Let There Be Water

Let There Be Water Plot Summary

Introduction

In the parched landscape of the Middle East, one nation has accomplished what many once thought impossible. When Israel declared independence in 1948, experts predicted the young state would never support more than two million people due to severe water limitations. The land was mostly desert, annual rainfall was meager and unpredictable, and natural water sources were rapidly depleting. Water scarcity seemed destined to constrain Israel's growth and prosperity. Yet today, this small nation not only supports over nine million citizens with abundant water but has become a global leader in water technology, exporting solutions to countries on six continents. This remarkable transformation from water scarcity to water security represents one of the most significant environmental success stories of our time. Through a combination of cultural attitudes, innovative policies, groundbreaking technologies, and sheer determination, Israel developed a comprehensive approach to water management that has revolutionized how humanity can thrive in water-scarce environments. The lessons from this journey offer valuable insights for a world where water stress affects an increasing number of regions and communities.

Chapter 1: Cultural Foundations: Water in Jewish Heritage (1920-1948)

Long before the modern state of Israel was established, water consciousness was deeply embedded in Jewish cultural and religious traditions. The Hebrew Bible mentions water over 600 times, with specific words for different types of water bodies and even distinct terms for the first and last rainfalls of the year. This linguistic richness reflected the centrality of water to life in an arid region where rainfall was seasonal and unpredictable. For thousands of years, Jewish prayers included requests for rain to fall in the Holy Land, creating a spiritual connection to water that transcended generations. When Jewish pioneers began returning to Palestine in the early 20th century, they brought this water-centered heritage with them and quickly adapted it to their new circumstances. Unlike in many European and American cultures where rain was often viewed as an inconvenience, the early Jewish settlers celebrated rainfall. Children were taught songs praising rain, and schools incorporated water conservation into their curriculum from the earliest grades. One popular children's song from this period proclaimed: "Rain, rain from the skies, all day long, drops of water, drip drop drip drop, clap your hands!" This cultural attitude created a foundation for conservation that would later enable more technical solutions. The harsh realities of water scarcity in Palestine during the British Mandate period (1920-1948) reinforced these cultural predispositions. Early settlers discovered that traditional European agricultural methods were ill-suited to the Mediterranean climate with its long, dry summers. They began experimenting with water-efficient farming techniques adapted from both ancient practices and modern science. Organizations like the Jewish National Fund prioritized water development, funding wells, reservoirs, and irrigation systems. By the 1930s, water experts like Simcha Blass were already developing comprehensive plans for national water management that would later be implemented by the independent state. This period also saw the emergence of communal approaches to water management. In the kibbutz movement, water was treated as a shared resource rather than private property. This socialist approach to water allocation would later influence Israel's national water policies, which vested ownership of all water resources in the state rather than in individual landowners. The British authorities, recognizing the strategic importance of water, commissioned several studies of Palestine's water resources during this period. Their conclusions were pessimistic, suggesting that water limitations would severely restrict population growth and economic development in the region. As independence approached in the late 1940s, the Zionist leadership was already thinking beyond these limitations. They rejected the deterministic view that geography and climate must constrain human potential. Instead, they embraced a philosophy that would guide Israel's approach to water for decades to come: that through innovation, determination, and collective action, even the most severe natural constraints could be overcome. This cultural foundation—combining ancient reverence for water with modern scientific approaches and communal responsibility—created fertile ground for the water revolution that would follow independence.

Chapter 2: Nation Building: The National Water Carrier Project (1948-1964)

