TPS: Desalination Crisis Could Persist for Several More Weeks
A severe algae bloom is drastically reducing output at Israel's desalination plants, potentially lasting for weeks and impacting water supply.
Jerusalem, 17 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s desalination crisis, caused by an unusually large algae bloom off the Mediterranean coast, continues to sharply limit production at five of the country’s six desalination plants. The facilities are currently producing about half their normal output, while high seawater turbidity threatens the filtration membranes.
The Water Authority is preparing for the disruption to last several more weeks, possibly until the end of the calendar year.
Water Authority Director Yehezkel Lipshitz said algae concentrations are five times higher than normal, stretching from Ashkelon to the Sharon coast. He said the algae are non-toxic.
Despite the reduced production, Israel has experienced no water shortage, with supplies supplemented from the Sea of Galilee and groundwater reserves.
Two Ben-Gurion University experts warned that an oil spill could shut desalination plants for at least six months.