Israel's Sorek A Desalination Plant Restores Full Operations After Algae Bloom

Israel's Sorek A desalination plant has resumed full operations after a bloom of microalgae in the Mediterranean Sea disrupted its work. Specialists report a decrease in the concentration of these algae in coastal waters, which had caused most of Israel's desalination plants to halt or reduce production in late August. The Sorek B plant is expected to return to full capacity within days. The Palmahim plant is currently operating at 75% capacity, while the Ashdod and Ashkelon plants are at 50% capacity. The algae, believed to have entered the Mediterranean from the Nile River via Egypt, traveled along the Levantine current to Israel's eastern coast. The resulting water turbidity clogged the membranes of the desalination facilities, leading to the temporary shutdown of five out of six plants. The Hadera plant, located furthest north, was the only facility that continued to operate at full capacity, even exceeding it to 105%, as the algae bloom did not significantly reach its area.