Carmiel Residents Told to Boil Drinking Water After Bacterial Contamination Found

The municipality of Carmiel and the Ministry of Health have instructed residents of the northern Israeli city of Carmiel to boil all drinking water before consumption, cooking, preparing food, or administering medication, and even for brushing teeth. The directive was issued after routine water sampling revealed the presence of bacteria in the municipal water supply.

City officials explained that the bacterial contamination poses a risk of intestinal illnesses, diarrhea, and infections, particularly for vulnerable populations. However, they clarified that the water remains safe for bathing and sanitation purposes. In response to the findings, the city's water reservoirs have been disconnected.

The local water corporation "Ein Karmim," the Water Authority, and Mekorot are working to establish a direct water supply to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. The municipality and the water corporation have also begun distributing bottled water to educational institutions and are conducting further laboratory tests, with results typically available within 24 hours.

The municipality emphasized that the boiling directive remains in effect and that home water filtration systems, such as those found in "Tami 4" or water coolers, do not negate the need to boil the water. Residents were reassured that simple boiling is sufficient and there is no need to purchase bottled mineral water, although supplies are reportedly available in local supermarkets. The municipal hotline is available 24/7 for resident inquiries.