Made in Israel: Water

Summary

Israel, facing severe water scarcity, has ingeniously transformed its challenges into opportunities through innovative water management. Leveraging seawater reverse osmosis, they've made the Mediterranean Sea a primary water source, with 450 million cubic meters of drinkable water produced daily. Israel also excels in wastewater recycling, reusing 80%, and employs drip irrigation, increasing crop yields by 50% with 40% less water. Additionally, they've pioneered fish farming in deserts using underground salty water and educate other countries on these techniques, aiming to alleviate global water and food shortages.

Takeaways

• 🏜️ Israel faces significant water scarcity, with over half of its land being desert and limited natural water resources.
• 💧 The Sea of Galilee and two underground aquifers are the primary sources of drinking water in Israel.
• 🚰 In 1953, Israel initiated the construction of the national water carrier to distribute water from the Sea of Galilee across the country.
• 🌊 Israel has been successful in desalination, with the Mediterranean Sea becoming a major source of drinking water through seawater reverse osmosis.
• 🌐 Israeli water technology, including desalination, is now utilized in over 40 countries globally.
• 💧 Israel is on track to become a net water exporter by the end of the decade, with plans to supply water to Jordan for Syrian refugees.
• 🌱 Israeli company Talad Technologies has developed plastic trays to collect dew, reducing water usage for agriculture by up to 50%.
• 🔄 Israel recycles 80% of its wastewater, significantly more than any other country, using ultraviolet light for purification.
• 🐟 Innovative aquaculture in the desert uses underground warm salty water to farm saltwater fish like tilapia, seabass, and baramundi.
• 🌱 Drip irrigation, invented by Simka Blas, has revolutionized agriculture in Israel, saving water, and increasing crop yields by up to 50% with less environmental impact.

Q & A

What are the main sources of drinking water in Israel?

The main sources of drinking water in Israel are the Sea of Galilee and two underground aquifers.

What is the National Water Carrier in Israel, and when was it started?

The National Water Carrier is a system of pipelines, canals, and reservoirs that carry water from the Sea of Galilee to the rest of Israel. It was started in 1953.

How does Israel address its water scarcity issue?

Israel addresses its water scarcity by developing water technology, desalinating seawater, and innovating in water conservation and reuse.

What is the significance of the Mediterranean Sea to Israel's water supply?

The Mediterranean Sea is significant to Israel's water supply because Israel desalinates water from it, and by the end of next year, the majority of Israel's drinking water will originate from the Mediterranean Sea.

How much drinkable water does Israel produce daily through seawater reverse osmosis?

Israel produces 450 million cubic meters of drinkable water a day through seawater reverse osmosis.

What innovative method does Israel use to collect water from the air?

Israel uses plastic trays developed by Talad Technologies to collect dew from the air, similar to how ancient Israelites used stones.

What percentage of wastewater does Israel recycle, and how does this compare to other countries?

Israel recycles 80% of its wastewater, which is significantly more than the closest competitor, Spain, which recycles 10%.

How does Israel use the warm salty water from underground?

Israel uses the warm salty water from underground to build fish farms, which are ideal for raising saltwater fish like tilapia, seabass, and baramundi.

What is drip irrigation and how did it originate?

Drip irrigation is a method of irrigation that delivers water directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes and emitters. It originated from the observation of a tree being watered by a leak in an underground pipe, which led to the invention by engineer Simcha Blass.

How has drip irrigation impacted crop yield and water usage in Israel?

Drip irrigation has allowed for a 50% increase in crop yield while using 40% less water, making it a highly effective method for water conservation and increased agricultural productivity.

What is the slogan of the company Neta, and what does it represent?

The slogan of the company Neta is 'grow more with less,' which represents the efficiency and sustainability of drip irrigation in increasing agricultural yield while using less water.