On Thursday, September 12, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Salt Lake Chamber hosted the fourth BusinessH2O Water Innovation Summit in Snowbird, Utah. American and Israeli business leaders, policymakers, academics, and water industry stakeholders met at the conference for discussions on building Utah-Israeli water partnerships and developing solutions to growing water issues that support economic growth in the driest places in the world.

A group of water companies from Israel traveled to Utah for the conference and presented their innovative water solutions in areas such as cybersecurity, wastewater treatment, monitoring water levels and quality, and providing large-scale water infrastructure.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Assistant Administrator for Water Dave Ross provided the keynote address. He discussed the newly announced National Water Reuse Action Plan  and how Israel can provide lessons and best practices as the U.S. moves to increase water reuse nationwide. Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox also spoke at the conference, emphasizing Utah’s need to learn from Israel about water conservation in order to counteract the state’s growing water shortages.

The BusinessH2O conference initiated discussions about collaboration between Israel and Utah on water and demonstrates the connection that the U.S. Chamber’s Business H2O Water Innovation Initiative aims to develop between Israel and the U.S. in water. Founded in 2016, the BusinessH2O Initiative is a flagship program that brings together business leaders, government stakeholders, and water management experts to showcase innovation in water management and develop practical solutions to our growing global water challenges.