Israel was commended at the 5th World Water Forum held recently in Istanbul, for leading the world in the use of recycled water.

The United Nations report presented at the international conference also ranked Israel as one of the world's leaders in desalinated water use.

Israel recycles nearly 70 percent of its sewage water for agricultural use. Much of the remainder is treated, but not used for agriculture.

The UN report notes that water purification is particularly problematic in developing countries, where more than 80 percent of sewage flows to rivers and underwater reservoirs without first undergoing any treatment. Even in more developed countries there are varying levels of wastewater treatment, irrespective of whether the treated water is reused.

The report points out that the use of recycled water for irrigation is essential in many countries where clean water is in short supply.

Israel is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in water resources technologies, so as to jointly deal with the challenges from global water problems.

(China.org.cn March 24, 2009)