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Mekorot Shuts Down Five Coastal Desalination Plants Over Algae Bloom

9/5/2026

12 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Mekorot shut down five of six coastal desalination plants because of a microalgae bloom.
The bloom stretched over more than a dozen miles along Israel's Mediterranean coast, likely from the Nile Delta.
Mekorot offset the loss by pumping Sea of Galilee water, activating wells, and using reserves.
Michael Christopher Low warned algae can foul desalination membranes.
Ben-Zeev warned oil spills could cause longer shutdowns of the plants.

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Story summary

Mekorot shut down five of six coastal desalination plants because of a microalgae bloom.
The bloom stretched over more than a dozen miles along Israel's Mediterranean coast, likely from the Nile Delta.
Mekorot offset the loss by pumping Sea of Galilee water, activating wells, and using reserves.
Michael Christopher Low warned algae can foul desalination membranes.
Ben-Zeev warned oil spills could cause longer shutdowns of the plants.