When Israel declared independence in 1948, the new nation faced an existential water crisis. The country's population was exploding—growing from 806,000 in 1948 to over 2 million by 1958—as Holocaust survivors and Jews expelled from Arab countries flooded in. Yet Israel's water resources remained fixed, with most concentrated in the north while population centers and agricultural development were needed in the arid south. The young state's leaders recognized that water would determine whether Israel could survive, let alone thrive. David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, made water infrastructure a national priority equal to defense. "Water to the country is like blood to a human being," he often declared. This wasn't mere rhetoric—Ben-Gurion had been deeply influenced by America's Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) project during a 1937 visit, seeing how integrated water management could transform an entire region. He envisioned a similar transformation for Israel, particularly in developing the Negev Desert, which comprised over half the country's territory but remained largely uninhabited. The centerpiece of this vision became the National Water Carrier—the most ambitious infrastructure project in Israel's history. Conceived by water engineer Simcha Blass and designed by Aaron Wiener, this massive undertaking would transport water from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Negev Desert in the south. Construction began in 1959 after years of planning and political maneuvering. The project required tunneling through mountains, laying massive pipes, and developing new engineering techniques. When completed in 1964, the 130-kilometer system could move 1.7 million cubic meters of water daily—equivalent to 400 Olympic swimming pools. The National Water Carrier wasn't merely an engineering achievement; it represented a profound philosophical statement about national priorities. The project consumed an astounding 80% of Israel's development budget during construction—a commitment few other nations would make to water infrastructure. This investment reflected a consensus across Israel's political spectrum that water security was non-negotiable. The system was also designed with military security in mind, with much of the infrastructure built underground to protect it from potential attacks. The impact of the National Water Carrier was transformative. It enabled the "blooming of the desert" that Ben-Gurion had envisioned, turning barren lands into productive farms. Cities like Beersheba grew from dusty outposts into thriving urban centers. Perhaps most importantly, the project created a unified national water system that treated water as a shared resource rather than a local one. This approach—radical at the time—allowed for optimal allocation of water resources across the entire country. Beyond its practical benefits, the National Water Carrier became a powerful national symbol. It represented Israel's determination to overcome natural limitations through human ingenuity. The project's completion was celebrated as a second declaration of independence—this time from the constraints of geography and climate. This period established a distinctly Israeli approach to water: centralized planning, technological innovation, and a willingness to make significant national investments in water security.

Chapter 3: Agricultural Revolution: Drip Irrigation's Global Impact (1965-1990)

In the mid-1960s, as Israel's National Water Carrier began operating, a quiet revolution was taking place on a kibbutz in the Negev Desert. At Kibbutz Hatzerim, a group of farmers and engineers were developing a technology that would transform not just Israeli agriculture but farming practices worldwide: drip irrigation. The innovation emerged from necessity—conventional irrigation methods wasted too much water through evaporation and runoff, making desert agriculture nearly impossible despite the new water infrastructure. The breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Engineer Simcha Blass noticed that a row of trees was growing unusually well despite receiving the same amount of water as others. Investigating further, he discovered a leaking pipe was delivering water directly to the roots of these thriving trees. This observation led to his development of a plastic dripper that could deliver precise amounts of water directly to plant roots. In 1965, after partnering with Kibbutz Hatzerim, the first commercial drip irrigation system was installed, and Netafim—now a global irrigation company—was born. The impact of drip irrigation on Israeli agriculture was immediate and profound. The technology reduced water usage by 30-70% compared to conventional methods while simultaneously increasing crop yields by 20-50%. This efficiency allowed Israel to expand agriculture in desert regions previously considered unsuitable for farming. By the 1970s, drip irrigation had spread throughout Israeli agriculture, becoming the standard method for watering crops. The technology was continuously refined, with innovations like pressure-compensated drippers for uneven terrain and subsurface systems that virtually eliminated evaporation. What made drip irrigation truly revolutionary was its integration with other agricultural innovations. Israeli farmers began adding fertilizers directly to irrigation water—a technique called "fertigation"—further increasing efficiency. Scientists developed specialized seeds that thrived under drip conditions. Computer systems were introduced to optimize irrigation timing and amounts. These complementary innovations created a comprehensive approach to water-efficient agriculture that was greater than the sum of its parts. The global impact of drip irrigation has been extraordinary. From its humble beginnings at Kibbutz Hatzerim, the technology spread to over 110 countries across six continents. It has been particularly transformative in developing nations, where water scarcity and food security are pressing concerns. In India alone, drip irrigation has helped millions of small farmers increase yields while using less water. The technology has proven adaptable to diverse crops and conditions, from California vineyards to African vegetable plots. Beyond its technical merits, drip irrigation represents a philosophical shift in agricultural water use—from abundance to precision. Rather than flooding fields with water and accepting massive waste, the approach treats each drop as precious. This mindset, born of Israeli necessity, has become increasingly relevant globally as climate change and population growth strain water resources worldwide. The drip irrigation revolution demonstrates how a single innovation, when widely adopted, can fundamentally alter humanity's relationship with a finite resource.

