Israel's Water Reserves Threatened by Algae Clogging Desalination Plants

Microscopic algae, believed to have originated from the Nile, have been clogging Israel's desalination plants since late August, disrupting the supply of nearly 80% of the country's domestic and urban water consumption. Five out of six major desalination facilities were temporarily shut down, forcing the country to rely entirely on its limited groundwater and the Sea of Galilee reserves. These reserves are already at critically low levels, exacerbated by two consecutive dry winters. The Sea of Galilee's water level has dropped below the "red line" to its lowest point since 2018, and groundwater levels have fallen by nearly 2.5 meters in the past year alone, the fastest rate in 25 years. Falling below these red lines risks chemical changes in the water.

While the algae bloom appears to be naturally receding, allowing some plants to resume operations, the incident has exposed the fragility of Israel's water security. Desalination provides the bulk of daily water needs, with groundwater and the Sea of Galilee serving as crucial "savings" for dry periods. Delays in constructing new desalination plants, such as the "Shikma 2" facility, mean that any disruption to desalination capacity forces greater reliance on these already depleted natural reserves. The State Comptroller had previously warned in 2024 about the Health Ministry's failure to survey potential toxins from invasive algae species, a warning that has now materialized.

Water authority officials are hoping for a very rainy winter to replenish the reserves, but this is not guaranteed. A campaign to encourage water conservation is planned. In the event of continued shortages, agricultural water consumption, which constitutes the majority of Israel's water use, may face cuts. Most agricultural water comes from treated wastewater, but some farmers still rely on potable water, leading to a debate over subsidized water prices for agriculture, which amount to an estimated 300-350 million shekels annually. Future droughts or desalination issues could see these subsidies reduced and water quotas for farmers lowered.