Mekorot, Israel's national water company, opened the new Shluhot Reservoir in the Emek HaMaayanot region on Tuesday. The step forms part of a NIS 600 million national infrastructure project that will link the Beit She'an region, Emek HaMaayanot and the Jordan Valley to the National Water System.

The event drew Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen, Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Eliyahu Revivo, Mekorot Chairman Moshe Shimoni, Acting CEO Dani Sofer, members of the Levy family and senior company officials.

Named for former deputy prime minister David Levy, the reservoir belongs to a project that features roughly 50 kilometers of 64-inch pipeline. Mekorot reports the work will raise supply reliability, expand overall capacity and support local agriculture.

The company noted the project ends more than 70 years of reliance on local wells alone. When finished next year, the government-backed link to the national network will boost water security and aid population growth plus regional development.

The system blends water from local wells with supplies from the National Water System, creating a more stable and adaptable flow for daily use and emergencies alike.

At the heart of the effort stands the new Shluhot Reservoir, which holds about 10,000 cubic meters. Built for roughly NIS 18 million, the reservoir is now active and set to serve the area for decades.

Mekorot highlighted engineering hurdles such as mountainside excavation and slope stabilization, all handled while limiting environmental effects and blending the works into the landscape.

Minister Eli Cohen chose to name the reservoir after David Levy, adding deeper meaning. Levy arrived from North Africa in 1957, settled in Beit She'an and rose to senior ministerial posts.

Cohen called Levy part of a generation of giants and praised his proud representation of the periphery. He described the naming as a great privilege.

Chairman Moshe Shimoni said the name ties national infrastructure to Levy's legacy of service. He added that the project will secure water for the Beit She'an region for many years ahead.

Acting CEO Dani Sofer stated that the connection will strengthen supply security for residents, authorities and farms. He noted the area will now gain infrastructure ready for future growth in population and agriculture.