Israel Faces Extended Water Crisis as Desalination Plants Remain Affected

Israel's water crisis, now over a week old, shows no immediate end in sight, according to Energy Minister Eli Cohen. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Cohen revealed that the ministry is preparing contingency plans, including backup filters for desalination plants and extending water intake pipes westward, at an estimated cost of tens of millions of shekels. Despite previous assurances of an impending resolution, the bloom of algae continues to affect operations.

Currently, two desalination plants are completely shut down, with three others operating at partial capacity. Attempts to treat the algae with toxins and the expected arrival of northern winds to disperse the bloom have so far proven unsuccessful. The ministry is working to ensure a stable water supply to all households nationwide, emphasizing the resilience of Israel's water sector.

To compensate for the reduced desalination output, Israel is increasing water drilling and pumping from the Sea of Galilee, though its level is reportedly dropping by about half a centimeter daily. The proposed solutions, estimated to cost tens of millions of shekels, involve these increased pumping efforts and extending the intake pipes of desalination facilities westward to draw water from unaffected areas.

While the water supply to homes and agriculture continues uninterrupted, the Energy Ministry urges the public to conserve water. The ministry is exploring a range of solutions to mitigate the ongoing crisis.