Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam will be attending the biennial WATEC conference in Israel this year evaluating challenges facing the global water supply and taking a look at innovative technologies to combat those challenges.
“Florida is one of the fastest growing regions in North America, and we face unique water resource management issues,” Putnam said. “We must balance the needs of our population with those that support a growing economy, while protecting the natural systems so vital to our quality of life.”
The WATEC event this year will be held next month in Tel Aviv, Israel. Putnam is set to participate in a talk October 13 regarding “implementation of water scarcity solutions worldwide” and the lessons learned from different regions. He will discuss programs developed in Florida and technologies used for restoration and conservation geared at maintaining a sustainable water supply. Putnam is also expected to address the importance of using data-driven models regarding water supply and use.
“By bringing all water stakeholders in Florida together to monitor actual water use, assess the ability of each source to supply water and anticipate future demand, we can estimate the shortfall of supply and take action now to close that gap,” Putnam said.
During his visit, Putnam will also meet with Israeli government and business leaders who are researching new technologies to address water challenges.
Putnam’s trip next month was announced this morning at a water forum in Miami hosted by the consul general of Israel to Florida.
