Israeli Water Authority Warned of Desalination Plant Shutdowns in 2024

An Israeli Knesset subcommittee meeting in May 2024, focused on preparedness for marine pollution events affecting desalination plants, highlighted significant risks to the country's water supply. Eyal Schreiber, director of the Desalination Division at the Water Authority, warned during the session that oil spills or microbial contamination could cause irreparable damage to desalination facilities, potentially leading to shutdowns lasting three to six months and costing tens of millions of shekels.

Schreiber explained that if oil slicks enter the intake pipes, they could clog filters and membranes, requiring extensive repairs. The question of who would bear the cost of such damage was raised, with Schreiber noting it would depend on whether the event was deemed an act of God, in which case the state would likely pay, or not, in which case the concessionaire would be liable. However, he also pointed out that concession agreements may obligate companies to undertake mitigation efforts even in force majeure events.

The committee's then-chairman, MK Ze'ev Elkin, expressed concern about the potential impact of multiple plant failures, given their geographical proximity along the coast. He posited a scenario where three or four out of five plants could be affected, warning that "it would be a drama for the water economy." Schreiber agreed, stating that while one or two plant shutdowns could be managed for a period, a larger-scale failure would significantly impact supply, particularly to agriculture, potentially reducing it by 20%.

Currently, more than a week after the first desalination plant shutdown, facilities in Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Sorek 1 remain non-operational. Sorek 2 and Palmahim are functioning partially. The article suggests that sewage from Gaza may be a contributing factor to the current crisis, though neither Schreiber nor Elkin directly addressed the ongoing situation in their remarks during the May meeting.