Massive Algae Bloom Halts Israeli Desalination Plants, Threatens Water Supply

Israel has temporarily halted five of its six Mediterranean coast desalination plants due to a rare and massive bloom of algae, described as a phenomenon not seen in approximately 30 years. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen attributed the crisis to large accumulations of algae originating from the Nile River. The algae disrupted the operation of the desalination facilities, leading authorities to activate reserve water sources to maintain supply to the public.

Cohen confirmed that while localized water supply issues may have occurred in some areas, the reserve capacity, including water from wells and the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), prevented a complete cutoff. He specifically dismissed the possibility of a cyberattack, citing satellite imagery that confirmed the natural origin of the problem and showed the algae moving from the Nile.

Efforts are underway to restore the affected desalination plants to full operation, with some already back online. Water supply to the agricultural sector has also been resumed. To expedite the recovery process, Israel has engaged an international company to treat the algae blooms from the air, aiming to disperse them and mitigate their impact on water infrastructure.