Faced with Mexico’s current challenges in terms of water, the Israeli experience of use and efficiency in water management is compelling for the search and implementation of solutions where the public and private sectors intervene hand in hand.
In the context of World Water Day, it is worth keeping in mind a revealing fact about the reality in the country: about 10% of the Mexican population does not have access to drinking water; It is estimated between 12.5 and 15 million people, especially from rural areas, but also from marginalized areas in large cities.
In order to mitigate this situation and transform the reality of this sector, Israel has joined forces with the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the State Water Commission of Querétaro, the Mexican Hydraulic Association and its regional sections, the University of Querétaro, the College of Civil Engineers of Querétaro; as well as FIRA Barcelona Mexico and Alianza Smart LatAm to continue developing strategic alliances that aim to promote the water sector in their respective subsectors.
As part of the actions and in the search for viable options, the Commercial Office of the Embassy of Israel in Mexico carried out from March 16 to 21 in the State of Querétaro the “International Water Week” whose axes were: Innovation and technology in water services for agricultural use; Innovation and technology for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters; Innovation and technology in wastewater treatment and reuse; and Innovation and technology in water services for urban public use.
During the first day of the activities, the Ambassador of Israel in Mexico, Zvi Tal, pointed out that “water is a right that goes beyond the human” and to fully exercise it, Israeli companies are allies in the efforts to find solutions innovative for the benefit of the population.
These entities are heirs to the experience of developing an outstanding agricultural sector in a desert, as well as efficient processes for the proper use of this vital liquid, reaching today the recycling of 85% of the total used; not to mention that around 80% of the water for domestic use comes from the sea after going through desalination processes that are carried out in five specialized plants.
Also participating in the meeting was Dr. Diego Berger, coordinator of special projects within Mekorot, a company that since 2014 has worked closely with Mexico to create projects to improve
in the quality of water in many areas of the country, such as the sanitation of the Cuautitlán-Pachuca aquifer; the recovery of the quality of the Costa de Hermosillo aquifer, located in Sonora; and the improvement of the Principal aquifer, Coahuila and Durango.
Another example of the close relationship between the two nations is the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) built by the Israeli company ODIS ASVERSA in Baja California, whose purpose is to irrigate the golf courses in Playas de Rosarito, as well as the agricultural and Valle de Guadalupe vineyards.
As a world leader in the sector, Israel demonstrates that despite the adversities in the environment, it is possible to conserve this essential resource for any living being through the implementation of the appropriate solutions.
The Israeli State continues to work hand in hand with the Mexican State for the generation of well-being conditions, in this area, bringing water to those who need it.
* The author is commercial attache of the Embassy of Israel in Mexico.