Health Officials Warn of Dangerous Bacterial Contamination in Northern Israel Rivers

The Israeli Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection issued a new warning on July 6 regarding elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria in several popular northern Israel swimming spots. Recent water tests revealed bacterial counts exceeding the Health Ministry's safety threshold of 400 bacteria per 100 milliliters, indicating significant contamination.

Contaminated sites include the Jordan River segment between Joseph Bridge and Arik Bridge, with bacterial levels ranging from 460 to 1,200; the Hexagon Pool at 1,320; Gilabon (Deborah Waterfall) at 800; Zaki River at 2,800, the highest recorded; Yehudiya (Yehudiya Waterfall) at 420; and the Haruv Pool in the Tzalmon Stream, where bacteria levels were too high to count. Additionally, the Kaziv Stream sites Ein Tamir and Ein Hardalit showed 450 and 700 bacteria respectively.

Authorities advise the public to avoid entering the water at these locations until bacterial levels return to safe and stable readings. The Environmental Protection Ministry noted that no specific pollution source has yet been identified. Routine water sampling is conducted biweekly by Nature and Parks Authority inspectors at fixed points across the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights, and Western Galilee.

Both ministries emphasized ongoing monitoring efforts and committed to updating the public on any changes. This alert follows similar warnings in recent weeks, underscoring persistent water quality concerns in northern Israel's natural swimming areas.