Israel's Desalination Plants Halt Operations Again Due to High Water Turbidity

Most of Israel's desalination plants were shut down again on Tuesday morning, marking the second such halt within 24 hours. The temporary shutdown occurred due to a sharp increase in the turbidity of seawater, which prevented the facilities from operating. Efforts had been made overnight to temporarily restore operations after an initial shutdown on Monday afternoon.

The Water Authority has instructed local authorities to immediately reduce public gardening irrigation and agricultural water usage, as well as water consumption in public spaces. However, the authority assured that regular water supply to households continues, with targeted responses provided for any localized difficulties.

The initial shutdown on Monday afternoon affected plants south of Hadera, prompted by unusual weather conditions. Residents in the Shfela, Central, and Southern regions were advised to prepare for potential water disruptions, with temporary interruptions reported in Givatayim, Rishon Lezion, and Jerusalem.

The National Cyber Directorate clarified that the shutdowns are not the result of a cyberattack on critical infrastructure. They attributed the problem solely to the recent abnormal weather, which has altered the composition and quality of the seawater.