US Environmental Protection Agency Inks Deal With Israeli Water Tech Startup Water-Gen

March 28, 2018 | The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has signed a cooperative R&D agreement with Israeli company Water-Gen, a startup that developed technology captures humidity to make drinking water. EPA head Scott Pruitt says the goal of the agreement was to improve “access to potable water during shortages or contamination events,” liked hurricanes and earthquakes,” according to a Washington Examiner report. The Wall Street Journal reported that the deal was facilitated by casino magnate and top Republican backer Sheldon Adelson, also a strong supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Adelson is said to have facilitated meetings between Water-Gen executives and Pruitt’s team that led to the agreement. The environmental agency will test the company’s technology, as part of the deal, including “atmospheric water generator.” Last year, Water-Gen sent four water generators to Texas and Florida affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.