The government has signed agreements with the operators of the three seawater desalination facilities at Ashkelon, Palmachim, and Hadera to expand production by 25%, adding 57 million cubic meters of fresh water a year to the nation's supply.
Over the next six months, the desalination facilities will increase their aggregate output by 10 million cubic meters, with the full increase coming on line by the end of 2010. The Ministry of Finance estimates that most of the additional fresh water will be available ahead of schedule.
Yesterday, the Water Authority unveiled its emergency plan to impose a drought levy on anyone who exceeds their water quotas. Water Authority director Prof. Uri Shani added its PR campaign for water conservation was a temporary solution until the real solution - desalination - was ready.
Israel's accumulated water deficit is two billion cubic meters.
The VID consortium of IDE Technologies Ltd. and Veolia Water SA owns the 105-million cubic meter desalination plant at Ashkelon. IDE is owned in equal shares by Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) and Israel Chemicals Ltd. (TASE: ICL). The Via Maris Desalination Ltd. consortium, owned by Granite Hacarmel Investments Ltd. (TASE: GRNT) and B. Gaon Holdings Ltd. (TASE: GAON) owns the 30-million cubic meter facility at Palmachim. The H2ID consortium, owned by Shikun u'Binui Holdings Ltd. (Housing and Construction) (TASE: HUCN) and IDE owns 100-million cubic meter facility at Hader, which is still under construction.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 7, 2009
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