Israeli water technology in the news

What follows are links to a few recently published articles related to Israeli water companies and technologies.

Interview with AqWise CEO Elad Frenkel

AqWise last month raised $3.6 million to support its growth plans, which center on its AGAR (Attached Growth Airlift Reactor) technology and ecological water sanitation process for municipal, industrial and aquaculture wastewater treatment. In this interview, CEO Elad Frenkel discusses the global wastewater market and Aqwise's prospects.

"Stream Control" takes the pressure off water pipes

Stream Control, a graduate of the Yozmot HaEmek technological incubator, has developed a device called the Aquaguard Smart Pressure Reduction Controller, designed to ensure proper flow of water through municipal pipes, thus preventing leaks and saving both water and money.

CEO Shlomo Avitbul discusses the company in this article on Israel21c. "We just finished a major project in Jerusalem's old city, where our installations reduced leakage by 35%," Avitbul says, adding that the product is set to be deployed in a number of other cities in Israel in the coming months. The company is also working on several deals in Europe - specifically Spain, Germany, and Italy.

New technique adds magnesium to desalinated water

Technion researcher Dr. Ori Lahav has developed a new technique that cheaply introduces healthful magnesium ions to desalinated water. In a few months, a semi-industrial plant will be set up adjacent to the small desalination plant at Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael to try out the process in the field. It is expected to supply 400 to 1,000 cubic meters of mineral-enriched desalinated water per day. The new process will be presented at the upcoming conference of the Israel Water Association.

Dr. Lahav is a scientific adviser to AquaPure Technologies.

Arison Water Initiative completes Dorot acquisition

Arison Water Initiative today completed the acquisition of 96% of Dorot Water Technologies Ltd. for NIS 106 million, reflecting a company value of NIS 130 million, and disclosed details of the takeover, ending months of leaks to media. Kibbutz Dorot will continue to own 4% of the water valves and meters, filters, and irrigation equipment manufacturer, and its CEO, Avi Harpaz, will keep his job.

Arison Water Initiative disclosed that its business plan was approved in June 2007 and that it has been making investments in Israel and other countries since then. Former Mekorot National Water Company CEO Baruch "Booky" Oren is the CEO of the $100 million venture.

Arison Water Initiative said that Dorot Water Technologies, which was founded over 60 years ago, has been growing by 20% a year since 2002 as it established its range of valves and meters for agriculture and municipal water systems. 80% of the company's output is exported. The company has 220 employees.

Last month, Arison Water Initiative made its second investment: a $250,000 venture capital investment in StreamControl Ltd., which develops a comprehensive solution for leakage reduction by pressure management