Israel Buys Desalination Plant Membranes Amid Algae Crisis
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israel's state has purchased 45 million shekels worth of membranes for its private desalination plants due to an algae bloom crisis. While significant damage did not materialize, the membranes will serve as future stock, saving the plants money at state expense. Some plants still operate at reduced capacity.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel purchased 45 million shekels in membranes for desalination plants.
- The purchase was a precaution against algae bloom damage.
- Significant membrane wear did not occur.
- The membranes will serve as future stock for the plants.
- Some desalination plants still operate at reduced capacity.
Israel's water economy is largely recovering from an algae bloom crisis that affected its desalination plants, though the full impact is still being assessed. The state has purchased alternative membranes for the privately owned plants at an estimated cost of 45 million shekels. This preemptive purchase was made out of concern that the algae bloom would cause unusual wear on the membranes, necessitating costly replacements. However, significant membrane degradation has not occurred to date.
As a result, the membranes acquired by the state are expected to serve as a routine future stock for the plants, saving them future expenses for these expensive components, with the state bearing the initial cost. Desalination plants using reverse osmosis technology, like those in Israel, force seawater through membranes with tiny pores that block salt. These membranes are highly sensitive to organic matter, and algae blooms overload them, potentially causing blockages, shortening their lifespan, and requiring more frequent chemical cleaning or outright replacement.
Initially, the Water Authority decided to operate the desalination plants partially and compensate private operators for any membrane damage. Later, the state opted to purchase a stock of membranes in advance. More than a month after the crisis began, the water economy has not fully returned to normal operation. As of yesterday, three of the six Mediterranean coast desalination plants are still operating at reduced capacity: Ashdod at 66%, Sorek B at 60%, and Palmahim at 85%. Ashdod's plant is still affected by algae contamination, preventing increased output, while Sorek B is experiencing a technical issue with its pumping system. The plants in Ashkelon, Hadera, and Sorek A are operating at full capacity.