Health Ministry Warns of Sewage Contamination, Swimming Banned at Several Northern Streams

Israel’s Health Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry issued an urgent public warning on Monday after water tests found worrying contamination levels in northern streams. Samples taken on June 14, 2026 showed bacterial readings above the Health Ministry guideline of up to 400 fecal coliforms per 100 ml, indicating significant pollution in the water.

Officials said entering the affected streams and sites could be dangerous, and swimming bans will remain in place until follow-up tests come back clean and stable. Among the worst results were Hexagon Pool, with 3,000 fecal coliforms; Ein Hardalit, 2,100; the Jordan River at Lahavot HaBashan Bridge, 1,900; the Zaki, 1,800; Nahal El Al, 1,200; and the Gilbon at Dvora Waterfall, 800.

Additional elevated readings were recorded in the Jordan River at HaPekak Bridge, 700, at Gesher HaHamisha and Metzudat Ateret, 650 each, and at Gesher Yosef, 600. In the Hatzbani, readings were 720 at Gan HaTzafon and 550 at the Nahal Confluence promenade where it flows into the Jordan. In Nahal Tzalmon, tests found 700 at the flour mill and 500 at Barakhat HaHaruv.

Authorities said entry is now banned in the Hatzbani from Gan HaTzafon to the confluence promenade, in the Jordan from Gesher Yosef to Metzudat Ateret, in Hexagon Pool, the Gilbon, the Zaki, Nahal El Al, Nahal Tzalmon around Barakhat HaHaruv and the flour mill, and Ein Hardalit. The Environmental Protection Ministry said no known visible pollution source has been identified yet. Routine sampling in the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights and Western Galilee is normally carried out every two weeks by Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspectors. The ministries said they will keep monitoring and update the public as needed. Sampling was not carried out this round at Nahal Ayun near the Lebanon border or at the Roman Bridge area of the Hatzbani because of the sensitive security situation there.