Israel's Health Ministry issued an urgent warning to hikers and nature enthusiasts after discovering hazardous contamination levels in ten streams across northern Israel. Testing revealed fecal coliform bacteria counts far exceeding the ministry's safety threshold of 400 per 100 milliliters, with some sites showing levels nearly nine times higher.
Officials cautioned that entering these waterways poses a significant health risk and urged the public to avoid them until new testing confirms safe conditions.
The Contamination Readings
The following bacterial counts were recorded at affected sites:
Hatzbani Stream: 1,180 at Gan HaTzafon (hydroelectric station); 630 at the Rivers Meeting Point promenade (Jordan River entrance).
Jordan River: 1,030 at Gesher Yosef; 1,270 at Gesher Lahavot HaBashan; 1,150 at Gesher HaHamisha; 1,130 at Gesher HaPekak (Huri); 1,000 at Metzad Ateret; 600 at Gesher HaDodot; 1,240 at Gesher Arik.
Hexagon Pool (Breichat HaMeshushim): 2,800.
Gilbon Stream at Devorah Falls: 3,600.
Yehudiya Stream: 470.
Zavitan Stream: 680.
Zaki Stream: 3,500.
El Al Stream: 1,080.
Tzalmon Stream at Carob Pool: 3,000.
Keziv Stream at Ein Hardalit: 440.
Based on these findings, the Health Ministry declared the following locations off-limits to the public until subsequent sampling shows consistent, safe results:
Hatzbani from Gan HaTzafon to the Rivers Meeting Point promenade; the Jordan River from Gesher Yosef to Gesher Arik; Hexagon Pool; Gilbon Stream; Yehudiya Stream; Zavitan Stream; Zaki Stream; El Al Stream; Tzalmon Stream's Carob Pool; and Keziv Stream at Ein Hardalit.
The ministry stated it will continue regular sampling and monitoring, updating the public as needed. Under normal circumstances, testing is conducted once every two weeks. Quarterly sampling results for streams nationwide are available on the Health Ministry's website.
