Desalination plant shutdown exposes precarious reserves
Five of six major plants are back online as the algae turbidity recedes, easing pressure on groundwater and the Sea of Galilee, officials said.
- Since late August, microscopic algae from the Nile have clogged Israel's desalination plants, forcing the temporary shutdown of five of the country's six major facilities that supply nearly 80% of domestic water needs.
- With plants offline, Israel drew water from the Kinneret and groundwater reserves, which the State Comptroller called the country's water "savings account," though these sources are already in a precarious state.
- The Kinneret water level dropped to minus 213.5 meters, while groundwater fell nearly 2.5 meters in a single year, the fastest rate in at least 25 years.
- Agricultural water consumption, accounting for 1.4 out of 2.4 billion cubic meters annually, serves as the "third line of defense," though farmers may face quota reductions if dry conditions persist.
- Although turbidity is receding and allowing some plants to resume operations, the water sector faces long-term risks from infrastructure delays, including a two and a half year setback for the Sorek plant.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Algae levels drop along Israel's coast, desalination plants stay partially shut
Algae concentrations near most desalination plants fell by tens of percentage points over the past week. A researcher said pollution, including sewage from Gaza, may have intensified the bloom, though the cause remains under investigation
A huge proliferation of microalgae has obstructed the filters of five of Israel's six major desalination plants, which were closed for days and have since been operating below their capacity Analysis - Netanyahu rejects Trump's plan for Gaza because he needs to remain in power (and in freedom) following Israel's elections Israel faces weeks of water shortages after an exceptional proliferation of algae paralyze a significant part of its desalina…
The sanitation crisis in the Gaza Strip is escalating as treatment systems and stations continue to be damaged, and the lack of fuel, spare parts and capacity to operate water and sanitation facilities has led the competent authorities to dispose of untreated sewage into the sea on an emergency basis, amid warnings of serious environmental and health consequences.
DESTRUCTION of the treatment plant in Gaza led to sea pollution and algae blooms. This disabled Israel's desalination plants, causing water shortages and calls for austerity.
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online-listing.comIsrael facing water shortages caused by destruction of Gaza’s treatment plants
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