From Water Stressed to Water Secure
Lessons from Israel's Water Reuse Approach
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2022 U.S. DELEGATION SUMMARY/g f
March 2023\i g,
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Message from EPA's National Program Leader forWater Reuse,
Sharon Nappier
From left: Sharon Nappier (EPA) and Pat Sinicropi (WateReuse Association) at Intel semiconductor plant;
Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project; Delegation Group at the Ein Gedi date plantation, which
irrigates with reuse water from the Ein Bokek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Photo credits (left to right):
EPA, EPA, and Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry
"Recently\ I was part of a U.S. delegation to Israel that included 39 water leaders from utilities, state
agencies, federal agencies, and other areas of the water sector. We had the pleasure of visiting Israel
to learn first-hand about the innovative approaches the country is taking to ensure adequate and
resilient water supplies, despite their arid climate and growing population. The sites we visited
included the Sorek Water Desalination Plant, one of the world's largest reverse osmosis desalination
facilities¦, and the Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project, which supplies treated wastewater for
agricultural irrigation.
My colleagues and I left Israel with a myriad of takeaways and technological insights to bring back to
our communities and workplaces. Examples include how Israel continues to mitigate the potential
long-term impacts of reuse water on crop and soil quality, approaches for tightening non-revenue
water losses> and Israel's ability to quickly adapt to changing needs. This trip report provides a
summary of our experiences and lessons learned.
We are grateful for the continued partnership between our hosts and co-organizers: the WateReuse
Association, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Water Authority, Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural Research Organization, Ministry of Health, Israel
Export Institute, and WaterEdge.IL."
WRAP ACTION PARTNERS
United States: EPA, WateReuse Association, USDA, FDA
Israel: Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Economy and Industry,
Water Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural
Research Organization, Ministry of Health, Israel Export Institute, WaterEdge.IL
2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1):
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Background/Purpose
After drastic infrastructure, regulatory, and institutional reform, Israel
transformed from one of the world's most water-stressed countries to a water-
secure country, becoming a global leader in agricultural water reuse. Today,
nearly 90 percent of Israel's treated wastewater is reused for irrigation
purposes. While the United States currently reuses a much smaller fraction of
the nation's wastewater, communities in different states are increasingly
implementing various water reuse approaches for agriculture, industry, and
even for augmenting potable supplies. In recent years, the United States has
brought increased focus on water reuse as a tool for water resilience through
its National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP), which is a growing collaboration
between more than 130 organizations. The goal of the collaborative is to make
water reuse more accessible to states and communities and ultimately increase
the amount of water reused nationally to meet increasing demands.
National Water Reuse
Action Plan
National Water Reuse
Action Plan cover.
Water reuse is of mutual interest and benefit to both Israel and the United States. In 2022, Israel hosted
a delegation of government participants and water sector leaders from the United States to promote
bilateral exchange of scientific, technological, and policy information and share examples of real-world
implementation. The trip to Israel, originally planned to occur in 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19
pandemic. In 2021, during continued delays, planners organized a series of virtual tours on water reuse
in Israel covering the science, technologies, and policies needed to further agricultural reuse. The
delegation was made possible through an existing Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU)1 between Israel and the United States to
"improve institutional capacity through technical cooperation on
environmental management" and is associated with WRAP Action
11.1.
This report provides a summary of the delegation's activities, key
observations, and other insights to share with interested parties
throughout the United States. Insights and quotes from participants
are presented in insets throughout this report without attribution.
"Israel's experience gives
me hope about what can
be accomplished through
state and regional
cooperation."
Delegate from a wastewater
utility in the United States
1 To promote bilateral cooperation on environmental issues, EPA and the Israeli Ministry of Environmental
Protection renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2018 to "improve institutional capacity
through technical cooperation on environmental management."
~ A 2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1): Background/Purpose 1
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Delegation Activities and Site Visits
Thirty-nine representatives from the U.S. water sector, including utilities, industry, states, EPA, and
USDA, traveled to Israel as part of the delegation from October 30 to November 3, 2022.2 The
delegation had two key objectives for the trip:
Increase U.S.-lsrael practical collaboration (on the federal and state level) on water reuse policies,
scientific research, methods and technologies, and implementation.
