Israel's Desalination Crisis Continues as Algae Clog Systems

A week after a crisis began impacting Israel's desalination plants, energy and water officials are concerned the disruption could last for several more weeks. The Water Authority has yet to release the results of a controversial experiment conducted last Wednesday, where crop dusters sprayed copper-based substances off the coast of Ashkelon in an attempt to dissolve microscopic algae threatening the plants' filtration systems. While the Water Authority initially stated results would be available within 48 hours, they remain undisclosed.

The continued shutdown of the Ashkelon and Ashdod desalination facilities due to high turbidity levels indicates that a solution has not yet been found. Most other plants are operating at reduced capacity. The Hadera plant is the only one functioning normally since the crisis began. The Palmachim, Sorek A, and Sorek B plants are operating partially, fearing full operation could lead to their systems being blocked by the algae.

Following a situation assessment, the Ministry of Energy and Water Authority reported "stability in the systems" and that water supply, including for agriculture, continues as usual. This follows significant pumping increases from the Sea of Galilee by Mekorot over the weekend, replenishing reservoirs nationwide. The authorities also announced plans to "purchase a dedicated stock of membranes" for the desalination plants, which could number in the thousands, to replace potentially blocked systems. This purchase will be state-funded, based on an agreement between the Water Authority director and plant managers.

Despite repeated assurances from Energy Minister Eli Cohen and the Water Authority last week that the crisis was nearing its end, officials stated that teams are "continuing to manage the event continuously and around the clock, ensuring the resilience of the water economy and the full continuity of supply to all citizens." They urged the public to "act efficiently and responsibly in water use."

According to a senior water economy official, at least five research groups are actively seeking a solution to the algae problem, in addition to the Ashkelon experiment. This experiment, he claimed, was "controlled and received the approval of all relevant parties, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health." Despite Health Ministry participation in the pre-experiment discussions, the ministry issued a precautionary recommendation against fishing in the area afterward. No official body had previously reported the experiment to the public, during which Chem-Nir company planes sprayed substances over high algae concentration areas.