2014–2024. Mean concentrations were calculated for Israel’s seven districts. Mineral levels were also compared across regions according to their primary water source, as defined by the MOH.
Results
A total of 292 Mg samples, 356 Ca samples, and 1,021 F samples were included. The nationwide median Ca and Mg concentrations were 53 mg/L (IQR 35–72) and 12 mg/L (IQR 4–23), respectively. Mg levels were highest in the northern district (median 34 mg/L; IQR 32–37) and lowest in the two southernmost districts: Ashkelon (median 2; IQR 1–9) and the South (median 5; IQR 2–12). Ca levels showed smaller variation but followed the same pattern, with Ashkelon and the South having the lowest median values (31 and 34 mg/L, respectively). Fluoride levels were relatively low in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, and the central district (median 0.07, IQR 0.07–0.12; median 0.07, IQR 0.07–0.07; median 0.07, IQR 0.07–0.15, respectively)
Conclusions
Substantial geographic differences in drinking water mineral content exist across Israel. Regions that rely heavily on desalinated water, particularly Ashkelon and the South, exhibit markedly lower Mg and Ca levels. These findings highlight the potential need for region-specific considerations in water treatment policy.