Increase the sustainability, security, and resilience of the United States' water resources by sharing
knowledge and information about policies, practices, and technologies.
During the trip, the U.S. delegation engaged with Israeli water counterparts through informal
networking discussions; technical presentations; and site visits to water treatment, research, and other
facilities in Israel to learn about many aspects of Israel's approach to water management overall and
water reuse specifically. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with water technology providers
seeking to fill various supply needs, including water storage and distribution, data management and
analytics, and cyber security. During site visits and facility tours, participants were able to see emerging
and established treatment technologies in use and ask questions about real-world performance in
relation to their own projects.
Main Discussion Forums and Participating Israeli Organizations
Water Policy and Strategy
Israel's overall approach to water reuse and coordination
efforts between the different ministries and departments in
Israel.
Israeli Water Authority, Ministry of
Environmental Protection, Ministry of
Health, the Water Authority Council
(coordinated with Ministry of Health)
Water Reuse in Agriculture
Scientific background for water reuse in agriculture and the
implementation of best practices and lessons learned.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Volcani Institute for
Agricultural Research Organization
Water Technologies and Implementation
Discussions with technology providers on topics such as
sewer networks, decentralized systems (industrial
agriculturalmunicipal), effluent distribution systems, water
analytics and cybersecurity, and wastewater treatment
technologies.
Multiple leading Israeli water technology
providers hosted by Ministry of Economy
and Industry, Israel Export Institute, and
WaterEdge.IL at the Peres Center for
Peace and Innovation; visit to Shafdan
hosted by Mekorot; visit to an Intel
Corporation facility hosted by Intel
: The agenda and list of participants are included as Attachments 1 and 2, respectively.
^ 2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1):
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Delegation Activities and Site Visits 2
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Treatment Facility Tours Given by Israeli Colleagues
Sorek Wastewater Treatment Plant
Located near Jerusalem, the Sorek plant is the third
largest wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Israel.
Treated water flows into the Sorek seasonal creek>
where it is then used for irrigation.
View of treatment units
at the Sorek WWTP.
Photo: EPA.
Sorek Desalination Plant
One of the largest reverse osmosis desalination plants in
the world, the Sorek Desalination Plant utilizes unique
vertical installation for a space-efficient footprint. The
plant provides potable water for over 1.5 million people.
View of vertical reverse osmosis cylinders
at the Sorek Desalination Plant.
Photo: EPA.
Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project
An agricultural cooperative association that provides
treated wastewater effluent for irrigating agricultural
crops through an integrated regional distribution
system.
View of a distribution facility and water storage associated
with the Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project.
Photo: Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project.
Ein Shemer/I'ron WWTP
Treats wastewater from several rural towns and villages
in the Menashe Regional Council. Tertiary treatment
includes membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and
chlorination. The high level of treatment allows water to
be used to irrigate various crops. Sludge is treated to
create class-A compost fertilizer.
View of clarifiers at the I'ron WWTP.
Photo: EPA.
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Delegation Activities and Site Visits 3
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Shafdan Water Recycling Facility
The largest water recycling facility in Israel and a key
water reuse research and development center. It is a
model of extensive tertiary treatment, including
saturated aquifer treatment, and an example of
cooperation between localities which enabled the
infrastructure for wastewater treatment and
transmission up to 90 miles.
View of soil aquifer treatment at the
Shafdan Water Recycling Facility. Photo:EPA.
Meniv Rishon Utility Facility
The hands-on facility tour of Meniv Rishon, a large and
innovative water utility corporation, spanned the core
functions of water regulation, budgeting, and security.
Delegates at the Meniv Rishon Utility Facility tour.
Photo: Meniv Rishon.
Intel Semiconductors Plant
One of the leading exporters in Israel's high-tech
industry, Intel presented information on water use and
reuse as part of the manufacturing processoverall
water management methodologyand sustainability
goals.
Tour at the Intel Semiconductors Plant.
Photo: Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry.
