Health Ministry Warns Against Swimming in Several Northern Streams After Bacterial Contamination

Israel’s Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry warned hikers and swimmers on Tuesday, after water tests taken on June 22 found unusually high levels of fecal bacteria in several northern streams and popular bathing sites. The agencies said the contamination could pose a health risk and asked the public to stay out of the water until further notice.

The official recommended limit is 400 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water, but multiple sites exceeded that level by a wide margin. The highest reading was at the Jordan River, at the Nahalim Junction entry point, where tests found 2,500 bacteria per 100 ml. Other elevated results included 1,900 at the Lehavot HaBashan Bridge, 1,800 at Meshushim Pool, 1,100 at Joseph Bridge and at the Telmill Flour Mill site on the Zalmon, 1,050 at HaHamesh Bridge, 680 at Ganei HaTzafon on the Hatzbani, 620 at Deborah Waterfall on the Gilbon, 550 at Kfar Szold Bridge on the Banias, 470 at Oteret and at Zaki, 440 at Ariel Bridge, and 430 at the Yehudiya stream.

The ministries said swimming should be avoided at Banias near Kfar Szold, the Hatzbani from Ganei HaTzafon to Nahalim Junction, the Jordan River from Joseph Bridge to Ariel Bridge, Meshushim Pool, Gilbon Stream, Zaki, Yehudiya Stream, and the Zalmon near the flour mill.

Officials said exposure to contaminated water can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, fever, skin inflammation, and sometimes more serious infections, especially in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. The Environmental Protection Ministry said no known pollution source has yet been identified. Testing is carried out every two weeks by Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspectors at fixed points across the Galilee and Golan, and the two ministries said they will continue monitoring and update the public as needed.