Relocation of Mekorot Water Main – Raanana

Client: Mekorot Water Company – Central District

Project Overview

As part of the development of a new residential neighborhood in the south‑eastern area of Raanana, an extensive infrastructure relocation program was required, including electricity, drainage, water systems, and additional public infrastructure. One of the key components of the project was the relocation of a primary Mekorot water main, constructed of asbestos cement, running along the city’s south‑eastern boundary.

The project included the relocation of the water main along several hundred meters, adding to terminal connections of existing systems, and the integration of complementary infrastructure for Raanana’s Waters Ltd. In order to maintain uninterrupted water supply, a temporary above‑ground bypass was planned and implemented, enabling continuous operation of the system throughout the water main relocation process and the decommissioning of the existing asbestos pipeline alignment.

Role of the Company

Balasha‑Jalon led the full scope of detailed engineering planning for the water main relocation project, including:

• Comprehensive process planning and full infrastructure coordination.
• Civil engineering design, including constructability‑oriented solutions under complex site conditions.
• Design of cathodic protection systems and mitigation measures against electrical interference.
• Professional consultancy services for Mekorot and Raanana’s Waters Ltd.
• High‑level engineering oversight during the implementation of the new pipeline alignment, the temporary bypass system, and the decommissioning of the existing asbestos pipeline.

Project Challenges

• Engineering for a narrow and constrained corridor, requiring tailored technical solutions.
• Crossing and decommissioning of an existing asbestos pipeline in compliance with stringent safety regulations.
• Maintaining continuous operation of the water supply network throughout the project duration.
• Addressing potential impacts from adjacent electrical infrastructure and defining appropriate protection measures.
• Close coordination with multiple infrastructure stakeholders under tight schedules.

Solutions and Engineering Innovation

• Detailed execution‑support planning stages that enabled installation of a new pipeline along the alignment of the existing one.
• Engineering design of a temporary above‑ground bypass to ensure uninterrupted water supply until completion of the works.
• Use of temporary shoring systems to address soil conditions and limited working space.
• Full multidisciplinary coordination and implementation of advanced on‑site procedures.
• Integration of dedicated solutions to neutralize electrical interference effects on the pipeline.

Key Technical Data

• New steel water main, 30‑inch diameter
• Pipeline alignment relocation over approximately 520 meters
• Integration of cathodic protection systems coordinated with nearby electrical infrastructure

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Project Status:

✅ Completed successfully