Ein Bokek Hotels Treatment and Reuse Facilities
Ein Bokek, a secluded hotel complex located next to the
Dead Sea, has a dedicated WWTP to produce effluent
for two different systemsone for irrigating public
gardens at the Dead Sea recreational area and one for
irrigating a palm grove on Kibbutz Ein Gedi.
View of the clarifier at the Ein Bokek treatment and reuse
facilities. Photo: EPA.
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Figure 1. Locations of facilities visited.
Source: Ministry of Environmental Protection, Internationa! Relation Division.
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Key Observations from the Delegation
During the trip, members of the Israeli team provided insights into Israel's overall water resources
management strategy, including the key drivers, history, mindsets, research, and future goals. The
following sections summarize some of this information and highlight observations from the delegation
about successful Israeli water reuse strategies.
Overview of Israel's Approach to Water Management
Israel experiences an arid to semi-arid climate, and effective water
management has been a central focus since its establishment of
statehood in 1948.3 In 1959, Israel's Water Law established
government control over water resources and prohibited private
ownership of all water resources, including water beneath privately
owned land. In the 1990s and 2000s, water supply crises caused by
droughts drove Israel to develop both seawaterand treated
wastewater as viable, alternative freshwater sources to ensure ample
water supplies and resilience to drought. In 2007, the Israel Water
Authority and the Water Authority Council consolidated into one
autonomous government agency, combining water planning, allocation, and regulatory responsibilities
to ensure robust oversight of Israel's water supply system as the population and economy continued to
flourish.
Israel is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Jordan River to the east. Because most
precipitation typically falls in the northern part of Israel, in the past, a primary water supply method was
to use the National Water Carrier aqueduct to transport water from
north to south. Israel's water supply originally comprised surface
water and groundwater, though desalinated seawater now makes up
approximately 90 percent of Israel's domestic freshwater supply.4 The
production of desalinated water has enabled more of Israel's water
supply to be transported from the western, coastal part of the
country to other parts of Israel. As the country's population continues
to grow and water consumption rises, more desalination facilities will
be built to meet the demand. In addition, Israel has dedicated its
treated municipal wastewater to agricultural use, allowing for higher
nitrogen and biological oxygen demand levels. This level of quality fits
the crops' needs and reduces the cost of raw water production. These
systems employ additional treatments to ensure the water is suitable
for agriculture uses. For example, the desalination plants add an
additional reverse osmosis step to remove salts, total dissolved solids,
and boron.
"There is great energy
around the water sector in
Israel. There is a clear
understanding from the
citizens of the importance
of water and the fact that
water is life."
Delegate from the U.S.
private sector
"If there is a will, there is
a way. Israel wants to
grow their population and
one key component of
that growth is adequate
water supply. Israeli
motto: if you need
water, we will make
more. They have a very
ambitious goal of
providing all their drinking
water from ocean
desalination plants in the
future."
Delegate from a wastewater
utility in the United States
3 One source of information on this history of Israel's water management is the 2015 book, Let There Be Water:
Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World, bySeth M.Siegel.
4 Figure 2 on the following page provides an overview of the changes in Israel's water supply since the late 1990s.
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Several key factors have led to Israel's successful expansion of water
reuse foragricultural purposes, many of which cannot be easily
replicated everywhere in the United States, First, because of its size
and governance structure, Israel has a coordinated national approach
to water management with less fragmentation among regulatory
agencies than in the United States. Second, water rights are not
assigned to individuals, as in parts of the western United States;
rather, as mentioned earlier, no one person or entity can possess
private ownership over water in Israel, In many parts of the western
United States, many farmers and other entities (including local
governments) hold water rights, which often disincentivizes the use of recycled water. Third, many
farms and other agricultural lands in Israel are proximate to urban centers, which is less typical in the
United States. Finally, in Israel, use of recycled water for food crop irrigation is widely accepted by both
farmers and the public and subsidized by the government, resulting in a much cheaper cost structure for
reused water and an abundant, nutrient-rich water supply that ensures a full growing season. While
reuse is becoming more common in the United States, its acceptance and implementation varies by
application.
In addition, the level of collaboration between the main parts of the water sector in Israelthe national
water company, water utilities and providers, regulators, municipalities, water technology providers,
and agricultural producersis quite high. Israel's approach to solving water problems embraces holistic
thinking and engagement which enables a true integrated approach to water management.
