Israel Water Authority Spent $1.4 Million on Failed Algae Experiment
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israel's Water Authority spent $1.4 million on a failed experiment to eliminate algae blooms that had disrupted desalination plants. The experiment involved dispersing 70 tons of copper and aluminum sulfates into the sea without public notification, leading to a fishing ban. The long-term ecological impact of the chemicals is still being assessed, with experts warning of potential harm to marine life and recurring algae issues. The Water Authority stated the experiment's results were inconclusive.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's Water Authority spent $1.4 million on a failed experiment to combat algae blooms affecting desalination plants.
- The experiment involved dispersing 40 tons of copper sulfate and 30 tons of aluminum sulfate into the sea.
- The action led to a fishing ban and ongoing investigation into the ecological impact of the chemicals.
- Five of Israel's six major desalination plants operated at reduced capacity for a month due to the algae.
- Experts warn the copper could disrupt the marine ecosystem and lead to recurring algae blooms.
- The Water Authority stated the experiment's results were inconclusive and the activity was not renewed.
The Israel Water Authority spent approximately $1.4 million (NIS 5 million) on a controversial experiment to combat algae blooms that had disrupted desalination plants. The experiment involved dispersing chemicals into the sea, a move that was not publicly announced beforehand and led the Ministry of Health to ban fishing in the area pending an investigation into the potential impact of the toxic substances on marine life.
From August, five of Israel's six major desalination plants, which supply 80% of the country's water, operated at reduced capacity for a month due to unusual turbidity caused by a micro-algae bloom. This occurred as Israel's natural water sources, including the Sea of Galilee and coastal aquifers, were depleted by a prolonged drought or were polluted.
In response to the potential for a prolonged water crisis, the Water Authority decided to fund expensive membranes for privately owned desalination plants to maintain partial operation, regardless of cost. Additionally, a rapid, albeit controversial, solution was pursued: a chemical dispersal experiment to eradicate the algae. The experiment was conducted by the company "Bloggerin" and cost the Water Authority $1.4 million.
The permit from the Ministry of Environmental Protection allowed for the release of 40 tons of copper sulfate and 30 tons of aluminum sulfate, chemicals harmful to the marine environment. The full ecological consequences are still under investigation. According to an opinion by Dr. Zvi Steiner from the Hebrew University's Institute of Earth Sciences, the added copper could disrupt the delicate ecological balance, as it is toxic to zooplankton, a primary food source for fish, and does not degrade in water, potentially leading to recurring algae blooms and damage to desalination facilities.
Israeli authorities claimed the algae bloom was an unexpected event, despite prior warnings from the State Comptroller and international precedents. Climate change is increasing water temperatures, making algae blooms a significant threat to desalination plants globally, with similar incidents causing lengthy shutdowns in the Persian Gulf in 2009. The Water Authority stated that the proposal was reviewed by professional teams and the decision to proceed with the experiment was made due to the significant challenge, but the results were inconclusive, and the activity was not renewed.
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