Water sector 'fully stable' following assessment, reservoirs to be filled over weekend

The announcement follows shutdowns at Israel's desalination plants amid high seawater turbidity, with plants in Ashkelon and Ashdod still inoperative as of Friday.Follow us on GoogleWater discharging from a desalination plant into the Zalmon River and into the Sea of Galilee, March 4, 2026.(photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 01:42Israel's water sector was deemed "fully stable" after a situational assessment, according to a joint statement on Friday from the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry and the Water Authority."Water supply to all residents and the agricultural sector continues as usual and without any restrictions, thanks to a combination of dynamic operation in the desalination facilities alongside increased water flow from the Sea of ​​Galilee and hundreds of wells across the country," the statement read.The statement noted that stabilization was recorded over a 24-hour period stretching from Thursday into Friday, with national reservoirs to be filled over the weekend as water consumption decreases to ensure "maximum redundancy for next week."The ministry and authority emphasized that Israel's drinking water is "completely safe" for consumption following sea treatment activities approved by the Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry,They added that the substances used in the treatment do not pose a risk to swimmers. However, a Health Ministry directive prohibiting fishing activities in the treatment areas remains in effect as evaluations continue, though the fish themselves in the areas are considered safe to eat.Infrastructure works along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee as the Water Authority and the national water company Mekorot prepare to increase the flow of desalinated water pumped from desalination plants in Ashkelon and Rishon Lezion into the lake, northern Israel, February 27, 2026. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)Several desalination plants remain inoperative, partially operational following shutdownsThe announcement comes after Israel's desalination plants faced shutdowns amid high seawater turbidity, with plants in Ashkelon and Ashdod still inoperative as of Friday.Meanwhile, the Palmahim and Sorek B plants are partially operating, with Sorek A expected to increase output in the near future based on sea conditions. The Hadera plant is operating normally.Water restrictions were imposed in several areas across the country following the shutdowns, with five of Israel's six plants initially shut down completely.On Monday, the effects reached central Israel, with residents of Givatayim warned by the municipality to expect disruptions "following problems with the water supply in the national water network.""We ask the public to conserve water as much as possible and use water only for essential needs until normal operations resume," the warning read.Moshe Cohen, Eli Ashkenazi, and Hodaya Ran contributed to this report.Follow us on Google