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1<&L -jpO6, ipO'6 -jO'V'1- i&b aoT-°
Figure 2. Graph showing changes in Israel's water supply, in million cubic meters.
Source: Israel Water Authority.
"Israel has approached
attaining a more
sustainable and
resilient water supply
through a combination of
conservation, non-potable
reuse, and desalination."
Delegate from a U.S.
nonprofit association
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Successful Israeli Water Management Strategies
Regulations and Relationships
The regulations, policies, and formal collaborations that the State
of Israel has in place form the foundation upon which it has built a
successful, innovative approach to managing its water resources.
Israeli regulators and the regulated community have built trust
among recycled water users and apply adaptive management
approaches to build projects with successful outcomes.
Israel has established national water quality standards for the
reuse oftreated municipal wastewater. These standards consider
important aspects such as public health, plant health (including
vegetables for human consumption), long-term soil health, and
aquifer sustainability.
Israel has several research institutes that work to improve
treatment technologies to reduce energy use, improve effluent
quality and soil health, and the lower the cost of treatment. For
example, agricultural scientists at the Volcani Center are
continuing research efforts to better understand and address any
adverse impacts of long-term use of recycled water on soil and
plant health.
Treatment Approaches and Technologies
Desalinated seawater makes up more than 90 percent of Israel's
domestic water supply. In Israel, desalination has a positive
impact on integrated water management, as reflected by the
reduction in wastewater salinity and resulting improved water
quality for agricultural reuse.
Israel's "fit for purpose" treatment approaches ensure water
treatment is designed to the appropriate level forthe intended
application or product, which can reduce the need foradditional
unit treatments and associated energy, operations, and
maintenance costs.
o In general, wastewater used forirrigation in Israel should
receive tertiary treatment, but there are cases where a lower
level of treatment is allowed, even for food crops. For
example, secondary biological treatment can be used when
the water is not expected to directly touch the food crop (e.g.,
forthe irrigation of dates in the Dead Sea area).
Technologies used in Israel of particular interest to the U.S.
delegates included those that increase product water recovery
"One of the 'building
blocks' to reducing
demand is the public's
understanding and
acceptance and raising
the motivation for action.
In recent decades, Israel
invested in public
education, leading to
behavioral change and
significant water savings."
Delegate from an Israeli
regulatory agency
Purple pipes for reuse
transmission at the Emek Hefer
Water Reclamation Project
facility.
Photo: EPA.
"We need to further
support innovation, try
new things, and
embrace the
challenges as
opportunities. Utilities
are inherently risk
adverse. How can we
change that mindset and
get leadership/public buy-
in to advance
water/wastewater
technology?"
Delegate from a wastewater
utility in the United States
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efficiencies with lower energy requirements, such as membrane
bioreactors (MBR), microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and reverse
osmosis. Of note:
o The Sorek desalination plant uses 16-inch membranes instead
of 8-inch membranes, and these membranes are set up
vertically (pictured right). This configuration has reduced the
plant's footprint, reduced energy consumption, and made
maintenance easier.
o The Intel semiconductor plant employs MBR and reverse
osmosis to achieve high-quality water for reuse onsite.
o The Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project uses floating solar
panels and biogasfrom wastewater sludge to produce energy
onsite. The solar panels also reduce evaporation losses and
thus improve water quality.
o Thermal imaging of agricultural lands is used to evaluate
water usage/need.
Water Loss Reduction
Though not specific to water reuse, Israel views the reduction of water losses as a critical part of its
overall water resources management strategy. Water losses and non-revenue water can be caused
by water leakages; old or inaccurate meters; and using water at a higher pressure than necessary,
which could lead to pipeline breaks. Reducing the loss of non-revenue water (water that no one paid
for) can help avoid or delay major expenditures for a new water supply, such as another
desalination plant.
Israel identifies and mitigates water losses and gaps by measuring the recorded water usage by
consumers versus the total supply. In some areas, Israel has successfully decreased non-revenue
water losses to less than 5 percent. Israel has realized that it can be more cost-effective and energy-
efficient to tackle non-revenue water before investing in new infrastructure.
