Northern Israel Waterways Deemed Unsafe Due to High Bacteria Levels

Israel's Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection have issued a warning to the public and local authorities regarding several waterways in northern Israel, advising against entering them due to elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria. Test results from September 1, 2026, revealed bacterial counts significantly exceeding the Health Ministry's recommended limit of 400 per 100 ml in multiple streams.

Specific locations with high readings include Banias at Kfar Sold bridge (700), Hatzbani at the Jordan River confluence (730), and various points along the Jordan River, with readings ranging from 600 to 1,200. Hamushim pool recorded 3,100, Jalbun 3,700, Zaki 670, Yehudiya waterfall 840, and Tsalmon at Kharuv pool 1,200.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has not identified a specific source for the contamination. The warning applies to Banias at Kfar Sold bridge, Hatzbani at the Jordan River confluence, the Jordan River from Yusuf bridge to Arik bridge, Hamushim pool, Jalbun, Zaki, Yehudiya, and Tsalmon at Kharuv pool.

These bodies of water will remain off-limits until further tests confirm stable and safe bacterial levels. Normally, water samples from these northern streams are collected bi-weekly by the Nature and Parks Authority inspectors at designated points, representing waterfalls, pools, or sections of the streams.