Israel stockpiles desalination membranes after the algae shutdown

Calcalist reported on 6 October that Israel's state bought replacement membranes for the privately owned desalination plants, at an estimated NIS 45 million (about US$15 million) by its own analysis. The Water Authority had first decided to compensate operators for membrane damage from the algae bloom, then chose to buy a stockpile in advance. Calcalist says the expected abnormal deterioration has not appeared, so the membranes may become routine stock. It quotes the Water Authority as saying that on 5 October three of the six Mediterranean plants still ran below capacity: Ashdod at 66 per cent, Sorek B at 60 per cent and Palmachim at 85 per cent, while Ashkelon, Hadera and Sorek A were at full capacity. Algae still limits Ashdod; a pump fault limits Sorek B.

Why it matters. Calcalist notes that private operators may avoid a cost that would otherwise have been theirs, while the state has already paid.