Israel’s Water Authority has spent more than NIS 50 million supplying privately operated desalination plants with specialized filtration equipment as the country continues dealing with disruptions caused by microalgae contamination. The emergency expenditure was disclosed Tuesday as officials worked to restore the affected facilities.

The problems began last month when microalgae contamination interfered with the operation of desalination facilities, reducing the ability of certain plants to produce water at their normal capacity.

The Water Authority purchased filtration membranes for the facilities to help address the disruption. Officials emphasized that the equipment was intended for emergency use rather than as a permanent replacement for existing treatment systems.

The disruption coincides with significant pressure on Israel’s natural water supplies following consecutive years of insufficient rainfall in the country’s northern watersheds. The Water Authority continues overseeing restoration efforts at the affected desalination facilities.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)