Mekorot CEO Details Water Infrastructure Plans After Northern Israel Conflict

Amit Lang, CEO of Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, recently detailed the company’s efforts to maintain and restore water supply across Israel’s northern regions amid the ongoing conflict.

Speaking on the Jerusalem Post’s “Rebuilding the North” broadcast, Lang provided an update on the challenges and progress Mekorot has made to ensure water delivery during and after the war.

Lang emphasized that despite specific attacks on water facilities, including pumping stations and pipelines by Hezbollah, Mekorot’s robust infrastructure and rapid response from employees kept the water supply intact.

“There were a few incidents where local infrastructure was damaged,” Lang explained, “but our employees were able to resolve these issues quickly and efficiently.”

As soon as a ceasefire was declared in the North, Lang stated, Mekorot implemented a comprehensive restoration plan to repair all damaged infrastructure.

He credited the company’s redundant systems and the ingenuity of Mekorot engineers for minimizing the impact on water supply during the war. According to Lang, the company is on track to restore all affected infrastructure within the next several months.

In addition to restoration efforts, Mekorot is focused on further expanding water infrastructure in the northern regions.

Lang revealed that a new desalination facility is under construction for the western Galilee, which will provide an additional water source for the area, enhancing the region’s connection to the national water system. “We are aiming to connect the entire North to another significant water source,” he said.

Looking to the future, Lang outlined Mekorot’s national development plans, with a focus on extending the water supply to more remote areas across Israel.

“We want to connect every settlement, every point on the map with agriculture or residences, to the national water system,” Lang stated.

This expansion will bring a more reliable water source to areas currently relying on regional sources, such as local groundwater drilling.

Lang pointed out that groundwater is far less dependable, often vulnerable to contamination, earthquakes, and malfunctions.

Connecting these remote areas to the national system will ensure a continuous and reliable water supply, which Lang described as “the most reliable system in the world.”

The aim is to connect all regions, especially in the north and south, to the national infrastructure over the next few years.

Mekorot’s long-term vision, according to Lang, involves anticipating and adapting to future challenges, particularly those posed by climate change.

He noted that the company plans twenty years ahead, factoring in potential shifts in water demand and environmental factors.

“We analyze climate phenomena, anticipate challenges, and plan ahead,” Lang said, expressing confidence that Mekorot’s forward-thinking approach makes it “the best company in the world.”

Lang estimated that nearly all remote areas that currently rely on unreliable local water sources would be integrated into the national system within the next three to four years.

This massive expansion is aimed at improving Israel’s overall water security and ensuring that every part of the country has access to safe, clean water for years to come.

Mekorot’s ambitious projects, coupled with their dedication to overcoming the challenges posed by the war, showcase the company’s resilience and commitment to securing Israel’s water future.