Israel has found the accuracy of measuring equipment (e.g., flow meters) deteriorates with time and
frequent replacement of measuring equipment can address revenue losses caused by inaccurate
data. For example, Meniv Rishon Water Corporation calibrates and, if necessary, replaces water
meters every five to six years (a shorter life cycle than most U.S. regulatory standards require).
U.S. Delegate Feed back on Potential Collaboration Opportunities
The value of collaboration and partnerships emerged as a key theme throughout the visit, with Israeli
speakers highlighting the importance of coordination between water providers, technology providers,
regulators, municipal water corporations, researchers, and the agricultural community. Conversely, U.S.-
based participants noted that working in isolation stymies adoption of integrated water management
approaches, including water reuse, and they were inspired to identify strategies for fostering a more
productive and collaborative relationship among key stakeholders (e.g., utilities, the public, end users,
Vertical reverse osmosis
technology is a space-efficient
treatment option in use at the
Sorek Desalination Plant.
Photo: EPA,
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regulators, vendors). Below are a few examples of ideas delegates
shared for potential future collaborations.
The 2018 MOU between the U.S. EPA and the Israeli Ministry of
Environment Protection is in place until October 2023.
Several U.S. utilities invited Israeli experts to visit them and advise
on ways to increase agricultural reuse in their regions.
Israel expressed interest in evaluating potable reuse opportunities
and in sending a delegation to the United States as more domestic
experience is established.
Data generated from Israel's long-term use of treated wastewater
for agricultural applications provides potentially useful
information that could help inform future risk assessments.
State delegates were interested in how Israel integrated emergency water supply planning and
equipment to better prepare for and respond to a water supply disruption. For example, Meniv
Rishon Water Corporation's emergency reserve includes equipment and procedures for rapid
regional distribution of fresh water from the supplier to nearly 300,000 residents. Equipment
includes large-volume portable, containers (2,000 and 5,000 liters) for regional allocation of water
and one-gallon containers for end users. Under a detailed procedure, a water distribution station
can be set up within 20 minutes, and one small warehouse can store equipment supplying about 80
distribution stations.
From left: State representatives
from Texas, Oklahoma, and
Maryland with EPA at theSorek
Desalination Plant.
Photo: Delegation member.
Closing ihoughts
Over five days, the U.S. delegation of 39 water leaders met with more than 150 Israeli experts and
visited some of the premier sites illustrating Israel's water history and continuing journey. The
delegation gathered valuable knowledge to bring back to the United States and forged stronger
relationships within the delegation and with Israeli counterparts. As a direct result of the delegation,
there is now an active online network of delegates and Israeli experts to continue the conversation and
promote collaborative approaches to tackling future water and food security challenges in the US and
abroad. Finally, Israel and the United States are now proposing a regional mission under the auspices of
the Negev Forum Working Group on Food and Water Security.
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Closing Thoughts 10
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Attachment 1: Israel Delegation Agenda
Saturday (October 29)
Arrive in Tel Aviv.
Delegates' introductory meeting.
Sunday (October 30; Jerusalem)
Welcome Remarks
Jerusalem, Generi Building
Ministry of Environmental Protection
Ministry of Economy and Industry
Israeli Water Authority
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
WateReuse Association
Water Policy and Strategy
Meetings with:
Israeli Water Authority: the use of effluent and treated water within the Integrated Water Resources
Management national strategy.
Ministry of Environmental Protection: environmental aspects of the use of effluent and treated
water.
Ministry of Health: sanitary and health aspects of the use of effluent and treated water.
Jerusalem: Old City Tour
Site Visit: Sorek WWTP
Sorek WWTP uses an activated sludge method to treat 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater from the
western drainage basin of Jerusalem daily. Due to its unique location in a narrow stream and the treated
water discharging into the river (i.e., not directly to the agricultural supply systems), the facility
demonstrates technological, planning, and operational challenges.
