Hadera's water desalination plant activated

The desalination plant in Hadera, which is considered the largest in the world, has commenced infusing water into the Mekorot system, Water Authority Chairman Uri Shani declared last Wednesday. In recent weeks experts have been holding extensive testing aimed at ensuring the water's quality. The plant has been given the Health Ministry seal of approval confirming that the water being desalinated meet Israel's drinking water standards. Shani made the announcement during the "Green Economy" conference in Petah Tikva, which was attended by Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan and National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau. Simulation of Hadera's desalination plant At the current stage only small amounts of water are being transferred, which do not yet meet the drinking water quota. This is due to the fact that the plant is not fully operational and still awaits a "desalination permit" expected at the end of January. In the future, the plant will reach a maximum output of 127 million cubic meters per year. The plant in Hadera is an addition to two existing active facilities in Ashkelon and Palmachim. When it reaches full productivity, accumulated desalination in Israel will amount to 300 million cm per year. 'Water reserves more secure' Abraham Tenne, desalination department head in the Water Authority told Ynet this week that the new plant will make a considerable contribution to the water economy in Israel and noted that as a result water reserves will be more secure in 2010. He further added that the first benefactor will be Lake Kinneret which suffers an ever diminishing water level. Mekorot CEO Ido Rosolio commented on the new achievement and said, "The linking of the desalination plant to the national water system not only adds more water to the system but constitutes the first stage in building the new national water carrier – the largest water project in Israel. "The supply of desalinated water through the new Mekorot national water system makes for an historic change which will enable integrated and cost-effective energy management."