Gaza Sewage Discharge Cripples Israeli Desalination Plants

An exceptional algae bloom stretching up to 100km has clogged filters at five of Israel's six main desalination plants, triggering significant water shortages. The bloom was fueled by approximately 45,000 cubic metres of untreated sewage flowing daily into the Mediterranean Sea from the Gaza Strip.

Environmental organizations and scientists attribute the discharge to the destruction of 90% of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure during military operations by the Cabinet of Israel. The nutrient-rich wastewater fed microalgae and cyanobacteria, which in turn crippled desalination capacity. In response, Israeli authorities have reduced water supplies in the south and ordered farmers to halt irrigation, a move expected to increase food prices.

Inside the Gaza Strip, the collapse of wastewater treatment has left residents exposed to raw sewage and unsafe water, leading to outbreaks of hepatitis A and acute diarrhoea. The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility reported that all five of its wastewater treatment plants are currently out of service.

Environmental groups have urged Cogat, the Israeli agency administering Gaza, to help restore the territory's sewage systems to prevent further ecological and public health disasters. Organizations including the Zalul Environmental Association and EcoPeace Middle East warned that the consequences of the infrastructure collapse do not stop at political borders.