Israel's Water Stable After Plant Shutdowns

Israel's water supply has been deemed fully stable, according to a joint statement from the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry and the Water Authority on Friday, September 5, 2026. This assessment follows a period where several desalination plants experienced shutdowns. High seawater turbidity was identified as the cause, with plants in Ashkelon and Ashdod remaining inoperative as of Friday.

Despite these disruptions, the water sector has maintained normal operations. This stability is attributed to the dynamic functioning of other desalination facilities, increased water flow from the Sea of Galilee, and the utilization of hundreds of wells nationwide. These measures ensure that water supply to all residents and the agricultural sector continues without restrictions. National reservoirs are scheduled to be replenished over the weekend to build maximum redundancy for the following week.

The ministry and authority affirmed the complete safety of Israel's drinking water, with treatment activities approved by relevant ministries. Substances used in treatment pose no risk to swimmers. However, a Health Ministry directive prohibiting fishing in treatment areas remains in effect pending further evaluations, though fish in these areas are considered safe to consume. While some plants like Palmahim and Sorek B are partially operational, and Sorek A is expected to increase output, the Hadera plant is functioning normally.