How Is The Water Industry In Israel Faring?

In Israel, the average annual precipitation (rainfall) is around 1.2 billion cubic meters, while the average annual water consumption is around 2.2 billion cubic meters. Israel has managed to bridge this gap in water consumption due to advancements in their water industry, such as water desalination, water purification, and efficient water transport systems. Approximately eighty percent of the total wastewater in Israel is purified and reused for agricultural purposes, which is the highest reclamation rate in the world. These efforts are only made possible through cooperation and teamwork between the Israeli government’s agencies and Israeli companies, by sharing their knowledge and resources to carry out extensive local water projects in areas where water shortages are prevalent, which is ultimately causing Israel to become a superpower in the water industry. Unlike several countries in its surrounding regions, Israeli citizens enjoy a constant and very reliable supply of portable water, with an adequate supply available for crops and agriculture. Israel has been doing a great job in maintaining its reputation as a leader in the agricultural are irrigation sector due to its development of the drip irrigation method which was invented in Israel in the 1960s. Today, Israel has further extended its reputation as a leader in dealing with water shortages, and water research and development.

Due to Israel’s great successful strategies in dealing with its own water shortage problems, the World Bank has agreed to assist in the introduction and encouragement of exporting Israeli water-related technologies to developing countries in need. In addition, Israel has also established a national plan for the advancement of the water industry and the renewable energy industry, which has been led by the Ministry of Economy and other governmental bodies. The goal of this plan is to further develop human resources within the field of water-related technology, support related academic endeavors and research, implement new effective water technologies in local markets, and assist in the further development of Israeli companies located around the world. Currently, Israel is exporting roughly US $2 billion per year in water technologies.

Numerous technological water processes have aided Israel in developing world-class technologies such as drip irrigation to improve the efficiency of flood irrigation, desalination to provide around eighty percent of Israel’s domestic and municipal water supply, remote osmosis technologies to improve process engineering, and electric tankless water heaters are very efficient. However, Israel’s technology industry is not alone responsible for these developments, it is also a product of maintenance expenses financed by tariffs paid by water users. The current tariff is around US $2.55 per cubic meter for most water users and has a four point five percent subsidy. This fairly high water tariff provides a good sized amount of revenue for Israel’s water utilities, and also a strong profit motive for companies whose technology and processes can further reduce water use and increase water production.

In conclusion, the water industry in Israel has been very effective and has become a world leader in this industry. However, this success is not only caused by technological advances but also by the cooperation between the government and water companies, which has lead to the financing, and encouragement for improved water technologies and processes. How Israel is operating its domestic water industry at home, is setting the benchmark for countries internationally in how they should handle their water-related affairs.