Opening Address, Sixth International Conference on Water Pollution Research xxi
once ill-fated bay. This is well within safe limits.
We all rejoice in these historic accomplishments which have been achieved by the
co-operative efforts of research scientists and practical engineers who actually went ahead
and did the job.
May this Conference serve as a turning-point in the successful campaign to reduce the
pollution of our water environment. Let us learn not only to warn of the dangers of
uncontrolled pollution, but to point to the successes that can result from the planned and
judicious application of our research efforts. Nothing breeds success more than success
itself.
With a growing shortage of water in many parts of the world, we will be seeking new
sources of water supplies. Can we afford to throw away a vital resource such as water that
has been used only once and is still 99.9% pure water? Engineers talk freely of the
utilization of seawater, but it is worth noting that seawater contains thirty times more
contaminants than municipal wastewater. Israel is one of the few countries in the world
that is already utilizing almost all of its ultimate, natural water resources and must look
for maximum conservation of its existing supplies. We are already renovating 25% of our
urban wastewater for agricultural and industrial purposes. The challenge of the future will
be to develop systems to purify wastewater so that they will be safe for unlimited urban
use. This issue will be discussed at some length at this Conference.
This international Conference with representatives from thirty-five countries from all
continents, from various political, social and economic systems, is symbolic of the role
that science and scientists can play in breaking down the barriers of communication that
are sometimes artificially placed in our way. The free exchange of ideas is a sine-qua-non
for peaceful co-operation of the type that is necessary to assure the proper management
of the quality of the world's water resources. Many of the major rivers of the world pass
through three or four countries on their twisting path to the sea. Only the most exacting
co-operation among the nations sharing the use of the river can guarantee that the
maximum benefit can be derived for all concerned. The seas are shared by all nations and
here only full international control can prevail in preventing their degradation. May I add
that our own region could benefit immeasurably by peaceful co-operation among the
nations of the area in developing the limited water resources and to take the measures
necessary to prevent their pollution and preserve their quality. May this Conference
provide the forum for the meeting of the minds necessary to achieve such true
co-operation among nations.
Our profession is called upon to provide scientific answers to the current and future
problems involved in preserving the quality of our water. However, technology is not
enough. We must guide our administrators and statesmen as to the optimal application of
the new technology capable of preventing the deterioration of the environment. On the
one hand, insufficient preventive action today may lead to irreversible damage that
cannot be corrected at any price in the future. On the other hand, an irrational use of
limited financial resources today to achieve unreasonable goals such as a level of
absolutely zero pollution as has been recently proposed by some influential ecologists,
may lead to a state of disenchantment or even revolt among the public who have so far
enthusiastically supported environmental improvement programs. Will they blindly
support expenditures to achieve an exaggerated degree of environmental pollution control
at the expense of other worthwhile social needs such as housing and education? Concepts
once ill-fated bay. This is well within safe limits.
We all rejoice in these historic accomplishments which have been achieved by the
co-operative efforts of research scientists and practical engineers who actually went ahead
and did the job.
May this Conference serve as a turning-point in the successful campaign to reduce the
pollution of our water environment. Let us learn not only to warn of the dangers of
uncontrolled pollution, but to point to the successes that can result from the planned and
judicious application of our research efforts. Nothing breeds success more than success
itself.
With a growing shortage of water in many parts of the world, we will be seeking new
sources of water supplies. Can we afford to throw away a vital resource such as water that
has been used only once and is still 99.9% pure water? Engineers talk freely of the
utilization of seawater, but it is worth noting that seawater contains thirty times more
contaminants than municipal wastewater. Israel is one of the few countries in the world
that is already utilizing almost all of its ultimate, natural water resources and must look
for maximum conservation of its existing supplies. We are already renovating 25% of our
urban wastewater for agricultural and industrial purposes. The challenge of the future will
be to develop systems to purify wastewater so that they will be safe for unlimited urban
use. This issue will be discussed at some length at this Conference.
This international Conference with representatives from thirty-five countries from all
continents, from various political, social and economic systems, is symbolic of the role
that science and scientists can play in breaking down the barriers of communication that
are sometimes artificially placed in our way. The free exchange of ideas is a sine-qua-non
for peaceful co-operation of the type that is necessary to assure the proper management
of the quality of the world's water resources. Many of the major rivers of the world pass
through three or four countries on their twisting path to the sea. Only the most exacting
co-operation among the nations sharing the use of the river can guarantee that the
maximum benefit can be derived for all concerned. The seas are shared by all nations and
here only full international control can prevail in preventing their degradation. May I add
that our own region could benefit immeasurably by peaceful co-operation among the
nations of the area in developing the limited water resources and to take the measures
necessary to prevent their pollution and preserve their quality. May this Conference
provide the forum for the meeting of the minds necessary to achieve such true
co-operation among nations.
Our profession is called upon to provide scientific answers to the current and future
problems involved in preserving the quality of our water. However, technology is not
enough. We must guide our administrators and statesmen as to the optimal application of
the new technology capable of preventing the deterioration of the environment. On the
one hand, insufficient preventive action today may lead to irreversible damage that
cannot be corrected at any price in the future. On the other hand, an irrational use of
limited financial resources today to achieve unreasonable goals such as a level of
absolutely zero pollution as has been recently proposed by some influential ecologists,
may lead to a state of disenchantment or even revolt among the public who have so far
enthusiastically supported environmental improvement programs. Will they blindly
support expenditures to achieve an exaggerated degree of environmental pollution control
at the expense of other worthwhile social needs such as housing and education? Concepts