Mekorot’s experience in preparing for emergency situations Presented by: Mr. Sion Cohen V.P. for Planning & Infrastructure Development May 2006

Our July 2001 “Wakeup Call” Four tons of Ammonia accidentally flowed into the National Water Carrier The decision process was flawed and the contamination reached the consumers The Ministry of Health Water issued a no-use of water Panic through out the central district

We had to do something, fast and skip to a higher level that enabled a more effective response The Outcome

Ground Water Cloud Seeding Surface Water Desalination Reuse water Control Systems Water Resources Management Sources Wells Agriculture, Municipal Sector, Industry and Neighbors ( Jordanians and Palestinians) Brackish Water Sea Water Drinking Water Sewage Water Water Security Technological Improvements Water Quality Quality Mekorot – Israel’s National Water Company

Total Assets- 3b US$ AAA rating 600 m US$ revenue 200 m US$ development 2,000 employees Mekorot – Israel’s National Water Company

Water Resources Reuse Desalination Control Systems Water Security R&D Mekorot’s Activities Water QualityWells R&D

The National Water Supply Annual Water Consumption in million m 3 (m.c.m.) Based on 2005 figures Total ,063

A limited supply of water situated with 4 major sources: The See of Galilee The mountain aquifer The coastal aquifer Desalination Main Water Sources

increasing consumption of water. million m3 Mekorot – Domestic Consumption

Dafnia and small fish Elephant Fish Biosensors for Water Security

The Need Managing and operating correctly during emergency situations is essential to minimize effects

Guidelines and Procedures Improving crisis management Training Exercises Organizational Preparedness

Constant Improvement Roadmap for Upgrading Emergency and Security Preparedness Identifying gaps Preparing procedures Coordinating the procedures Training and workshops at all levels Exercises at all levels Extensive debriefing Surprise exercises Lessons learnt Work plan for improvement

Important Points for Crisis Management Implement simple and workable procedures Use a uniform language within the organization and other agencies Creating strong cooperation and coordination with all parties

Assimilate the procedures. Preparing a decision support system that determines whether the information gathered commands an emergency situation and when to shift from the routine to emergency mode. Deploy situation rooms for crisis control Important Points for Crisis Management – cont…

Provide uniform modes of communication for accurate reporting Training management on how to arrive at an accurate and reliable situation assessment – “connecting the dots” Extensive exercises

Eng. Team Info. center Authorities reps. Video Conference Professional Teamwork Situation Rooms

Situation Rooms Deployment Jordan District Northern District Central District Southern District Head Office Legend unit district

Managerial Team Flow Chart for Emergency Situations Initial data assessment Determining the severity of the event Reporting Complementary data collection Arriving at situation assessment Verification that operational orders mitigated the problem Operational orders - who, when and where Back to routine Threshold trigger

Grading the Event All events are graded based on the apparent severity. The severity grade dictates who manages the event, who to report to, what feedback is required and the resources to be allocated etc.

Severity Grade This is based on a standard table for grading the event. The grade takes into account: the number of anticipated people effected, the level of contamination, complaints of illness media involvement professional assessment of situation previous historical events at same location other factors

All procedures and guidelines must be learnt by the employees, by way of theoretical and “on-site” training. Periodic training includes “table top” and field exercises at all levels Training

Points for preparing exercises Pre-determine the goals and lessons to be learnt. Investigate the various agencies that will participate in water emergency events, Prepare several complete scenarios for each exercise. Assign a silent controller to every participant. Provide time for a detailed and extended debriefing period. Preparing a detailed work plan for improvement

Added Value Fifty percent of the goal is achieved by pre-exercise preparation. A reduction in the number of water quality and water security events has been shown. Discovering weak points in the system without being in real crisis. Proper response in times of crisis at all levels Uniform language between the participants and other agencies

Summary and Recommendations Mekorot has over the past five years upgraded its preparedness several levels This is been by investing in monitoring systems, DSS models, situation rooms, uniform procedures and guidelines, training and exercises. Collaboration with other agencies and consumers has risen tremendously.

This methodology actually works in preparing a large water company. It is a long process and must be directed with full commitment by top management. With enough patience it is possible to achieve excellent results. Summary and Recommendations – cont…

Thank you