Jerusalem, 6 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s government approved on Sunday the purchase of tens of thousands of replacement membranes for each of its Desalination Plants, at the cost of about $400 per unit. The move reflects concerns that the membranes are becoming clogged at a much higher rate than previously anticipated.
The Water Authority is preparing to partially restart the Ashdod desalination plant to boost the national Water Supply. The plant has been shut down since last Sunday due to high seawater murkiness. Palmachim and Sorek B will also operate partially, while Sorek A will run intermittently depending on water conditions. Hadera continues to operate normally. Ashkelon is the only one of Israel’s six desalination plants that remains completely shut down.
The water crisis began early last week after a sharp Increase in Mediterranean seawater cloudiness, caused by microscopic algae that arrived from Egypt and disrupted desalination plants along Israel’s coast.