Mekorot CEO: I don’t see any water supply disruptions

“Mekorot is the best company of its kind in the world,” Amit Lang, CEO of Mekorot, told Globes deputy editor Dror Marmor at the Globes Israel Business Conference.

Lang explained why, “The average depreciation of water supply systems in the world is 40% while in OECD countries it is 15% and in Mekorot it is 4%. Another example is that there is no management of water resources in any country.” A place in the world, while Mekorot transports water from wells in the north, from the Sea of ​​Galilee, desalinated water, and no matter how you measure it, Mekorot is at the top.”

Last year, the company faced a particularly difficult test: operating water supplies in combat zones and high-risk areas. During the war, Mekorot employees worked in the field in areas at risk of missile strikes, with sirens sounding and rockets falling, and despite all the dangers, they managed to maintain an uninterrupted water supply.

“Mekorot employees are very valuable, and the fact that the water supply is uninterrupted is a result of their professionalism and sense of responsibility,” Lang stressed.

“Basically preparing for extreme natural events.”

Marmor asked about concerns expressed before the war about the public potentially suffering from domestic water supplies. Lang responded that he never thought we would reach such a situation: “I kept saying that I don’t see a scenario where the water supply would be interrupted. Such a scenario is not a zero probability, but it is a very low probability.” “This possibility is because Mekorot prepared for extreme events, but not for this war.”

So what extreme events has the company prepared for? Lang explained that this is mainly due to the extreme natural events that strike the region from time to time. For example, in February of last year, severe Storm Barbara hit Israel, around the same time as a major earthquake in Türkiye. Lang said that the earthquake caused water drilling to stop in the Jordan Valley area, while the storm affected water desalination. “At the time, Israel’s water supply was not affected, but we were really close to it,” Lang said.

“After each such event, we conduct consultations, summaries and draw lessons, to reduce the possibility of disruption to the water supply, and the application of these lessons was also useful during the war.”

Mekorot continues to operate in various places around the world, especially in Argentina, where the company operates in ten regions. It also works in Azerbaijan, and has signed a contract in Kazakhstan, as well as “areas that want us and have water problems.” However, cooperation in our region has stopped. “We have done two projects in Bahrain, and we wanted to continue, but at the moment there is no one to talk to. They cut off contact. In Morocco, we were in contact with our counterpart company and they did not respond to us. We have received the message, and we are waiting and hoping that the situation in the region will stabilize.” . Finally, Marmur asked about the ongoing conflict between Mekorot and the government water authority. Lang said that the dispute relates to the proceeds from the sale of the desalination plant in Ashdod. “We were surprised that the Water Authority decided to interpret the agreement between us in an unacceptable way, and take a share that was due to us. We sat down several times and could not reach an understanding. I am committed to our company, and we cannot allow the Water Authority to do whatever it wants.”

The Globes Business Conference in Israel is held in cooperation with Bank Hapoalim and Phoenix Holdings, and is sponsored by El Al, Bezeq, Nespresso, Walt, Dell, the Israel Medical Association, Energean, the Jewish National Fund, BlackRock, Playtica, Meta, Strauss Group, Bazin Group, Inc. MSCI, with the participation of Mekorot, the Port of Ashdod, and the Israel Innovation Authority.

Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on December 17, 2024.

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