HADERA, Israel - After weeks of extensive water quality testing, Israel's third desalination plant, built in the northern coastal city of Hadera, is partially operational.

At the end of January, the plant will receive its official desalination permit.

The two fully operational desalination facilities are located in Ashkelon, about 12 miles north of the border with the Gaza Strip, and Palmachim, south of Tel Aviv.

The Hadera plant - the largest of its kind in the world - has already begun transferring small quantities of desalinated water to Mekorot, Israel's national water carrier. At full capacity, the plant expects to produce some 127 cubic meters of per year.

Together with the plants at Ashkelon and Palmachim, Israel will be producing 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually.

"The supply of desalinated water through the new Mekorot national water system constitutes an historic change that will enable integrated and cost-effective energy management," Mekorot CEO Ido Rosolio said.

Source: YNet news