Israel's Mekorot eyes desalination plant in Río Negro

Officials from Israeli firm Mekorot Water Company are analyzing building a desalination plant to provide water to part of Argentine province Río Negro, the local government reported in a release. The plant would supply potable water to the localities of Sierra Grande and Playas Doradas. The initiative is part of a bilateral cooperation and collaboration agreement signed between Río Negro and Mekorot Water Company. A technical committee is currently doing a number of studies in the area to determine the project's feasibility. The firm is one of Israel's main public entities and is responsible for providing water to 90% of the country's population. Río Negro is in Argentina's Patagonia region. Sierra Grande and Playas Doradas are noted tourist attractions, but are also well known for their mining activities, mainly in iron production.