Untreated sewage from Gaza is suspected of fueling a rare algae bloom that forced the temporary shutdown of five of Israel's six major desalination plants.
Key facts
- •Approximately 40,000 cubic meters of untreated wastewater are reportedly flowing into the sea from Gaza daily.
- •The algae bloom was fueled by a combination of high water temperatures and nutrient-rich sewage runoff.
- •Weak, steady winds helped distribute the pollutants along the Israeli coastline, according to Avner Gross.
- •Israel's water sector remains stable due to increased reliance on alternative water sources like the Sea of Galilee.
A massive algae bloom along Israel's Mediterranean coast has disrupted the operation of five of the country's six major desalination plants. Reports from Ynet and CNN indicate that the bloom may have been triggered by untreated sewage flowing from Gaza's damaged wastewater infrastructure. Mekorot, Israel's national water company, described the incident as an extremely rare event that has never occurred before in the country.
By the numbers
Impact on Water Supply
The affected facilities include the Ashkelon, Ashdod, Palmachim, Sorek A, and Sorek B plants. Because desalination provides at least 65 percent of Israel's drinking water, the closures prompted the Israel Water Authority to increase supplies from the Sea of Galilee, groundwater wells, and reservoirs. Authorities also implemented restrictions on public and agricultural irrigation to maintain stability.
Scientific Assessment
Experts suggest that the bloom resulted from a combination of warm Mediterranean temperatures and nutrient pollution. Avner Gross, head of Ben-Gurion University’s Climate Change Laboratory, noted that algae require phosphorus and nitrogen to thrive. He stated that satellite imagery showed similar conditions near the Nile Delta, and identified the southern Gaza Strip as the likely pollution source for the Israeli coast. Noga Armi, CEO of the environmental group Zalul, also affirmed the link between the sewage discharge and the outbreak.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Middle East Eye, Middle East Eye.
