Mekorot to Build Desalination Plant in Israel

Israeli water firm Mekorot has signed an agreement with the Israeli Government for the construction of a desalination plant in the coastal city of Ashdod, Israel.

Mekotor will build and operate the NIS1.5bn ($422m) plant, which will employ reverse osmosis technology.

The plant will have the capacity to produce 100 million cubic metres of desalinated seawater per year, which is equal to 15% of Israel’s household water use.

Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said that the water will cost NIS2.4 per cubic metre.

Construction of the plant is expected to be complete by 2013, reports Reuters.