Israeli Universities Test New Algae Control for Desalination Plants

Scientists from Ben-Gurion University and the Technion in Haifa have begun large-scale testing of a new technology designed to combat blue-green algae that have disrupted Israeli desalination plants along the Mediterranean coast. The research involves the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University, the Technion, and researchers Adi Radian, Paz Nativ, and Naama Lang-Yona. These trials are an expansion of laboratory tests conducted over the past week. The desalination facility in Ashdod has been selected as the site for the current large-scale experiments.

Currently, only the Hadera desalination plant is operating at full capacity, as it has not been affected by the algal bloom. The Sorek-A, Sorek-B, Ashkelon, and Palmahim plants are functioning in a limited capacity due to cloudy water conditions, which pose a high risk of equipment damage. Meteorologists do not anticipate any weather changes in the coming days that would alleviate the situation along the coast.