Nile Delta Algae Bloom Disrupts Israeli Water Desalination Plants

Initial investigations by researchers at the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute suggest that a massive bloom of microalgae, likely originating from the Nile Delta, is responsible for the recent turbidity in the Mediterranean Sea that has disrupted most of Israel's water desalination plants. The phenomenon caused five plants, including Ashdod, Ashkelon, Sorek 1, Sorek 2, and Palmahim, to cease operations. Sorek 1 and Sorek 2 resumed operations on Monday evening, with Ashdod and Palmahim expected to restart soon. The Hadera and Eilat desalination plants remained operational. In response to the reduced capacity, water consumption measures were implemented, such as halting irrigation of fields in southern Israel and suspending the watering of public gardens in several towns.

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen stated that Israel's water sector is robust and that authorities ensured water supply continuity despite weather-related disruptions. The algae's small size allows it to bypass some filtration systems at the desalination plant intakes. Algal blooms are natural phenomena influenced by weather, currents, and organic matter, typically subsiding after a period. Researchers are conducting genetic analysis of collected samples to identify the algae species and determine if they produce toxins.

Satellite imagery, according to the institute, revealed extensive algal growth in the Nile Delta region. Researchers theorize that Mediterranean currents are transporting materials, including sand and organic matter, from the Nile area to Israel's southern coast. Alon Zask, Director-General of the institute, noted that the Ashkelon plant, being the southernmost, was the first to stop, and the bloom's spread could be influenced by water depth, as plants draw water from varying depths.

Experts warn that the incident highlights the need to bolster Israel's water reserves and increase desalination output while preserving natural sources like the Sea of Galilee and groundwater for emergencies. Professor David Katz of the University of Haifa's Environmental Sciences department explained that while Nile Delta algae are common, the current event involves an unusually large and widespread bloom reaching the Israeli coast. He also cited sand and sewage as potential contributors to water turbidity, which, combined with the algae, led to the plant shutdowns.

Experts suggest that while completely preventing algal blooms is impractical, their impact can be mitigated through early satellite monitoring and maintaining sufficient water reserves. A new desalination plant in the western Galilee is expected to enter service soon, providing additional geographical redundancy and reducing reliance on a few coastal facilities.