Fire at Wastewater Plant Causes 30,000 Cubic Meters of Raw Sewage Daily to Flow into Hebron River

A large fire at the Shoket wastewater treatment facility overnight Friday has caused approximately 30,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage to flow daily into the Hebron River, and subsequently into the Beersheba and Besor rivers. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has advised the public to stay away from the rivers and avoid contact with their waters. The fire, which broke out in the plant's electrical room, led to its shutdown. Repairs are expected to take several weeks, according to information provided to the ministry. The circumstances of the fire are under investigation, including the possibility of arson. Israel Police have been notified. The Water Authority and the No'e Midbar water and sewage corporation are working to halt the sewage flow and resume the plant's operations. Emergency solutions are also being advanced to mitigate environmental hazards until the facility is functional again. Ministry of Environmental Protection officials in the southern district are monitoring the event and its consequences. The ministry has instructed local authorities downstream in Al-Kusum, Omer, Bnei Shimon, Beersheba, and Eshkol to inform residents of potential odor hazards and warn them against approaching the water. These authorities have also been asked to increase mosquito monitoring and conduct pest control as needed in the coming weeks.