Story perspectives

Israel shuts five desalination plants after seawater turbidity

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israel's Water Authority shut down five of six desalination plants after severe seawater turbidity.
Municipal water providers said household water supplies would continue despite the shutdowns.
Residents in Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva reported low pressure and localized outages on Tuesday.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen called the turbidity an unusual natural phenomenon not seen in two decades.
The Water Authority ordered cuts to public landscaping and agricultural water use.

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Story summary

Israel's Water Authority shut down five of six desalination plants after severe seawater turbidity.
Municipal water providers said household water supplies would continue despite the shutdowns.
Residents in Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva reported low pressure and localized outages on Tuesday.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen called the turbidity an unusual natural phenomenon not seen in two decades.
The Water Authority ordered cuts to public landscaping and agricultural water use.