For the first time, it was announced Wednesday, Israel's primary national water supply system is carrying desalinated water to the general populace.
The CEO of Mekorot, Israel's government water company, Ido Rozolio, said, "Today, for the first time, the National Water Carrier is receiving desalinated water from the desalination facility in Hadera and distributing it through the national water system."
Mekorot sources further stated that the Hadera desalination plant will be supplying 150,000 cubic meters of water per day starting next month. According to Rozolio, the significance of the latest input of desalinated water into the national water system is not only the additional water, but the fact that it is the first stage of a flagship project of the national water company -- construction of a new National Water Carrier. As a result of the connection to the Hadera desalination plant, fresh water can now be pumped not only from north to south, as had been the case until today, but from and to various directions throughout Israel.
The supply of desalinated water by way of the National Water Carrier, Mekorot sources said, is a historical change that will allow efficient, energy-saving and integrated water management. The new system will be operated using state-of-the-art control room technology, Rozolio said. The new system of water supply management will be similar to that currently in use by the electric company in its power supply grid.
Mekorot intends to invest a total of NIS five billion over the next five years in construction of the new National Water Carrier.