Israel Water Crisis Management

Today we are looking at Israel water desalination and wastewater-treatment plant has brought smart technologies and policies together. Israel has resolved its water crisis! By utilizing smart water management and advanced water technology.

It provides the desalinated Mediterranean water at the largest plant seawater desalination. Israel has been ahead of the water crisis by opening deep its pocket and brainpower to stay ahead of the worsening worldwide water crisis.

Five years ago, in a deep drought crisis, the country has invented and implemented practical solutions to an ongoing problem.

“It is a never-ending story,” says Yossi Yaacoby, chief of staff to the CEO of Mekorot, Israel’s national water carrier. Yaacoby formerly headed WaTech, Mekorot’s innovation arm. With climate change he explains, Israel’s October-to-March rainy season has been reduced to a handful of torrentially rainy days, causing most of the precious liquid to be lost to runoff. The North’s waterways are no longer an abundant trickle-down source for much of the country; the Sea of Galilee is approaching its lowest-ever level. This is why we can’t depend on rain. Even in winter we need to irrigate. And it’s not only in Israel; it is happening everywhere,” says Yaacoby.

It has become a focus since 2005 wastewater reclamation and seawater desalination have become the primary solution for adequate supply. 2.1 billion cubic meters annually to Israeli households, industry and agriculture.

About 31 percent of irrigation water originates from wastewater treated at more than 150 plants. Treated brackish water is supplied from 45 plants for both agricultural and non-agricultural demands. About 60 to 80% of Israeli’s municipal water, flows from large coastal desal plant in Sorek, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Palmachim and Hadera.

Five years into a severe drought, it’s more accurate to say that Israel is constantly inventing and implementing practical solutions to a problem that is not entirely solvable.

“It is a never-ending story,” says Yossi Yaacoby, chief of staff to the CEO of Mekorot, Israel’s national water carrier. Yaacoby formerly headed WaTech, Mekorot’s innovation arm.

Due to climate change, he explains, Israel’s October-to-March rainy season has been reduced to a handful of torrentially rainy days, causing most of the precious liquid to be lost to runoff. The North’s waterways are no longer an abundant trickle-down source for much of the country; the Sea of Galilee is approaching its lowest-ever level.

“This is why we can’t depend on rain. Even in winter we need to irrigate. And it’s not only in Israel; it is happening everywhere,” says Yaacoby.Since 2005, wastewater reclamation and seawater desalination have become key in assuring an adequate supply — 2.1 billion cubic meters annually — to Israeli households, industry and agriculture.

Some 31 percent of irrigation water originates from wastewater treated at more than 150 plants. Treated brackish water (not as salty as seawater) is supplied from 45 plants for both agricultural and non-agricultural needs.

Sixty to 80% of Israel’s municipal water, adjusted according to season and real-time demand, flows from large coastal desal plants in Sorek, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Palmachim and Hadera.

 “In 2014, we thought we had enough [desalinated water] capacity, 600 million cubic meters, that it didn’t matter how much [rain] God will supply in the winter,” says Yaacoby. “That was a mistake. We are lacking 100 million to 200 million cubic meters of water per year in Israel these days.”

Two more desalination plants are to be completed in the next few years. “Altogether, in 2025 we will be getting 1.1 billion cubic meters of desalinated water,” Yaacoby says.

IDE Developed a proprietary technology that minimize costs and environmental impact.

Instead of using chemicals which might present an environmental problem when the brine is discharged back to the sea. The company uses chemical-free biological and physical process customized for each installation.

This process has proven to be beneficial and ecofriendly in the same time. It is another example on how to work together to get to the right solution.