Population surges and climate change are alerting nations worldwide that water supplies are finite and security cannot be assumed. Still, Danny Sofer, interim CEO of Mekorot, vows that "even our great-grandchildren will have water pouring from their faucets." He credits Israel's water industry for staying strong against tough odds.

Trained in water and mechanical engineering, Sofer knew early on he wanted to focus on water infrastructure.

"Water gripped me as a teen," he recalls. "I dove into irrigation work, setting up systems for gardens and farms - it thrilled me beyond just a job. I truly loved it."

"That passion drove me to water engineering at the Technion, followed by mechanical engineering. On a student tour, Mekorot struck me as ideal - a low-profile powerhouse matching my goals. I started there at 28, fresh from school, and have stayed ever since."

His 39-year rise at Mekorot realizes a lifelong ambition. He launched as an operations engineer in the South Yarkon unit, then led Shafdan, the Central District, and Jordan Valley. He advanced to acting deputy director-general for organization, deputy CEO for operations and maintenance, and deputy CEO.

Since January 1 this year, he has acted as CEO pending official confirmation. "I never dreamed of reaching the top when I joined," he confesses.

His tenure has tackled many obstacles.

"As a central Israel operations engineer, we battled to get water to Jerusalem pre-mainline hookup. Summers meant slashing farm allocations in Judean Foothills to prioritize the city."

"I helped craft the fourth Jerusalem pipeline, boosting reliability. With an electrical engineer, we rolled out fiber-optic and satellite remote controls, ditching the old 'Peugeot era' of manual drives to toggle flows. It set the standard for north and south."

"Next, at the National Water Carrier, we launched the central filtration plant treating Sea of Galilee water. I co-initiated the fifth Jerusalem line, now live, tunneling from Eshtaol Junction to Ein Kerem to spare the hills."

"We also ramped up Judea and Samaria supplies. Desalinated seawater from contractors became key - Mekorot buys and distributes it. It's tricky: we absorb it nonstop, unlike storable lake or aquifer water. We honor supplier commitments, spreading it nationwide for price stability."

"This keeps desal plants running full tilt. As more come online, seasonal demand swings grow sharper."

Desalination countered prolonged droughts. Israelis expect instant top-tier tap water, but Sofer notes, "Neighbors envy us - summer shortages plague them."

Israel enforces some of the globe's toughest water quality rules, a feat for Mekorot blending four sources.

The Sea of Galilee's Enduring Role

Has the Sea of Galilee turned symbolic over Israel's primary source?

"It will always supply water," Sofer insists. "We keep aquifers and lake at 'green line' levels, using desal to refill as needed. It serves locals, shines in crises, and aids routine ops."

"With 2-3% yearly population growth and shrinking natural supplies, we must add a 100-million-cubic-meter desal every three years - or 200 million every six."

"Annually, we inject 30 million more cubic meters to safeguard reserves for tough periods."

What Counts as Tough Periods?

"A desal outage from failure or attack could sideline it for months or years. Backups from other plants or naturals like the Galilee are vital."

"Desal surplus fills needs first, then recharges aquifers via wells or the lake in winter."

"This winter, Galilee levels dipped unusually - unprecedented. But we tested refilling, adding centimeters experimentally."

Guiding Global Water Efforts

War has tested Israel's water ops, with Mekorot sustaining civilians and border troops.

"Our war protocol prioritizes: we cut ag water to secure drinking supplies."

"Yet northern farmers persisted amid Hezbollah fire, so we kept their flows. We paused service to empty evacuated areas on request, resuming swiftly post-stabilization."

"We also piped water to pop-up IDF sites, even adding heaters for Gaza border and Golan showers. They earn our full support."

Mekorot consults for Argentina, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Morocco, Cyprus, India, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan - aiding designs and controls.

"We craft master plans," Sofer says. "In Azerbaijan, a Caspian mega-desal is underway. Deals now cover UAE and Bahrain."

"Our edge: slashing losses to 4% here versus 50% elsewhere. I'm proud."

"These ties advance diplomacy, especially with Muslim allies. Thanks to Energy Minister Eli Cohen, Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem, and Government Companies Authority for spotting climate-diplomacy potential."

Interest in Lebanon and Syria?

"I'd eagerly assist there. Litani River waste could hydrate both Israel and Lebanon."

NIS 1.5 Billion Yearly for Infrastructure

Spanning four continents, Mekorot handles 65% of Israel's water, 77% drinking water, via 12,000 km pipelines and 2,000 staff.

It manages 1,000 wells, 20 desal sites, invests NIS 1.5 billion yearly, and backs 10 startups, Sofer boasts.

Revenues rose year-over-year, but 2025 accounting tweaks yielded a NIS 741 million net loss.

How So?

"Absent late-2025 rules, we'd net NIS 300 million profit. As a public firm, regulatory talks continue - we seek fair equity returns."

Current Priorities?

"Unifying the national grid coast-to-coast."

"Katzrin pipeline links Golan; Beit She'an to Jordan Valley follows."

"Trans-Samaria Route 5 nears finish from Carrier to Samaria; Gush Etzion to Hebron ties in Judea-Samaria."

"Dimona-Hatzeva line connects central Arava."

"Western Galilee desal starts in two years; intakes head to Achziv-Nahariya and Carmiel-Upper Galilee."

Timeline for Full Unity?

"Five to six years tops."

Why Crucial?

"Eliminates outages. Dual-plus sources per area ensure flow despite breakdowns."

"Power fixes take hours; pipes, weeks. Alternatives bridge gaps."

"We sustain all assets, including 64-year-old Carrier - eyeing 30 more years."

"Strategic planning and vast infrastructure make Israel's water world-leadingly stable."