The site visit will include the following topics: the municipal wastewater collection system, the effluent
treatment system, economics of wastewater treatment, the effect of social characteristics on the design
and operation of wastewater collection systems (e.g., before weekends and on holidays), examination
and use of advanced technologies in wastewater treatment, and upgrading and expanding
infrastructures while maintaining operation.
Monday (October 31; Beit Dagan, Rishon LeZion, Tel Aviv)
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) Volcani Institute for Agricultural Research, Extension Service
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Agenda
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Topics: scientific background for water reuse in agriculture; implementation of best practices of treated
water in agriculture.
Welcome notes from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's deputy director general,
Ms. Irena Etinger Wainshtein.
Introduction to the Volcani Center: Prof Uri Yermiyahu.
Uses of marginal water for irrigation in Israel (e.g., saline water, effluent): Dr. Alon Ben-Gal.
Scientific insights from the use of treated wastewater for irrigation: Dr. Shmuel Assouline.
Precision agriculture and artificial intelligence: Dr. Victor Alchanatis.
Questions, discussion, opportunities for cooperation, and summary.
Site Visit: Sorek Desalination Plant
The Sorek Desalination Plant is one of the largest desalination plants of its kind (reverse osmosis) in the
world. It provides clean, potable water for over 1.5 million people (capacity: 624,000 cubic meters per
day), comprising 20 percent of the municipal water demand in Israel.
The production is characterized by low salt concentration, which allows the plant, after municipal use, to
treat and reuse the water for agriculture.
The facility was established using the build-operate-transfer project delivery method for a period of 25
years.
The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation
The Israeli Innovation Center.
Meetings with leading Israeli water technology providers (e.g., Israel Export Institute, WaterEdge.IL
community); break out to group discussions regarding the following:
o Digital water technologies and cybersecurity.
o Decentralized systems: industrial, agriculture, municipal.
o Advanced effluent treatment, distribution, and reuse.
Tuesday (November 1; Emek Hefer, Maayan Zvi)
Site Visit: Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project
The Emek Hefer effluent plant is an agricultural cooperative association that provides effluent for
irrigating agricultural crops. The effluent is discharged from the WWTP into a regional reservoir system
that allows for balance between the rate of production at the WWTP and agricultural irrigation
demands.
In addition to supplying effluent foragricultural irrigation, the facility also incorporates additional water
sources, such as groundwater contaminated with nitrates and flood waters.
The Emek Hefer system is integrated with a regional system that can receive and transfer effluent to
neighboring facilities to maximize the benefits of the effluent.
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The discussion will focus on the engineering, organizational and general structure, water quality issues
and regulations, interactions with neighboring regional systems, and integration of water systems and
green energy generation systems.
Ein Shemer/I'ron WWTP
The Ein Shemer/I'ron WWTP treats wastewater from several rural towns and villages in the Menashe
Regional Council. Tertiary treatment includes MBR and chlorination. The high level of treatment allows
the water to be used to irrigate various crops.
In addition, sludge is mixed with clippings and goes through a process to neutralize pathogens, turning it
into class-A compost fertilizer.
Pilot research and development (presentation):
Demonstration of full-scale membrane active biofilm reactor (MABR) modules that provide high-
quality secondary effluents with minimal energy requirements.
Demonstration of pilot-scale and mesocosm reservoir configurations for removal of bacterial
pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes from the MABR effluent.
Demonstration of onsite lysimeters to evaluate the impact of treated wastewater irrigation on
microbial and chemical parameters in soil, roots, and produce.
Quality monitoring (presentation):
Demonstration of a wastewater intelligence solution that supports public health and the
environment using wastewater data analysis.
Meetings with Water Technology Providers
Wednesday (November 2; Rishon Lezion, KiryatGat)
Site Visit: Shafdan Water Recycling Facility, the largest water recycling plant in Israel
Aerated activated sludge and saturated aquifer treatment (SAT) as a model for extensive tertiary
treatment for high-quality effluent.
Aspects of managing insertion basins in the SAT method.
Dealing with the utilization of the capacity of the SAT system and alternatives that will ensure similar
quality.
Transferring treated water and irrigating remote arid areas.
Issues in sludge treatment and its suitability for use as a fertilizer and agricultural soil improver.
