Brussels, 27/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 26 May 2011, the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €142 million finance contract relating to the design and construction of a seawater desalination plant using reverse osmosis technology in Sorek, Israel.
The contract signed with the company Sorek Desalination Ltd will serve to substantially increase the availability of water resources in a water-scarce region, so enhancing the sustainability of Israel's water sector. In a press release, the IB underlines that building the plant will be of direct benefit to consumers and improve the quality of water distributed, and will ultimately result in markedly reduced water abstraction and thus prevent saline water intrusion into aquifers. The financing of this project forms part of the EIB's support for improving wastewater treatment facilities and drinking water supply in the regions. In Israel, in 2007 and 2009 the Bank supported the construction and extension of the Hadera desalination plant with loans totalling €130 million. In the Mediterranean region as a whole, it has devoted more than €1.05 billion to the water sector. (O.L./transl.jl)