Mekorot Water Company Ltd.

Mekorot is Israel’s National Water Company. For nearly 90 years, the company has embodied the unique Israeli spirit of ingenuity, boldness, pioneering and innovation. These values guide Mekorot in addressing the complex challenges of Israel’s water sector – from water scarcity and the ongoing climate crisis to safeguarding critical infrastructure amid persistent security threats.

Planning & Designing Israel’s Water Map from Pre-State Days

Mekorot was founded in the 1930s as a small water company with just six employees and an ambitious vision: to establish a national water system based on a comprehensive understanding of Israel’s water resources and needs. During the British Mandate, Mekorot established the first water supply system for drinking and agriculture in northern communities, later becoming the country’s first regional water system.

In the 1960s, the company completed the National Water Project with the construction of the National Water Carrier, transporting water from the Sea of Galilee in the north to communities in the south over approximately 130 kilometers. Since then, Mekorot has developed pioneering solutions to maximize Israel’s limited water resources, including advanced wastewater treatment and desalination facilities.

One of the World’s Leading and Most Efficient Water Companies

Mekorot is recognized as one of the world’s leading water companies. Its achievements have attracted professional delegations from around the world and contributed to Israel’s reputation as a global water technology leader.In 2022, Global Water Intelligence (GWI) selected Mekorot to join its forum of the world’s 60 leading water companies. In 2020, Israel’s water sector ranked fourth globally in the GWI ranking, with Mekorot recognized for outstanding operational efficiency. Its annual water loss rate of approximately 4% is significantly lower than the 15% average in developed countries, alongside strong capabilities in infrastructure, research and water resource management.

Supplying Water and Services to Approximately 13 Million Consumers

Mekorot supplies nearly 1.8 billion cubic meters of water annually to households, agriculture and industry throughout Israel. The company also supplies water and services to the Palestinian Authority and the Kingdom of Jordan pursuant to international agreements.

Mekorot operates approximately 11,000 kilometers of pipelines, 3,000 production and supply facilities, 1,000 wells, 1,000 water reservoirs and storage basins, and approximately 20 desalination facilities. The company invests approximately NIS 1.5 billion annually and operates under a three-year development plan approved by regulators and government ministries.

Knowledge, Experience and Capabilities

With nearly 90 years of accumulated knowledge and experience, Mekorot combines technological innovation, multidisciplinary expertise and financial strength. The company focuses on four key areas: investments in startups, business collaborations, patent development and innovation. Its proven capabilities and strong human capital enable Mekorot to implement a circular water economy, develop mega-projects and lead advanced water management and operational processes.

Financial Strength

Since 2003, Mekorot has maintained the highest financial strength rating, ilAAA, awarded by Maalot S&P. In 2019, the company became a reporting corporation and was listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange following its first-ever public debt offering. Since then, Mekorot has raised more than NIS 6 billion while maintaining its high credit rating.

Integrated Water Solutions

Mekorot provides integrated water solutions based on expertise across the entire water cycle. These include advanced water conveyance management and operation, integration of diverse water sources, seawater and brackish water desalination, wastewater treatment and recycling, water resource enhancement, water quality management and water security.

Innovation and Digitalization

Mekorot uses advanced IT and OT technologies to drive comprehensive digital transformation, improve the speed, efficiency and security of information flows, enable paperless operations and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure against cyber threats.

The company also continues to deploy innovative water technologies. Among other initiatives, Mekorot is deploying a fiber-optic network along its water pipelines, creating high-speed communications infrastructure capable of reaching locations throughout Israel.

Mekorot for Future Generations

Mekorot leads a sustainable development policy focused on protecting water resources and the environment for future generations. Since 2014, the company has participated in the Maala Index, which evaluates companies according to social, environmental, sustainability and corporate responsibility criteria. In the 2021–2025 Maala Index, Mekorot received the highest rating – Platinum+. The company independently reports its greenhouse gas emissions to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and measures its carbon footprint in accordance with accepted methodologies. In 2021, Mekorot published its ESG Report in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Israel’s largest civilian electricity consumer, the company is committed to reducing energy consumption. Mekorot has launched an innovative project to install photovoltaic systems over its water reservoirs. The company is also promoting electricity storage facilities and hydrogen-based power generation.

Mekorot as an International Ambassador

Mekorot is Israel’s primary water supplier, conveying approximately 65% of the country’s total water supply and serving approximately 78% of domestic water consumption. The company also supplies water to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Abraham Accords have opened new international business opportunities for Mekorot. In March 2021, the company became the first Israeli government-owned infrastructure company to operate in the Persian Gulf, following the signing of a development agreement with the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In September 2021, Mekorot completed the doubling of its water supply to Jordan, and in April 2022 signed an agreement to develop Azerbaijan’s water sector. The company has since signed agreements and memoranda of understanding with Kazakhstan, Singapore, Morocco, Argentina, Chile, India and Cyprus.

Mekorot Management

Danny Sofer, Acting CEO – Previously served as Deputy CEO; VP of Operations and Maintenance; Acting VP of Organization and Administration; Manager of the Central Region; Manager of the Jordan Valley District; Operations Engineer in the South Yarkon Unit; and Manager of the Shafdan Unit. He holds an M.B.A. in Business Administration from the College of Management Academic Studies and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Water and Soil Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Adv. Moshe Shimoni, Chairman of the Board – Previously served as Chairman of the Board of the Environmental Services Company Ltd.; Chairman of the Employment Service Council; CEO and Chairman of Ono Academic College in Jerusalem; and Director General of the Ministry of Religious Services. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Railways Ltd., Director at R.G.A. Israel (1987) Ltd., and Director at Aura Investments Ltd. He holds an LL.B. in Law from Shaarei Mishpat Academic Center.