Cooperation between local authorities to establish infrastructure for wastewater transmission and
treatment.
National wastewater reuse research and development center, selected technologies presentations.
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Agenda
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Site Visit: Meniv Rishon, Rishon Lezion Water Corporation
The many facets of Meniv Rishon's water management: A hands-on tour spanning the core functions of
water regulation, budgeting, and security; innovative, elegant water solutions for irrigation and
recreation; and agile management in emergency scenarios.
Meniv Rishon is one of Israel's largest and most innovative water utility corporations. It has achieved the
highest water self-sufficiency in Israel (approximately 50 percent), maintains a record-low 5 percent
annual water loss rate, and has scored high on Israel Water Authority's crisis readiness assessment.
Site Visit: Intel Semiconductors Plant
Intel is one of the leading exporters in Israel's high-tech industry. The company began its operations in
Israel in 1974 as the first research and development Intel site outside the United States, and in 1985
Intel opened its first manufacturing site outside the United States in Israel.
The semiconductor manufacturing process requires significant amounts of water for different uses. Intel
views water as a critical component and invests effort in reducing and improving the water technologies
used to treat the incoming water and its wastewater. During the visit to the Intel Lachish site in Kiryat
Gat, we will present an overview of the manufacturing of semiconductors and the water and
wastewater related aspects. The following topics will be addressed:
Intel Israel and its vision regarding water use, water management methodology, and sustainability.
Water use on site and innovation of water modeling.
Water and chemical reduction projects.
Wastewater treatment and recovery (MBR wastewater treatment and reverse osmosis system).
Onsite (cooling towers, scrubbers, soft water) and offsite (agriculture) reuse of effluents.
Piloting of new technologies to reduce the water consumption.
Summary Meeting
Thursday (November 3; Dead Sea and Its Surroundings)
Site Visits: Water Reuse for Agriculture and Gardening in an Arid Climate
Ein Bokek hotels WWTP and water reuse facilities and Ein Gedi date plantation
Ein Bokek is a secluded hotel complex located next to the Dead Sea. There is a dedicated WWTP for the
complex; it deals with seasonality as the amount of wastewater treated correlates with the demand in
hotels. The WWTP creates effluents of different qualities for two different systems. One is for irrigating
the public garden in the hotel complex, and the other is an agricultural system of Kibbutz Ein Gedi for
irrigating a palm grove on the Dead Sea shore.
Masada National Park tour
Closing Meeting
Monica Medina, U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary of Bureau of Oceans and International
Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Tamar Zandberg, Israeli Environmental Protection Minister.
2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1):
Summary Report
Attachment 1: Israel Delegation 14
Agenda
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Attachment 2: U.S. Participant List
Brad Coffey, Group Manager, Water Resource Management, Metropolitan Water District of South
Carolina
Charles Bott, Director of Water Technology and Research, Hampton Roads Sanitation District
Clinton Williams, Soil Physics/Soil Chemistry, USDA
David Pedersen, General Manager, LasVirgenes Municipal Water District
Erika Crespo, Assistant Deputy Director, Water Quality Division, Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality
Erin Messner, Program Manager, American Water Works Association
Eva Steinle-Darling, Water Reuse Technical Practice Director, Carollo Engineers
Getachew Melsew, Senior Manager, Planning, DC Water
Gloria Gray, Chairwoman, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Heather Dyer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Manager, San Bernadino Valley Municipal
Water District
Hunter Adams, Environmental Laboratory Supervisor, City of Wichita Falls, Cypress Environmental
Laboratory
James Dobrowolski, National Program Leader at USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Jamie Safulko, Deputy Director, Engineering, South Platte Renew
Jay Garland, Senior Research Scientist, U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Center for
Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response
Jay Lewitt, Board President, LasVirgenes Municipal Water District
John Kmiec, Director, Tuscon Water, City of Tucson
Jonathan Leiman, Maryland Department of the Environment Water Quality Modeling
