Israel Faces Water Shortage as Desalination Plants Halt Amid Algal Bloom

Israel's water reserves are nearing a critical point, with the upcoming winter's rainfall expected to play a significant role in alleviating the situation. A threat of further depletion looms after five out of six desalination plants were temporarily shut down. The problem stems from microscopic algae originating from the Nile, which have been increasing the turbidity of seawater since late August, clogging the equipment. These desalination plants supply nearly 80 percent of Israel's domestic and municipal water needs. Their shutdown has forced increased reliance on the Sea of Galilee and underground aquifers, whose reserves are already significantly diminished.

The water level in the Sea of Galilee has dropped to approximately 213.5 meters below sea level, below the red line and at its lowest point since 2018. Groundwater reserves are now only about 1.9 meters above the red line, a stark decrease from 5.3 meters in 2024, with a drop of nearly 2.5 meters in just one year. Falling below this critical mark risks altering the chemical composition of the groundwater.

A prolonged shutdown of the desalination facilities or another dry winter could place substantial strain on these remaining natural resources. The situation is gradually improving as the algal bloom's turbidity decreases, allowing some plants to resume full operation. While the public did not experience significant drinking water disruptions, agricultural water supplies faced initial delays.

Authorities are hoping for water conservation and sufficient winter rainfall to replenish reserves. If these measures prove insufficient, restrictions may impact the agricultural sector, which accounts for approximately 1.4 billion of Israel's 2.4 billion cubic meters of annual water consumption. Potential measures include reducing preferential quotas and subsidies for farmers who continue to use potable water, a subsidy currently valued at 300-350 shekels per year compared to domestic tariffs. Concurrently, Israel is expanding infrastructure to deliver treated wastewater to agricultural areas.