Mekorot: Leading Innovation in the Water Sector
The national water company is leading a technological revolution in the water sector through collaborations with startups and the establishment of a research and innovation center to address climate challenges. "Technological innovation is a growth engine and a tool for dealing with the climate crisis," say company officials.
For the past 15 months, the national water company, Mekorot, has been managing the national water sector in the face of numerous challenges, some related to water supply and some to the need to find solutions and possibilities to continue supplying a life-sustaining product, even when it was clear that current events don't necessarily allow field access.
Mekorot supplies over 1.7 billion cubic meters of water annually to homes, agricultural fields, and industrial plants throughout Israel. The company provides water and services to both private and public sectors, as well as to the Palestinian Authority and the Kingdom of Jordan, under diplomatic agreements. Mekorot operates approximately 11,000 km of pipeline, 3,000 production and supply facilities, 1,200 wells, 1,000 water reservoirs and pools, and about 20 desalination facilities.
The company has accumulated investments of 1.5-2 billion shekels annually, and a three-year development plan pre-approved by various regulators and government ministries. [allocated capital already committed to future investment?..]
One of the insights Mekorot derived from the events of recent months is that investment in innovation can ensure the survival of the water sector in the face of various limitations or challenges, such as national emergencies. In June 2024, the national water company launched its annual innovation and research conference at Tel Aviv University, which featured all the main innovation initiatives, research programs, and key collaborations of Mekorot with academic institutions, regulators, and other players in the water sector. The main goal of the conference was to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in academia, Mekorot, and entire water sector in general.
"One of our unique growth engines at Mekorot is our commitment to developing methods adapted to company needs and integrating them into our daily activities. This is an important growth source for the water sector and the company, both domestically and internationally," said Amit Lang, CEO of Mekorot, at the conference.
Collaborations with startups
The conference featured an exhibition demonstrating the collaboration between startup companies and Mekorot. The display provided attendees firsthand impressions of the activities of Mekorot engineers. Here's a glimpse at some of these collaborations:
Rapida: An AI-based cloud platform equipped with unique machine learning and computer vision algorithms. It uses advanced technology for measuring, predicting, and ensuring the structural health of infrastructure and service facilities.
Aquatis: Focuses on protecting the "heart of water systems:" pumps, blowers, and other rotating equipment. Leveraging the legacy of Mekorot in water supply and conservation, Aquatis provides solutions ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of critical water infrastructure.
IXDen: A rapidly developing company aiming to reshape OT team operations and improve the cybersecurity of infrastructure endpoints. Its innovative solutions are designed to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats and improve operational efficiency.
CQM Water: Patented technology enabling the on-site production of oxidant mixture (mainly hypochlorite) on demand, eliminating the need for transportation, storage and demanding maintenance of hazardous materials, such as gaseous/liquid hypochlorite and cleaning acids.
Bimmatch: An AI-based platform serving as a central repository for all organizational BIM projects. It enables easy sharing of knowledge, engineering requirements, specifications, and 3D BIM data across the organization.
Mekorot uses these solutions both to improve the local water sector and as part of international operations on five continents (see box). The company notes that continued development and implementation of advanced water technologies will enable dealing with current and future challenges and ensure the availability of clean, safe water for future generations, even under the constraints of climate crisis and global warming.
Research and development to address the climate crisis
In April 2024, Mekorot signed an agreement with the Dan Cities Association for Environmental Infrastructure (IGUDAN) to establish a national water research and innovation center. The center will be established within the technological incubator of IGUDAN, to be built in the Rishon LeZion area, and will include research laboratories, training rooms, and offices for academic and private sector researchers.
The establishment of the research and innovation center was driven by the desire to integrate knowledge in water treatment accumulated in Israel , and with the understanding that climate crisis and global warming will exacerbate the need to supply water to all consumers while maintaining high quality and maximum operational efficiency. At its the new research and innovation center, Mekorot intends to host startups, international courses, academic research, Innovation Authority programs, Ministry of Energy Chief Scientist programs, and international collaborations.
It is not the first agreement between the parties, and Mekorot has been serving as the operating contractor for Shafdan, the largest Israeli wastewater treatment facility, which processes daily wastewater from about 2.5 million people living in more than 20 local authorities in central Israel. The water undergoes recycling at several levels and is channeled for reuse in agriculture, mainly in the South, as far as Arava.
The new agreement will be in force for eight years, with the option to extend for up to 24 years, and will include a dedicated site for running pilot projects for water services and products, both Israeli and from around the world. Engineering VP of Mekorot, Yossi Yaakov, explains that the new center is expected to begin operations in the coming years and is expected to attract the academic community, government ministries, and the Israeli and international water community.
Involvement in water projects worldwide
One of the key activities of Mekorot at the international level is its involvement in water projects worldwide. Through knowledge and technology sharing, Mekorot collaborates with other countries, such as Argentina, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Chile, Cyprus, and India, to improve their water management. For example, in Azerbaijan, Mekorot led the development of master plans for the agricultural sector and recently, offered professional guidance for the establishment of the desalination facility there. These projects provide immediate relief and contribute to long-term sustainability by promoting efficient use and water management.
In collaboration with Mekorot