Division/Water & Science Administration
Ken Ashford, Principal Public Affairs Representative, Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California
Kobe Nagar, CEO, 374 Water
Marc Battle, Chief Legal and Ethics Officer and EVP, Government and Legal Affairs, DC Water
Mark Kasman, Director, U.S. EPA Office of International Affairs, Office of International and Tribal
Affairs
Matthew Sigler, PMG Executive Director, International Code Council
MayWu, Principal Environmental System Scientist, U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National
Laboratory
Michael Boso, Chief Building and Zoning Official, Grove City Division of Building
2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1): Attachment 2: U.S. Participant List 15
Summary Report
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Nancy Sutley, Senior Assistant General Manager of External and Regulatory Affairs and Chief
Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Patricia Sinicropi, Executive Director, WateReuse Association
Paulina Martinez-Perez, Director, Sweetwater Authority
Pinar Balci, Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Sustainability, New York City Department of
Environmental Protection
Professor Daniel Yeh, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South
Florida
Raj Chavan, Vice President, Senior Product Director for Water and Technical Solutions, Atkins Global
Randy Lee, Director of Operations and Maintenance, Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Rodney Snyder, Senior Agriculture Advisor to the Administrator, U.S. EPA Office of the Administrator
Salvador Lopez Cordova, Chief Environmental Officer, North American Development Bank
Sharon Nappier, National Program Leader for Water Reuse, U.S. EPA Office of Water
Shellie Chard, Director, Water Quality Division, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
Stephen Katz, Market Development Manager, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Steven Bieber, Water Resources Program Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of
Governments
Terry Merrell, Chief Financial Officer, Merrell Bros. Inc.
Timeyin Dafeta, Hyperion Executive Plant Manager, LA Sanitation and Environment
2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1): Attachment 2: U.S. Participant List 16
Summary Report
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Attachment 3: Israeli Organizers and Hosts
Organizing Partnersand Points of Contact
Ministry of Economy and Industry, Foreign Trade Administration, Embassy of Israel to the United
States: Omer Bab, Director of Trade and Regulatory Policy
Ministry of Environmental Protection: Adam Schalimtzek, Head of the International Relations
Division
Israel Water Authority: Danny Greenwald, Senior Deputy Director General for Regulation
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: Smadar Moisa, Director of Projects at the Center for
Foreign Trade and International Cooperation
Agricultural Research Organization (ARO): Professor Uri Yermiyahu, Interim Head of ARO Volcani
Institute; Dr. Shmuel Assouline, Senior Researcher in the Department of Environmental Physics and
Irrigation, Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Eddie Cytryn, Environmental
Microbiologist, Institute for Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences
Ministry of Health, Environmental Health Department: David Weinberg, National Planning and
Treated Effluent Reuse Manager
Israel Export Institute: Raphaele Moog, Head of Water Sector
WaterEdge.IL: Ravid Levi, Senior Director
Additional Site Visit Hosts and Points of Contact
Sorek WWTP: Amos Kalagy, CEO, Jerusalem Wastewater Purification Enterprises Company (Mavti)
Sorek Desalination Plant: Semion Brover, CEO, Sorek Operation and Maintenance Company; Uri
Schor, Head of Education and Information, Israel Water Authority
Emek Hefer Water Reclamation Project: Tzvika Garber, CEO
I'ron WWTP: Ezra Sidransky, CEO, the Economical Company forthe Development of M.A. Menashe
Shafdan Water Recycling Facility: Hadas (Raanan) Raanan Kiperwas, Researcher, Effluent Treatment
and Reuse, Mekorot, Israel's National Water Company
Meniv Rishon Water Corporation: Sally Levy, CEO
Intel Semiconductors Plant: Yotvat Bar-El, Environmental Engineering and Site Infrastructure Lead,
F28, Intel; Galit Levy, Regulation and Policy Manager, Government Affairs, Intel Israel
Ein Bokek hotels WWTP and Water Reuse: Shimon Lavi; Tal Yogev; Zohar Schwartzman; Uria
Yeshurun
Ein Gedi date plantation: Yehuda Roth; Alon Shahal
Masada National Park: Simon Nemtzov, Head of International Relations, Israel Nature and Parks
Authority
2022 Delegation to Israel (WRAP Action 11.1): Attachment 3: Israeli Organizersand 17
Summary Report
Hosts
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