Tel Aviv (Monitoring Desk): An unusual spread of microscopic algae in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea in Israel has affected the operations of seawater desalination plants.
The increased amount of algae and other particles in the water disrupted the seawater treatment and filtration process, forcing five of Israel’s six major seawater desalination plants to initially shut down or operate at reduced capacity.
As of September 6, two plants in Ashkelon and Ashdod were completely shut down, while three other plants were operating at partial capacity. The Hadera plant remained operational as usual.
Authorities have urged citizens to reduce water consumption, warning of possible lower water pressure and temporary shortages in some areas.
According to Israeli researchers, the current situation may have been caused by the large-scale spread of algae in the Mediterranean Sea. Experts say that such algae can affect filtration systems and reverse osmosis membranes, potentially reducing water production and forcing plants to temporarily shut down.