Influence of land use on the quality of runoff along Israel′s coastal strip (demonstrated in the cities of Herzliya and Ra′anana)

This study presents an analysis of the quality of urban runoff from various land uses by remote-sensing and GIS technology coupled with hydrological and chemical monitoring. The study areas were located in the cities of Herzliya and Ra′anana, in Israel′s coastal plain, where extensive urbanization has occurred over the last 30years. Land uses in urban basins were analysed; rain and runoff were measured and sampled at measurement stations representing different land uses (residential, industrial, commercial and roads). The aim was to analyse uses by different remote-sensing and GIS techniques, to evaluate the quality of urban storm water from various land uses and to verify a method for predicting the impact of urban land uses on the quantity and quality of urban storm water. The quality of urban storm water from residential areas was generally very high, and the water is suitable for reuse or direct recharge into the local aquifer. In light of the serious state of the Israeli water sector and the large amounts of unused runoff produced by Israel′s cities, together with the high quality of urban storm water drained from the residential areas, it is important to exploit this water source.