Warning for travelers in the north: do not enter these streams

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection warn this morning (Wednesday) against entering a number of streams and water sources in the north of the country, after tests conducted this week found abnormal results indicating water pollution.

In samples taken on August 16 and 17, 2026, some of the streams were found to have bacterial levels exceeding the Ministry of Health's recommendations, which stand at up to 400 fecal coliforms per 100 ml of water.

Following the findings, the ministries notified travelers and local and regional authorities that entering the water at those locations could be dangerous, and should be avoided until normal and stable sampling results are received.

High levels of contamination

The highest deviation was found in the Meshushim Pool, where a level of 3,400 fecal coliforms per 100 ml was measured. In the Yehudia waterfall, a level of 3,000 was measured, and in the Haruv pool in the Tzalmon stream — 2,900.

In the Hatzbani stream, deviations were found at several points: at the Roman Bridge a level of 420 was measured, in Gan HaTzafon, near the hydroelectric station, 2,300, and at the stream confluence promenade at the entrance to the Jordan — 1,800.

Also along the Jordan, deviations were found at a number of sampling points: 1,400 at the Yosef Bridge, 1,250 at the Lahavot HaBashan Bridge, 1,400 at the HaHamisha Bridge, 1,700 at the HaPkak Bridge, 1,900 at Metzad Ateret, 830 at the HaDudot Bridge, and 1,300 at the Arik Bridge.

In addition, at the Kfar Szold Bridge on the Banias, a level of 670 was measured, in Jilbon 1,500, and in Zaki 940. In the Keziv stream, abnormal results were also found: 1,300 in Ein Ziv and 900 in Ein Hardalit.

Streams recommended to avoid

Following the results, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection warn against entering the water in the following areas:

• Banias (near the Kfar Szold Bridge)

• Hatzbani (from the Roman Bridge to the stream confluence promenade)

• Jordan (in the section between the Yosef Bridge and the Arik Bridge)

• Meshushim Pool, Jilbon, Zaki, Yehudia

• Haruv pool in the Tzalmon stream

• Ein Ziv and Ein Hardalit in the Keziv stream

The warning will remain in effect until the sampling results at those locations are normal and stable.

Source of pollution unknown

The Ministry of Environmental Protection notes that at this stage, no known source of pollution has been found. Routinely, sampling is carried out every two weeks by inspectors of the Nature and Parks Authority at fixed points in the northern streams in the Upper Galilee, the Golan, and the Western Galilee.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection continue to carry out sampling and monitor the water situation, and stated that the public will be updated as needed.