Health Ministry Warns of Contamination in Northern Israel Streams

Israel's Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection issued an unusual warning to hikers and local authorities on Wednesday regarding elevated levels of bacterial contamination found in several northern streams. Recent water sampling revealed results exceeding the Health Ministry's recommendations, indicating pollution in the affected waterways. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has not yet identified a specific source for the contamination.

Authorities are advising the public that entering these streams could be dangerous until further sampling confirms the water is safe and stable. The affected streams include Banias (from the Kfar Sold bridge), Hasbani (at the Jordan River confluence promenade), Jordan River (from Joseph Bridge to Arik Bridge), Meshushim Pool, Gilabon, Zaki, Yehudiya, and Tsalmon (at the Haruv Pool).

Under normal circumstances, water quality in northern streams is tested bi-weekly by the Nature and Parks Authority at fixed points representing waterfalls, pools, or stream sections in the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights, and Western Galilee. The Health and Environmental Protection ministries will continue monitoring the situation and will update the public as necessary. Quarterly sampling results for streams across the country are available on the Health Ministry's website.