The Israeli Water Authority has confirmed a purchase of over 50 million NIS in equipment to support private desalination facilities. This expenditure comes as the country’s desalination infrastructure faces ongoing operational challenges caused by a significant microalgae bloom that began last month. The contamination has hindered the plants' ability to process water at normal rates, leading to concerns regarding the stability of the water supply.

According to the Water Authority, the newly acquired filtering membranes are not intended for routine maintenance but are designated specifically for emergency use. The authority maintains that these measures are necessary to ensure that the water supply remains consistent while the private operators address the biological contamination issues. While the plants are currently experiencing reduced output, the government's intervention aims to mitigate the risk of a broader water shortage. The situation remains fluid as technical teams work to clear the algae from the intake systems, though the exact timeline for a return to full operational efficiency has not been publicly finalized.