Israel Faces Olive Oil Byproduct Pollution Threat Amid Funding Shortage
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A significant funding shortfall of approximately 700,000 shekels threatens to cause severe environmental pollution in Israel's Sea of Galilee and northern streams due to untreated olive oil byproduct. In the West Bank, an additional 6 million shekels are needed to manage similar waste from 60 olive presses. Environmental groups warn of potential sewage system collapse, beach closures, and harm to aquatic life if the issue is not addressed. The Water Authority confirmed no dedicated budget exists for the current harvest season.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A funding gap of 700,000 shekels threatens pollution of the Sea of Galilee from olive oil byproduct.
- An additional 6 million shekels are needed for West Bank olive oil byproduct treatment.
- Environmental groups warn of potential sewage system collapse and beach closures.
- The Water Authority confirmed no dedicated budget has been allocated for the current harvest season.
- Past funded efforts successfully reduced pollution from olive oil byproduct.
As the olive harvest season is underway, a critical funding gap threatens to exacerbate environmental pollution in Israel and the West Bank. The olive oil production process generates a byproduct called 'akar,' a highly acidic liquid that, if not properly managed, can severely contaminate waterways. In the West Bank, where the olive industry is a vital source of income for many Palestinian villages, an estimated 99,000 tons of olives are expected this season, yielding about 22,000 tons of oil. However, the necessary funds to treat the akar are missing.
In northern Israel, approximately 50 olive oil presses are operating, and a similar pollution problem exists. Environmental groups, like the non-profit Zalul, are warning that a shortage of around 700,000 shekels (approximately $190,000 USD) for treating akar in the north could lead to contamination of the Sea of Galilee via the Tsalmon stream. Zalul has appealed to the Water Authority for this funding.
Furthermore, Zalul is demanding that the Ministry of Finance and the Civil Administration allocate approximately 6 million shekels (around $1.6 million USD) to manage the akar produced by about 60 presses in the West Bank, specifically in the Shechem and Hadera stream basins. The organization cautions that insufficient funding could result in severe damage to streams and the environment in northern Israel, the West Bank, and the Sharon region.
Zalul warns that discharging akar into sewage systems could overwhelm treatment facilities in Yad Hana and Hadera, leading to the release of raw sewage into the Alexander and Hadera streams and the Mediterranean Sea. This scenario could force the closure of beaches and cause significant harm to aquatic life. The group highlighted that in previous years, funding was provided through tenders, enabling water corporations and regional councils to collect, dispose of, and monitor the akar, which successfully reduced pollution and protected water systems.
The Water Authority confirmed that no dedicated budget has been allocated for this purpose for the upcoming harvest season, stating that relevant government ministries did not budget for it. While acknowledging the success of past funded initiatives, the authority stressed that the lack of budget does not absolve the responsible entities on the ground from their legal obligation to prevent pollution. They expect these bodies to take all necessary measures to prevent akar from entering public sewage systems and the environment.