After the Ministry of the Interior announced the closure of the separate beach in Haifa earlier this week, the Ministry of Health announced this morning the reopening of the beach due to satisfactory water sampling results.
According to the Ministry of Health, following the receipt of satisfactory microbiological results, the swimming warning at HaShaket Beach has been lifted. The ministry emphasizes that "swimming is allowed only in designated beaches."
Last weekend, both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection announced abnormal results from water sampling conducted to assess the pollution levels in northern rivers.
In tests for bacteria in samples collected on August 7, 2023, several rivers in the north showed results that exceeded the recommendations of the Ministry of Health (400 coliform units per 100 ml) and indicate water pollution.
Due to these results, entering the following rivers may be dangerous until the sampling results become satisfactory and stable:
1. Snir (Hatsbani) - from the Roman Bridge to the Jordan River Estuary.
2. Jordan River - from Yosef's Bridge to the outlet into the Sea of Galilee.
3. Meshushim Pool.
4. Zaki.
5. Jilabun - from Devorah Waterfall.
6. El Al.
7. Tzalmon - flour station and Haruv Pool.
8. Kziv - Ein Tamir, Dlavim Pool, and Ein Hardalit.
From the Ministry of Environmental Protection, it was stated: "The Ministry of Environmental Protection has not identified any known pollution sources in the rivers. Sampling is conducted once every two weeks through the supervision of Nature and Parks Authority inspectors, at fixed sampling points in the northern rivers (Upper Galilee, Golan, and Western Galilee). These points represent waterfalls, pools, or sections of the rivers. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection continue to sample and monitor, and updates will be provided as necessary."
