“The Israeli Water Model is One of the World’s Most Suitable Solutions for Addressing the Climate Crisis”

Ravid Levy, co-chairman of the WATEC Israel 2024 conference, where Israel’s circular water economy will be discussed, stated: “The application of Israeli experience, either partially or fully, depending on the specific circumstances, can significantly help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and thus contribute to the global effort to combat the climate crisis.”

The Israeli water model is one of the most effective in the world for addressing the climate crisis. This was highlighted by Ravid Levy, co-chairman of the WATEC Israel 2024 conference and head of Israel’s water innovation community, WaterEdge.IL. The conference, scheduled to be held in Jerusalem from September 16-19, will present Israel’s circular water economy model, which aims to break the vicious cycle between the depletion of global water resources and the worsening climate crisis.

Experts from Israel and around the world, along with entrepreneurs and investors in water technologies and related fields, are expected to participate in the conference. The theme of the event, “Nurturing Resilience, Fostering Innovation in Water Management,” will focus on the planning, responsible management, and protection of water resources in Israel and worldwide. The conference takes place against the backdrop of a worsening global water crisis, with significant implications for agriculture, food, and health security for billions of people.

Ravid Levy will co-chair the conference alongside Oded Distel, who is involved with two companies in the water sector. The organizing committee includes Oded Rahav, founder and CEO of the Dead Sea Guardians; Eyal Lavi, manager of the Water Industries association at the Association of Manufacturers; Semion Brover, CEO of the Sorek desalination plant; and Ran Suckeveriene, head of the Faculty of Water Engineering at Kinneret College in the Jordan Valley.

According to Oded Distel, co-chairman of the WATEC Israel 2024 conference, “Israel’s circular water economy was born out of necessity due to water scarcity from the early days of the state’s establishment. Without this holistic and advanced approach, climate changes affecting the world and the Mediterranean region could have led to a severe crisis in Israel’s water sector. We see this crisis escalating in neighboring countries. The solution lies in smart planning and management, intelligent use of technology, public engagement, and elevating the issue on the political, social, and economic agendas.”

At the conference, experts from Israel and around the world will present strategies, concepts, and dilemmas related to addressing water challenges, even under the constraints of the climate crisis. The Israeli circular water model includes several complementary elements: reliance on seawater desalination, the use of desalinated water for urban needs, a record rate of wastewater treatment, and a high rate of purified water being redirected to agriculture.

Israel produces about 600 million cubic meters of treated water annually, using natural gas. Desalinated water supplies 92% of Israel’s urban population, and nearly 100% of wastewater in Israel is treated, with 87% being channeled into reservoirs for agricultural use. This ensures a steady water supply for agriculture, even as the climate crisis affects the frequency and amount of rainfall. Israel has also developed a unique capability to prevent water loss in transmission systems, and there is widespread public awareness of the need to conserve water.

Ravid Levy added: “The Israeli water model is one of the most suitable solutions in the world for addressing the climate crisis. It is both desirable and important for it to serve as a source of inspiration for other countries, regions, and cities. The application of Israeli experience, either partially or fully, depending on the specific circumstances, can significantly help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and thus contribute to the global effort to combat the climate crisis.”

Credit: Yariv Kristal