JERUSALEM, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Water supply to agriculture in Israel was restored overnight after disruptions caused by the shutdown of desalination plants due to abnormal seawater turbidity, the country's Energy and Infrastructure Ministry and the Water Authority said in a joint statement Wednesday.
Recent days saw severe water disruptions after abnormal seawater turbidity forced the shutdown of five of the country's six desalination plants along the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday.
Experts said the unusual turbidity was caused by a microalgae bloom from the Nile Delta, a natural phenomenon influenced by weather, sea currents and organic matter.
The ministry said agricultural water supplies have resumed, supported by the return of some desalination plants, increased pumping of freshwater from wells and the northeastern Sea of Galilee, and replenished reservoirs.
According to local media reports, three of the six facilities are still out of service.
The ministry also said that water supplies to private households are operating as normal. ■
