Desalination plant shutdown exposes precarious reserves
Five of Israel’s six major desalination plants were briefly shut, forcing the country to lean on already strained groundwater and Sea of Galilee reserves.
- Since late August, microscopic algae from the Nile have clogged Israel's desalination plants, forcing the temporary shutdown of five of six major facilities that supply nearly 80% of the country's domestic and municipal water needs.
- Israel relies on The Kinneret and groundwater as a "savings account" while desalination operates, but both reserves are in a precarious state with The Kinneret dropping to minus 213.5 meters below the "red line."
- Groundwater levels fell at their fastest rate in at least 25 years between 2024 and 2025, dropping nearly 2.5 meters, while The State Comptroller warned The Ministry lacked necessary surveys regarding potential algal toxins.
- Agricultural water consumption serves as a "third line of defense," and The Israel Water Authority is recently pushing for pipelines to transport treated wastewater, enabling farmers to disconnect from potable fresh water supplies.
- Water sector professionals hope for a rainy winter to replenish aquifers, yet there are no guarantees; if issues persist or another dry winter occurs, farmers could face cuts to water subsidies and reduced quotas.
15 Articles
15 Articles
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
This article was first published via Cedarnews.net. To follow more exclusive news and decisions, please visit our website. Israel faces weeks of water shortages after an unusual algal bloom disrupted much of its desalination capacity. This is Cedarnews. للاطلاع على مزيد من الأخبار العاجلة والتقارير الحصرية، زوروا موقعنا الرسمي.
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