Brown Bag Webinar: The Evolution of the Water Sector in Israel: The Role of Mekorot, the National Water Company of Israel

Date: Monday, Dec 6

Time: 12:00 - 1:15 pm Arizona Time

Location: Webinar Only

Speaker: Diego Berger, Ph.D., Coordinator of International Projects, Mekorot-The National Water Company of Israel

The severe scarcity of "natural" water resources has forced Israel to implement forward-thinking policies, create advanced technologies, and make decisions that were not always economically supported. Much labor and investment were required to address Israel’s lack of "natural" water resources. Key pillars of the Israeli Water Sector are (1) all water supplied/consumed must be measured, (2) all water resources belong to the Public and must be administered by the State for the well-being of all the inhabitants, (3) centralized management by the Israel Water Authority, and (4) the water sector is self-financing through water bills. Israel’s Integrative Water Resources Management (IWRM) includes reliance on surface water, groundwater, sewage use, brackish water, and desalinated seawater. Israel’s management structure and master planning enable Israel to be prepared to face the consequences of year-to-year rainfall variability and climate change.

This presentation will explain the role of Mekorot, the national water company of Israel, in implementation of Israel’s policies and IWRM strategies and will include discussion of supply system efficiencies, pricing policies, and use of effluent and desalinated seawater.

Jan 24, 2022: Uranium Uptake on the Navajo Nation

Ranalda Tsosie, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Montana

On December 6-9, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme will host its Second International Conference on Transboundary Aquifers (TBA), ISARM2021: Challenges and the Way Forward. Reflecting the UN’s Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year’s conference will focus on the legal, environmental, and regional challenges of TBA management. The conference will also highlight the diverse international efforts by UNESCO and the donor community at large to advance SDGs related to water and sanitation, with specific application to TBAs. The four-day program includes eight panel discussions with 224 speakers. On Days 1 and 3 of the conference, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal will speak on the science/policy interface of TBAs, groundwater agreements between the US and Mexico, and the sustainable governance of TBAs. The agenda also features TBA contributions to SDGs, advancements in mapping TBAs, and challenges facing the cooperative management of transboundary waters.

Evolving Science Education with ASTA

Creativity drove this year's Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) Annual conference, with the theme of “Teaching Science in an Evolving Climate.” APW contributed three live sessions covering everything from “Barrio walks” to developing and using a variety of models to construct explanations, and exploring our groundwater system.

The WRRC sadly observed the passing of two major figures and warmly regarded members of the Arizona water community. Robert (Bob) Stephen Lynch died on August 29, having left his imprint on water and power law across the west. Remembrances from many of his colleagues and friends were collected by Kris Polly for the magazine Irrigation Leader, which summarized his professional and personal impacts, declaring that Bob “was a brilliant attorney and litigator, credited with helping to shape western water and hydropower policies …” who “… lived his life with passion.”

Dennis Rule passed away on October 14, after 35 years of service to southern and central AZ, going from UArizona’s Department of Hydrology and Water Resources to Tucson Water, and 20 years later, to the Central Arizona Project (CAP). His knowledge of Arizona water and problem-solving talent were influential and highly valued. At their most recent meeting in Tucson, the CAP Board took time from the agenda to remember his camaraderie, humor, and substantial professional contributions. Ted Cooke, CAP general manager, echoed others in highlighting Dennis’ passionate advocacy for Tucson, southeastern AZ, and CAP, adding that “his passion was matched by his ingenuity,” which he used when needed “to make a way through a difficult situation.”

A new study by researchers Rosario Sanchez and Laura Rodriguez of Texas A&M University maps the aquifers shared by the US and Mexico for the first time. Understanding these transboundary aquifers (TBA) is critical for the creation of policies in the future, as continued drought impacts surface water and groundwater levels in the border region. The new visualizations show where underground water flows in the borderlands, using data from both the US and Mexico, scientific literature, and historical records. The researchers used geology to determine the aquifer potential, considering the type of rock and its potential for storing water that can be extracted. Continued research is needed to get a full picture of the water available in these TBAs, but the visualization study will be crucial for future work. The study was published in a special issue of Water, which is co-edited by WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal. The research has been featured in an article published by High Country News, which included comments from Dr. Megdal on the importance of this study and furthering our understanding of TBAs.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will provide support and contribute leadership to various programs at the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), particularly the Diversifying Voices in Water Resources initiative (DViWR) and activities related to the WRRC’s engagement with Arizona’s more rural counties and regions. The Research Associate will help shape and carry out both independent and collaborative research to advance the understanding of water resources topics in Arizona and the wider region. The position will require advanced knowledge of community engagement, science translation, and water resources policy and decision-making processes to support outreach that increases awareness and literacy on water resources issues and builds capacity, especially among disadvantaged groups. The successful candidate will have experience applying engagement strategies and technologies to address environmental or water-related issues and experience with multidisciplinary research. Skills in independent research, teamwork, and communication are also required. The anticipated duration of this position is at least 24 months. Apply Here

Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs & opportunities.

Kwon, Karen, and Jennifer Gimbel. “Quenching Thirst in the Colorado River Basin.” Colorado State University. Colorado Water Center, July 2021. https://watercenter.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/FY21-CoWC-Annual-Report-11022021.pdfAnnual-Report-11022021.pdf.