On March 22, the world marks International Water Day, addressing primarily the importance of water conservation. The IDF has in recent years attached great importance to saving water and the optimal green use of this scarce resource.

As part of this effort, the Israeli Navy has launched several projects, most notably water desalination aboard naval vessels - an important project that saves of thousands of gallons per day per vessel. "Today, all large naval vessels carry out desalination for various uses, including drinking water and showers," said Lt. Commander Gideon Ayeach, Head of Sales and Economics Field for the Israel Navy, responsible among other things for renewable energy, efficiency and water conservation.

This project is yet another example of the high capabilities of Israel in the field of water desalination. Several large desalination plants have been established in recent years in Israel, using the most innovative technologies, which may in the future transform Israel from an arid country to a water exporter.

The Navy also uses advanced technologies of desalination for generators and batteries that require filtered water. "Until recently, we would buy filtered water from an external supplier," said Ayeach. "But we invested money and developed our capabilities, and today we produce desalinated water that can be used for all batteries and generators."

The Navy recently launched another groundbreaking project designed to make optimum use of fuel residues and oil remaining in the bottom of tanks. In the past, the IDF would have hired a company to remove the dirty residue that collected at the bottom of its tanks and ships. Today, the Navy applies technology that allows it to pump out the dirty fuel, which is cleaned and filtered for reuse on its ships.

In addition, the Navy treats the gray water after use board and returns it to the sea after a process that includes bacteria as a cleansing agent. "This way we help keep Haifa Bay clean and try to reduce pollution," said Ayeach.

The Navy's concern with the environment is not limited to its water-saving projects. It has increasingly replaced electric boilers with use cost effective solar water heaters - also based on Israeli technology.

Investment in increased efficiency of the Navy, including the water-saving projects, has in recent years amounted to a savings of over NIS 200 million. In some cases, technologies developed in Israel were adapted for use by the military.