A desalination plant in Palmachim, Israel. Photo: Arq. Michael Jacobson.

JNS.org – The World Bank and Israel have signed a deal through which the international organization will use the Jewish state’s expertise in water conservation and technology in developing countries.

“Israel has suffered from a chronic water shortage for years. The need for water led Israel to create innovative and advance policies and solutions that have placed us as a water world leader. We wish to share our experience with the developing world,” Israeli Economy Minister Aryeh Deri said in a statement.

According to the agreement, study tours will be held in Israel over the next two years by officials from developing countries to learn about Israel’s efforts in water conservation and technology. The agreement will also include a study of Israel’s experience in managing water and the transferring of global expertise on water security.

“Israel has had to manage water services while operating under extreme scarcity conditions, and has done so very impressively,” said the director for water at the World Bank, Jennifer Sara. “Its innovative practices are globally recognized—both from technological and institutional perspectives—and will undoubtedly carry lessons for many of the World Bank Group’s clients facing water security challenges.”

After years of drought, Israel has seen an end to water shortages due to new methods of conservation, water recycling, and massive new desalination plants such as the Sorek plant, located south of Tel Aviv and said to be the world’s largest facility of its kind. It produces 40 billion gallons of water per year.