JERUSALEM — Israel has partially restored operations at five desalination plants along its Mediterranean coast after an algae buildup forced the facilities to shut down about 10 days ago, according to Israeli media.
The Hadera desalination plant is fully operational and has continued running at full capacity since the crisis began, The Times of Israel reported.
The Energy Ministry and Israel Water Authority said the country is currently meeting demand for drinking water and agricultural use. However, authorities have urged local governments and residents to conserve water, particularly by reducing irrigation in parks and gardens.
Officials said the country remains partly dependent on alternative water sources, including groundwater and the Sea of Galilee, while the affected desalination facilities return to normal operations.
According to the report, the algae that disrupted the desalination system originated in the Nile Delta region and accumulated along Israel’s Mediterranean coastline.
Under normal conditions, desalination plants supply around 80 percent of the drinking-water needs of Israel’s municipalities, highlighting the importance of the facilities to the country’s water security.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as the remaining desalination plants gradually resume operations.
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