Israel Resumes Desalination Amid Algae Bloom, State to Cover Damage Costs

Israel's Water Authority is attempting to partially reactivate two of its six desalination plants, Palmachim and Sorek, despite unusually high turbidity in the Mediterranean Sea caused by an unprecedented algae bloom. The bloom, described as the worst in 20 years, has led to the shutdown of most desalination facilities over the past four days, as algae clogged the intake pipes and filtration systems.

Water Authority Director Yechiel Lipschitz stated that the decision to restart the plants, even with the risks, was made due to the extended duration of the crisis. He assured that the state would bear the costs of any damage incurred by the filtration systems, as the private companies operating the plants have been granted state indemnification. Lipschitz emphasized that the Authority would not allow significant damage to the facilities and would shut them down again if the situation worsens, avoiding excessive use of washes and chemicals.

The algae bloom, believed to originate from Egypt and flow northward, is not suspected to be a cyberattack. While the storm near Cyprus was initially considered a possible cause, the current assessment points to other factors, potentially linked to broader climatic phenomena. Samples have been sent to the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute for analysis, with the possibility of a connection to the 'Super El Niño' phenomenon being investigated.

Despite the shutdown, the impact on household water supply has been minimal, with supplementary supplies provided to some remote communities via tankers and existing reserves in the north. Farmers in the western Negev relying on treated wastewater were largely unaffected, though those dependent on fresh water for irrigation faced limitations. Lipschitz defended the water sector's emergency preparedness, stating it receives high marks, despite past criticisms from the State Comptroller.