Israel Faces Water Crisis as Storm Shuts Down 5 of 6 Desalination Plants

Israel's water system is experiencing an unprecedented disruption after five of its six coastal desalination plants were temporarily shut down due to unusually high seawater turbidity caused by a severe storm and extensive algae.

Water Authority and Mekorot officials stated the shutdown of turbines and pumping was a proactive measure to prevent damage to the sensitive desalination filters, explicitly ruling out cyberattacks or sabotage. The country's water management has shifted to emergency protocols, utilizing alternative sources and national reservoirs to compensate for the significant loss in desalinated water production.

To ensure a continuous supply of drinking and domestic water, the flow of fresh water to agriculture in southern and central Israel has been halted or drastically reduced. Many local authorities have also been instructed to cease watering public gardens and minimize non-essential water usage.

Reports of fluctuating water pressure, localized supply interruptions, and planned water outages have emerged from various municipalities and water corporations. While some desalination facilities are gradually resuming operations under close monitoring, national water regulation by Mekorot continues to affect water flow to numerous communities.

The city of Beit Shemesh issued a special notice to its residents about potential water supply disruptions in the coming hours, citing the national water issue and Mekorot's management. The local water corporation and municipality are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with national bodies to minimize impact on residents.