To identify solutions to the drought-related water crisis, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich and Supervisor Sheila Kuehl establishing a formal relationship with the State of Israel to exchange research and information on water conservation, reclamation and management.

“This vital partnership will provide opportunities for Los Angeles County to learn from the State of Israel which has become completely water-independent, maintaining total water consumption levels at 1964 levels while its population has quadrupled — and only receives about an inch of precipitation a year,” Antonovich said.

“The technology Israel has developed and employed to stretch its meager water resources is truly impressive,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “I look forward to working together on ways that Los Angeles County can benefit from their work on technology and research concerning point of reuse, recycling and groundwater recharge. ”

“We look forward to working with the County of Los Angeles to exchange ideas and explore solutions to our mutual concerns surrounding water conservation in light of California’s current drought and the water issues Israel has faced for decades,” said David Siegel, Consul General of Israel.

The motion calls for the County to enter a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of establishing a formal relationship which includes interagency working groups and public- private partnerships between County and Israeli entities.