The scarcity of water in the Middle East has been a source of friction between Middle Eastern nations throughout history. In order to address the depletion of this precious resource and to improve the quality of drinking and irrigation water in tandem, the Agriculture Department of the Peres Center serves as the umbrella organization for 6 Israeli universities and research institutes and additional R&D centers in the field of research on water-nanotechnology, and in this regard, oversees various projects which seek to improve the quality of marginal water, waste water, sea water, and aquifers. The results of the research will be shared with Israel's neighbors, with a view to overcoming conflicts deriving from water issues.

The conceptual model for this project has been developed through a series of feedback verifications, and is based on the present state of the art of nanotechnology research, and in water desalination in particular, in Israel and elsewhere.

This project seeks to advance research and its application on:

• Nanotechnology in Water Treatment and Reuse;
• Water Protection and Treatment, with an emphasis on seawater and pollutant intrusion;
• Nanotechnology and Solar Energy Remediation of Water Pollution;
• Improving Water Desalination and Purification via Nanotechnology with emphasis on improved pressure and electrically driven membrane processes;
• Nanotechnologies for Water Quality and Protection of Fresh Water Resources.

A conference was held to launch the project in December 2003, including the participation of distinguished guests from all of the five participating Israeli universities, and guests from overseas.

In addition, various research projects have already been launched, including "Advanced Water Technologies" and "Advanced Waste Water Technologies".