Health Ministry Orders Karmiel Residents to Boil Water

The Ministry of Health issued an immediate warning and directive on Tuesday for residents of Karmiel to boil all water before drinking or cooking. The order came after an unspecified issue was detected with the water supply.

Beni Salmon, owner of the Espresso Bar and Bakery Coffee HOOD in Karmiel, described the situation, stating that residents received a notification about a problem with the water. He confirmed the issue with other local businesses and advised his employees to purchase bottled water. Salmon noted that a "total hysteria" ensued, with people clearing out store shelves of bottled water. He added that a directive was issued limiting purchases to one six-pack per person.

Salmon highlighted the operational challenges for businesses, explaining that while his coffee machines use pre-boiled water for espresso, other drinks like instant coffee, cold coffee, and ice require treated water. He expressed concern about the lack of readily available alternatives for clean water.

The Ministry of Health responded by stating that such directives are routinely issued in various locations across Israel as part of ongoing monitoring of drinking water quality and precautionary measures following unusual test results. The ministry clarified that the instruction remains in effect until further tests are completed and normal results are obtained, after which the directive will be transparently canceled.