Five of Six Israeli Desalination Plants Offline Due to Algae Bloom

Five out of six Mediterranean desalination plants in Israel were shut down Tuesday morning due to water turbidity, likely caused by algae originating from the Nile Delta in Egypt. The Water Authority announced that as a result of the shutdowns, which began on Saturday for some facilities, public gardening and agricultural activities will be reduced, along with other public water uses. Water supply to homes will continue, though usage in areas with specific issues will be limited and addressed by the Water Authority's operations center. Farmers in the south have been instructed not to irrigate their fields.

The large desalination plant in Hadera remains operational, but facilities in Ashkelon, Ashdod, Palmahim, Sorek 1, and Sorek 2 are offline. The Sorek plants briefly operated at partial capacity, offering temporary relief, before being shut down again due to water conditions. The Eilat desalination plant is operating normally.

Initial investigations by the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR) suggest the turbidity is caused by a microalgae bloom, likely originating from the Nile Delta. These tiny algae can bypass the intake filters of the desalination plants. While algae blooms are natural phenomena influenced by weather, currents, and organic matter, their specific triggers and locations are not always understood.

Satellite imagery has shown large algae blooms in the Nile Delta region. Experts believe that currents in the eastern Mediterranean are carrying materials, including sand, from the Nile. "It would not be surprising that what bloomed in the Nile Delta region will also reach southern Israel," explained Alon Zask, CEO of IOLR. The Ashkelon plant, the southernmost facility, was the first to be shut down, consistent with this pattern, though other factors like water depth can influence the spread.