Health and Environment Ministries Warn of Contaminated Streams in Northern Israel

Israel’s Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry have warned hikers and local authorities that entering several northern streams may be dangerous after abnormal water tests showed bacterial contamination. The samples were taken on June 14, 2026, from streams and sites in the north, and several readings exceeded the Health Ministry guideline of 400 fecal coliforms per 100 ml.

Among the results reported were 720 at Hatzbani, Gן HaTzafon, and 550 at the Nahal Junction promenade; in the Jordan River, 600 at Yossi Bridge, 1,900 at Lehavot HaBashan Bridge, 650 at HaHamishah Bridge, 700 at the Plug Bridge, and 650 at Metzudat Ateret. Other elevated readings included 3,000 at Meshushim Pool, 800 at the Dvora Waterfall in the Gilbon, 1,800 at Zaki, 1,200 at El Al, 500 at Barakham Pool in the Zalmon, 700 at the Flour Mill, and 2,100 at Ein Harodlit.

Based on those findings, the ministries said entry is risky until follow-up samples are normal and stable in Hatzbani from Gן HaTzafon to the Nahal Junction promenade, the Jordan River from Yossi Bridge to Metzudat Ateret, Meshushim Pool, Gilbon, Zaki, El Al, Zalmon at Barakham Pool and the Flour Mill, and Ein Harodlit.

The Environmental Protection Ministry said no known pollution source has been identified in the streams. Routine monitoring is normally carried out every two weeks by Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspectors at fixed points across the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights, and Western Galilee, and the ministries said they will continue sampling and update the public as needed. Sampling at Nahal Iyon near the Lebanon border and Hatzbani Roman Bridge was skipped because of the security situation.