Mitigating Disruption

The ICL Dead Sea production process begins with pumping water from the northern basin of the Dead Sea through a designated pumping station. The pumping station pumps the water into a feeder canal, which delivers it to the site’s evaporation ponds in the southern basin (about 13 kilometers to the south). \

Due to the negative water balance, the water level in the northern basin of the Dead Sea is decreasing at a rate of about 1.1 meters a year. The receding water levels over the past several decades (see illustration below) has required ICL to reposition its pumping station northwards every 10-20 years. This has enabled the continued existence of the industry in the Dead Sea region, which also enables tourism alongside it (more on the subject here). In 2022, the P-88 pumping station was replaced after 21 years of service drawing water from the Northern Basin. During 2021, all the pumping units were assembled, and the new P-9 pumping station began operating gradually in early 2022. The new P-9 station’s location provides a longer-range solution for approximately the next 40 years.

The necessity of constructing new infrastructure due to the receding water level in the Dead Sea

The construction of the new pumping station (P-9), which is approximately 4 km to the north of P-88, required the extension of the feeder canal accordingly, as well as crossing the Tze’elim stream alluvial fan.

Alluvial fans have geomorphological importance in arid regions. At the shore of the Dead Sea, alluvial fans are created due to a change in the flow channel’s geometry. The stream channel expands upon leaving the cliffs towards the east, thus decreasing the intensity of the flowing water. Alluvium is redeposited at the bottom of the flow channel. From a deep canyon channel in its mountainous section in the alluvial fan, the stream becomes a shallow, multi-channeled stream with a braided channel pattern. In addition, the outline of the channel changes from flood to flood according to the deposited alluvium in a manner that restrains the force of undermining the fan’s soft foundations.

The alluvial fan is characterized as an ecosystem wherein a geomorphological system exists, having multiple flow channels whose outlines change from year to year, creating a dynamic and heterogeneous system, both temporally and spatially.

The Tze’elim stream’s alluvial fan is the largest and most developed of all the surviving fans, and therefore its preservation is very important, as well as the protection of the biodiversity existing in this habitat.

The feeder canal crosses the Tze’elim fan, and concerns arose regarding significant harm to the fan’s functions. It was therefore necessary to take all possible measures aiming to minimize the effects of crossing the fan. In addition, the feeder channel is exposed to seasonal flash floods in the stream and may be damaged.

A dual need was therefore created, to both protect the canal from flash floods and at the same time allow free flowing water in the flow channels, to preserve the stream’s alluvial fan.

As part of the construction of the new pumping station, ICL held extensive and meticulous discussions with environmental authorities, organizations, regulators, and professional entities, to strike the necessary balance between operational needs and the need to minimize the environmental harm to an ecologically sensitive area. ICL had also made substantial investments to ensure the protection of the alluvial fan.

The Tze’elim stream alluvial fan – ecological characteristics of the northern area

The eastern section of the Tze’elim stream alluvial fan spans from Route 90 to the mudflats where the Dead Sea has been receding. Alluvial fans and streambeds are habitats wherein creation and destruction processes take place as part of the local life cycle due to the nature of flood flows. In the Tze’elim alluvial fan in general, and its eastern section in particular, the tempo of these cycles is relatively high because of the decreasing water level of the Dead Sea, which causes phenomena of channeling, undermining, and changing flow channels. The ecological system that relies on the initial creation of biomass, develops in accordance with the geomorphological processes. Changes in the pattern of surface level water flow lead to changes in the spread pattern of flora and the variety of species. This is manifested in the drying up of areas where water used to flow in the past, and the development of flora in other areas, e.g., sinkholes, where water is accumulated.

The areas within the alluvial fan serve as a habitat for various animals, such as the Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard, the Dorcas gazelle, wolves, and striped hyenas. Stream beds and alluvial fans generally serve as habitats of high ecological importance due to the quantity of vegetation biomass, which serves as foundation for animal activity and the variety of ecological niches. The Dorcas gazelle is a flagship species, with a population numbering several dozen within the area of the alluvial fan.

Source: “Culvert Array in Tze’elim Stream: Examination of Ecological Aspects”, Maoz Ecology and Environment, March 2016.

The National Infrastructure Plan 35a (NIP 35a) is the plan under which the P-9 pumping station and feeder canal crossing the Tze’elim stream were constructed. The NIP is the expression of agreements reached between ICL and environmental authorities and organizations. According to these agreements, seven culverts of various widths (between 18 and 80 meters), were constructed above the excavated canal to allow flood waters to flow through the original flow channel without damaging the feeder canal, while maintaining the braided channel fan pattern. The culverts serve as an ecological corridor by providing passageways for animals. ICL periodically reviews field data and makes adjustments in accordance with the findings.

Location of culverts on background of land-cells – ecological value

To ensure that no harm results to groundwater and flora in the area, the alluvial fan is constantly monitored by the following means:

Installation of 10 piezometers to measure the quality and level of the pebble horizontal water.
Monitoring of flora over time: monitoring acacia trees, flora sectioning, and semiannual mapping by drones for NDVI index (measuring photosynthetic activity) of the entire fan area east of Route 90.
Monitoring and mapping of subsurface water through magnetic resonance and ground-penetration radar.
During construction of the feeder canal, close supervision was conducted by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s (INPA) infrastructure supervisor, who ensured that the bottom of the feeder canal is above the pebble horizontal, and that water permeation is possible to the west and east of the canal.

Following the results in the field and further consultation with INPA, it was decided that there was a need to add a device to spread the water as it exits the culvert to mitigate disruption.

During 2022, an unexpected flow of brine above the ground at the outskirts of Tze'elim alluvial fan area was discovered which, according to initial tests by the Company, appears to have resulted from a combination of seepage from the feeder canal of ICL Dead Sea’s pumping station P-9 and unique ground conditions, which according to the Company's estimation did not exceed the approved design specifications of P-9. ICL has been continuously acting to rectify any resultant environmental impact to the extent required, including, at the request of the INPA, implementation of a project that involves the installation of sealing sheets over an approximately 2km long section of the 15km feeder canal in the area of the fan (the Project). In March 2023, ICL completed the Project. The intermediary actions that had been carried out by the Company to prevent an increased flow of salinity to the surface had been found to be effective and provided stability until the Project was completed. For further information, see “Item 4 – Information on the company — D. Property, Plant and Equipment — Mineral Extraction and Mining Operations- Dead Sea” in ICL’s 2022 Annual Report.

ICL continues to monitor the conditions in the alluvial fan area (that have since normalized), together with the INPA, and will take necessary action to minimize any future disruption, if needed.

Mitigating Disruption

The necessity of constructing new infrastructure due to the receding water level in the Dead Sea

The Tze’elim stream alluvial fan – ecological characteristics of the northern area

Location of culverts on background of land-cells – ecological value

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