Egypt Turbidity Shuts Down Most Israeli Desalination Plants Again

Nearly all of Israel's desalination plants were shut down again on Tuesday morning due to a plume of turbid seawater originating from the Egyptian coast. The shutdown, which follows a similar disruption on Monday, forced operators to halt operations at most facilities along the Mediterranean coast. The only plant currently functioning normally is the Hadera facility.

The Water Authority has instructed a reduction in public gardening and agricultural water usage, though supply to homes will continue. However, localized issues with water pressure may occur. The National Emergency Management Authority issued alerts for potential disruptions in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, Ma'ale Adumim, and Beit Shemesh.

This renewed shutdown exacerbates the water supply problems that began Monday when adverse weather conditions affected seawater quality. Residents in the south, including Sderot, have already reported low water pressure and a halt in irrigation supplies. The Water Authority is investigating the turbidity, while the Mekorot water company is increasing production from available sources.

Concerns about a potential cyberattack on water infrastructure were raised following Monday's initial shutdown. However, industry sources and the National Cyber Directorate confirmed the issue was due to seawater turbidity, not a cyber incident. The agricultural sector, particularly in communities near the Egyptian border, faces significant concern, with one farmer warning of a threat to national food security and millions in investments.