The lab was created to develop specialized tools to treat wastewater problems. Bearing in mind that a country's own characteristics create unique needs, Israel's aridity causes industrial and municipal wastewater to be far more concentrated, therefore toxic, than in other countries. Furthermore, water scarcity in Israel leads local industries to save scarce and expensive water. 

Lab Group

Some of the projects leaded by the Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Water Renovation, in the direction of saving water and reducing the environmental impact of the wastewater discharged to the environments are summarized in the following lines. 

• The lab has developed, designed and implemented a $30 million dollar wastewater treatment system for the Haifa Oil Refineries. Previously responsible for 60% of the pollution entering the Kishon River (Haifa's only river), the refineries were by far the most serous defilers, spewing hundreds of tons of oil into the river yearly. The refineries implemented during a 15-year period under the direction of the lab, a treatment program which not only treats effluents and protects the environment, but also recycles water and its by-products for reuse in the industrial process. By separating more than 3,000 barrels of oil and hazardous material from the wastewater, the process annually saves an amount of water equal to that required by a city of 50,000 people.

• The lab has also cooperated with the petrochemical industry, Carmel Olefins, in a long-term industrial wastewater treatment program.

• As part of a project of all Haifa Bay chemical industries to boost the area's environmental quality, Haifa Chemicals works with lab researches to pinpoint pollution sources in production. 

• Petroleum and Energy Infrastructures are now operating wastewater plants designed and implemented with help from the lab.

• The Ministry of Defense also has sought lab expertise toward development of a cost-effective industrial wastewater treatment system.

•  The lab has been involved in a series of research and development projects connected with wastewater treatment and reuse at the American Israeli Paper Mills LTD, in Hedera.

While the lab is helping to improve the state of water in Israel, the lab also keeps abreast of ongoing and emerging problems. The new research projects deal specifically with contaminants and transport of pollutants in soil. The introduction of these new research projects has resulted in the lab's development of new equipment and infrastructure.

At the lab, more than 40 students have pursued graduate research during the last 20 years. The lab confronts students with hands-on challenges. This heady environment is accompanied by great responsibility. "Clients depend on our commitment and reliability. If an industry invest in a project, it expects a working solution - and one that meets a tight deadline" says Dr Noah Galil. "These real-life situations are the best training grounds of all".