Chapter 4: Wastewater Transformation: Creating a Second Water Economy (1970-2000)

By the early 1970s, Israel had made remarkable progress in managing its freshwater resources, but a new challenge was emerging. As population and industry grew, so did wastewater production. Initially viewed solely as a disposal problem and environmental hazard, sewage would soon be reconceptualized as a potential resource in water-scarce Israel. This paradigm shift—from viewing wastewater as waste to seeing it as water—would lead to one of the most successful water reclamation programs in history. Israel's wastewater journey began with a crisis. In the Dan Region around Tel Aviv, untreated sewage was being discharged directly into the Mediterranean Sea, creating health hazards and environmental damage. In response, construction began in 1969 on what would become the Shafdan facility—a pioneering wastewater treatment plant designed not just to clean sewage but to transform it into water suitable for agricultural use. The system employed a unique approach: after conventional treatment, the water was pumped to infiltration basins in sandy dunes where it would percolate through the soil, undergoing natural purification before being recovered from wells for agricultural use. This Sand Aquifer Treatment (SAT) process became the cornerstone of Israel's wastewater reclamation strategy. It produced water of such high quality that for a period in the 1980s, the Ministry of Health permitted up to 5% of the nation's drinking water to come from this source. While this practice was eventually discontinued in favor of keeping reclaimed water and freshwater systems separate, it demonstrated the potential of treated wastewater as a reliable water source. The Israeli government took a decisive step in the late 1990s, investing over $400 million to build a comprehensive national wastewater treatment infrastructure. This massive investment—equivalent to billions in today's dollars—reflected a strategic decision to prioritize wastewater reclamation as a cornerstone of national water policy. The goal was ambitious: to collect, treat, and reuse as much of the country's sewage as possible, primarily for agricultural irrigation. The results have been remarkable. Today, Israel treats approximately 85% of its wastewater—the highest rate in the world, with the next closest country treating about 60%. Even more impressively, nearly 75% of Israel's treated wastewater is reused for agriculture, providing about half of all water used for farming. This has allowed Israel to essentially create a new water source equivalent to a major desalination plant, but at lower cost and energy consumption. The wastewater revolution extended beyond treatment facilities to include a parallel water infrastructure. A separate national pipeline system was constructed to transport reclaimed water from population centers to agricultural areas. Hundreds of reservoirs were built throughout the country to store this water during winter months when irrigation needs are low. This dual water system—one for freshwater and one for reclaimed water—represents a fundamental reimagining of water infrastructure.

Chapter 5: Desalination Breakthrough: Achieving Water Independence (2000-2015)

By the late 1990s, despite Israel's remarkable progress in water conservation, reuse, and management, the country still faced a fundamental limitation: its natural freshwater resources remained finite while population and economic growth continued. A series of severe droughts between 1998 and 2002 brought this reality into sharp focus, with water levels in the Sea of Galilee dropping to historic lows and aquifers becoming dangerously depleted. It became clear that Israel needed to find a way to create new water, not just manage existing supplies more efficiently. The answer lay in a technology that had long been considered too expensive and energy-intensive for widespread use: seawater desalination. While Israel had experimented with desalination since the 1960s, the process remained prohibitively costly for large-scale implementation. This changed in the late 1990s with advances in reverse osmosis technology and energy recovery systems. A government commission led by Abraham Tenne concluded that large-scale desalination had become economically viable and recommended an ambitious national program. In 2000, the Israeli government made a historic decision to build a series of large desalination plants along the Mediterranean coast. The first major facility opened in Ashkelon in 2005, producing 100 million cubic meters of freshwater annually—at the time, the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the world. Four more major plants followed: Palmachim (2007), Hadera (2009), Sorek (2013), and Ashdod (2015). Together, these facilities can produce over 600 million cubic meters of water annually—equivalent to approximately 85% of Israel's domestic water consumption. What made Israel's desalination program remarkable wasn't just its scale but its efficiency. Through a series of technological innovations and operational improvements, Israeli engineers dramatically reduced the cost and energy requirements of desalination. The Sorek plant, when completed in 2013, set new global benchmarks for efficiency, producing water at approximately $0.58 per cubic meter—about half the cost of comparable facilities elsewhere. This was achieved through innovations like larger membrane elements, improved energy recovery devices, and sophisticated control systems. The procurement process for these plants was equally innovative. Rather than building and operating the facilities itself, the government used Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contracts with private companies. These arrangements created strong incentives for efficiency, as companies competed to offer the lowest water prices while still making a profit. The government guaranteed to purchase a minimum amount of water at an agreed price, providing the financial stability needed for large capital investments while maintaining competitive pressure. The impact of desalination on Israel's water security has been transformative. For the first time in its history, Israel has achieved water independence—its water supply is no longer at the mercy of rainfall patterns. During the severe drought of 2014-2018, while neighboring countries suffered water shortages, Israel maintained normal water supply without significant restrictions. The psychological impact of this shift has been profound; Israelis no longer live with the constant anxiety of water scarcity that characterized previous generations.

