Weekly Wave - WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal Accompanies IBWC Commissioners to the Middle East

WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal had the honor of joining International Boundary and Water Commissioners Edward Drusina (U.S.) and Roberto Salmón (MX) for five intensive days in the Middle East. The visit and field trips focused on matters related to the Jordan River and began with a briefing and tour of the Lower Jordan River provided by Mira Edelstein of EcoPeace Middle East.  

 

The trip included three full days of site visits and briefings in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan.  Stops included a transboundary wastewater treatment plant, the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the world, the largest wastewater treatment plant in Jordan, and a large fresh water reservoir that serves the southern part of the West Bank. Top-level water officials in Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank discussed water challenges and potential opportunities, including those associated with the Red-Dead desalination project and water exchange. This effort involves Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan. Throughout the visit, the Commissioners spoke of the successful International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) mechanisms for cooperation, demonstrating that, through regular communications and official processes, solutions to transboundary water challenges are possible.