Health Ministry Warns Swimming in Eight Northern Streams May Be Dangerous

Three days after the opening of the school summer break, Israel’s Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry issued an urgent warning on Tuesday about abnormal water samples taken from streams in northern Israel. The tests, collected the day before, showed bacterial levels above the Health Ministry’s guideline of 400 fecal coliforms per 100 ml, indicating water contamination.

Because of the results, the ministries said entering eight streams and sites could be dangerous until future samples come back normal and stable. The affected locations are the Banias at Kfar Saled Bridge, the Hatzbani at Gan Hatzafon hydroelectric station and at the Confluence Promenade entrance to the Jordan, the Jordan River from Yossef Bridge to Ariq Bridge, Meshushim Pool, Gilbon at Devorah Waterfall, the Zaki, the Yehudia, and the Salomon at the Flour Mill.

The highest readings were recorded at the Hatzbani Confluence Promenade entrance to the Jordan, 2,500, and at Meshushim Pool, 1,800. Other elevated results included the Jordan at Lehavot HaBashan Bridge, 1,900, Yossef Bridge, 1,100, and Flour Mill in the Salomon, 1,100. The ministries also reported 1,050 at HaHamisha Bridge, 470 at Metzad Ateret, 440 at Ariq Bridge, 620 at Devorah Waterfall, 470 at the Zaki, 430 at the Yehudia, 550 at Kfar Saled Bridge, and 680 at Gan Hatzafon.

The Environmental Protection Ministry said no known, visible source of pollution had been found that could explain the spike. It noted that routine testing is carried out every two weeks by Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspectors at fixed sampling points in the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights and Western Galilee. The Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry said they will continue sampling and monitoring and will update the public as needed.