Chapter 6: Hydro-Diplomacy: Water as a Bridge for Regional Cooperation

Water has long been a source of tension in the Middle East, where borders often cut across shared aquifers and river basins. Yet paradoxically, water has also provided rare opportunities for cooperation in a region marked by conflict. Israel's journey from water scarcity to abundance has created new possibilities for what might be called "hydro-diplomacy"—using water as a bridge to build relationships with neighbors and countries further afield. The most significant example of regional water cooperation is Israel's relationship with Jordan. Despite decades of formal hostility, Israel and Jordan maintained secret contacts on water issues even before their 1994 peace treaty. The treaty itself contained extensive provisions on water sharing, with Israel agreeing to provide Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of water annually. This commitment has been honored even during periods of political tension, creating a foundation of trust between the two countries. As Israel's water situation improved through desalination, it increased water transfers to Jordan, helping its neighbor cope with its own severe water shortages. This cooperation culminated in the landmark Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyance Project agreement signed in 2013. This innovative project addresses multiple regional challenges: it will provide desalinated water to southern Israel and Jordan, deliver additional water to central Jordan via swaps with Israeli sources, and help stabilize the rapidly shrinking Dead Sea by channeling brine from the desalination process into it. Perhaps most significantly, the Palestinian Authority is also a partner in the project, creating a rare example of trilateral cooperation in the region. Water has also played a crucial role in Israel's relationship with the Palestinians, though in more complex ways. Under agreements signed in the 1990s, Israel provides approximately 60 million cubic meters of water annually to Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza. Israeli and Palestinian water professionals have maintained technical cooperation even during periods of political conflict, recognizing their shared interest in protecting aquifers that cross political boundaries. While water remains a contentious issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations, Israel's increased water security through desalination has created new flexibility in negotiations. Beyond its immediate neighbors, Israel has used water expertise as a diplomatic tool globally. Israeli water companies and experts work in over 150 countries, from China to Chile, Africa to India. These engagements often open doors to broader diplomatic and commercial relationships. When China decided to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 after decades of isolation, water cooperation played a central role. Chinese officials had been secretly meeting with Israeli water experts since the 1980s, impressed by technologies that could address China's growing water challenges. The Gaza Strip presents perhaps the most urgent water challenge in the region. Its coastal aquifer has been severely degraded by overpumping and contamination, with over 90% of the water now unfit for human consumption. Israeli water experts have proposed various solutions, including large-scale desalination facilities and wastewater treatment plants. While political obstacles have hindered implementation, there is growing recognition that addressing Gaza's water crisis is not just a humanitarian imperative but also serves Israel's security interests by reducing potential for conflict driven by resource scarcity.

Summary

Israel's transformation from water scarcity to water abundance represents one of the most remarkable environmental success stories of our time. Through a combination of cultural attitudes, innovative policies, groundbreaking technologies, and sheer determination, this small nation overcame seemingly insurmountable natural constraints to achieve water security in one of the world's most arid regions. The journey was not driven by a single breakthrough but by a comprehensive approach that addressed all aspects of the water cycle—from conservation and efficient use to wastewater reclamation and desalination. This holistic strategy, developed over decades of trial and error, offers a powerful model for other water-stressed regions facing similar challenges. As climate change intensifies water scarcity worldwide, the lessons from Israel's experience become increasingly relevant. First, water challenges require integrated solutions that combine technological innovation with appropriate policies and cultural adaptation. Second, water scarcity need not be destiny—with proper management and investment, even the most water-stressed regions can achieve security and abundance. Finally, water can serve as a bridge for cooperation rather than a source of conflict, creating opportunities for regional collaboration that transcend political differences. As the global water crisis deepens in the coming decades, Israel's journey from desert to abundance offers not just practical solutions but also hope that humanity can overcome one of its most pressing environmental challenges through innovation, determination, and shared purpose.

About Author

Loading...

Seth M. Siegel

Read more