Israel's Water Crisis Not Over, Says Mekorot Chairman
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Moshe Shimon, Chairman of Mekorot, stated that Israel's water crisis is not over, despite the company preventing shortages during the recent shutdown of desalination plants. Mekorot increased extraction from the Sea of Galilee and used boreholes to maintain supply. The company is also investing NIS 1.6 billion to connect remote areas to the national water system and is expanding its international operations. Shimon noted that inadequate wastewater treatment is delaying housing projects.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Mekorot Chairman Moshe Shimon stated Israel's water crisis is not over, despite preventing shortages.
- Desalination plants were shut down due to a photosynthetic bacteria, impacting water supply.
- Mekorot increased water extraction from the Sea of Galilee and used boreholes during the crisis.
- The company approved a NIS 1.6 billion budget to connect remote areas to the national water system.
- Inadequate wastewater treatment is delaying the construction of tens of thousands of housing units.
- Mekorot is expanding its international activities in several countries.
The chairman of Israel's national water company, Mekorot, stated that the water crisis caused by the shutdown of desalination plants due to a photosynthetic bacteria is not yet over, though the company managed to prevent shortages. Speaking at the "People of the State" conference, Moshe Shimon explained that Mekorot prepared for such an eventuality a year prior with a drill simulating the shutdown of desalination facilities, a concern heightened by the "Swords of Iron" war and potential cyberattacks. During the actual crisis, Mekorot increased water extraction from the Sea of Galilee and utilized approximately a thousand boreholes to maintain supply for drinking, industry, and agriculture. Shimon emphasized that despite the challenges, there was no water shortage, and the company's response met expectations from the Ministry of Energy and the Water Authority. He also highlighted Mekorot's ongoing efforts to connect remote areas like the Arava, Jordan Valley, and Golan Heights to the national water system, approving a NIS 1.6 billion development budget for this purpose. Additionally, Shimon addressed the issue of wastewater treatment, noting that inadequate facilities are delaying the construction of tens of thousands of housing units, and Mekorot is expanding its operations in this sector. The company is also investing in innovation, collaborating with Google Israel on technological projects to improve water supply reliability and efficiency, and is expanding its international activities in countries including Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Argentina, and India.
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