Israel Launches Pilot to Clean PFAS Contamination, Affecting Construction Pace

Israel has initiated a pilot program to remediate soil contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), with the results expected to influence the pace of construction at the Sde Dov site in Tel Aviv. The pilot involves treating 600 tons of soil sourced from the Eshkol power station in Ashdod, which also showed signs of PFAS contamination.

Several companies are conducting the pilot using various techniques, including soil washing. One method, employed by Tibcho, involves mixing contaminated soil with water and chemicals to separate the pollutants. This process aims to allow about 95% of the soil to be reused, with the remaining 5% containing the contaminant being landfilled. Israel's preference is for purification and reuse over disposal.

In February, the Ministry of Environmental Protection detected initial signs of groundwater contamination at Sde Dov, where thousands of apartments are currently under construction. PFAS chemicals are highly persistent and commonly found in fire-fighting foams, water-repellent products, and food packaging. Even at low concentrations, they can pose health risks.

Rotem Nasal, CEO of Tibcho, stated that PFAS is a "very carcinogenic substance" and that Israel lags behind the world in addressing it. Contamination at the former Sde Dov airport site is believed to have seeped into the ground over years, though the ministry had previously cleared the land for residential development before recently testing for contaminants.

Industry estimates suggest around 200,000 tons of soil at Sde Dov may be contaminated, with the full extent still being assessed. Developers will soon be required to conduct extensive soil surveys on their plots, with remediation plans determined by these findings and ministry guidelines. The ministry notes that the contamination levels are generally widespread but not extreme. Any soil removal from Sde Dov requires special ministry approval due to the risk of spreading the contamination.

While the exact impact on construction timelines is unclear, significant delays are anticipated. The Tibcho pilot is expected to last several weeks, after which samples will be sent for analysis. If successful, similar remediation processes may be required for other sites slated for residential development, such as Herzliya airport, potentially causing further construction delays nationwide.