Israel is considering importing sweet water from Turkey in huge plastic bags, in view of a possible fresh water shortage due to below normal precipitation in recent years.
The unusual idea has been discussed by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Israel Water Commission.
An Israeli plastics factory would fabricate immense semi-flexible bags, nearly 800 feet long and shaped like the hull of a ship.
They would be towed to Turkish ports, filled with potable water and towed back to Israel in a regular ferry service.
Since sweet water is lighter than salt water, the heavily laden bags would float at sea.
The estimated cost of the project is in the millions of dollars, but it would be less expensive than the construction of giant desalination units.
The idea is no more bizarre than one entertained by Saudi Arabia some years ago to tow polar icebergs to Saudi ports and pump off the water as they melted.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
