Drinking Water Quality

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are by-products of water disinfection that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Led by Nitzan Sagie, an MD–PhD candidate at NEHRI, and conducted in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Health, this nationwide study analyzed more than 16,000 drinking water samples collected across Israel between 2015 and 2024. THM concentrations varied substantially by region and season and were strongly influenced by the type of water source. Areas relying mainly on desalinated water had consistently low THM levels, while increased use of surface water was associated with higher concentrations. The findings suggest that blending desalinated, groundwater, and surface water can reduce population exposure to THMs and support evidence-based water management and public health policies (Sagie et al., 2026).