Carmiel Residents Told to Boil Water After Contamination Detected

Residents of Carmiel, a central city in northern Israel, have been instructed by the Ministry of Health to boil all drinking water before use due to unusual test results. The directive applies to water used for drinking, cooking, preparing food, making medicine, and brushing teeth. Water for bathing and sanitary purposes does not require boiling. The order came into effect on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

In response to the situation, two schools in Carmiel were temporarily closed. "Ort Karmeim" high school and "Ofek" elementary school sent their students home. Local supermarkets reported shelves emptying of bottled water as residents resorted to purchasing it from nearby convenience stores. One resident described people carrying six-packs of water in the streets.

The Carmiel Municipality stated that drinking water was provided for kindergarten children and that the education system is expected to operate normally on Wednesday. The municipality is working with professional bodies to identify the source of the contamination and address the issue, promising further updates later in the evening. The Ministry of Health emphasized that home filtration systems, water coolers, and filters do not negate the need to boil water.

The directive remains in effect until further notice. Further water samples have been collected, and additional information is anticipated by the evening.