Israel Land Authority Discloses PFAS Soil Contamination in Sde Dov
The Israel Land Authority reported that soil tests in Tel Aviv's Sde Dov district revealed PFAS contamination exceeding thresholds in one private plot. The finding impacts 1,700 property holders awaiting a delayed land allocation lottery.
The Israel Land Authority (ILA) has submitted an updated report to the Herzliya Magistrates' Court regarding soil contamination in the Sde Dov district of Tel Aviv, disclosing the initial results of soil tests conducted on private plots in the Gadol block. According to the filing, contamination exceeding safety thresholds for direct soil contact was detected in one of the four plots tested so far, specifically plot 2210. Tests for the other three plots—2204, 2214, and 2202—returned no threshold violations.
The update, submitted following a court ruling on October 5, noted that drilling operations have been completed across all private plots included in the Tel Aviv 4444 master plan, following the approval of drilling programs by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. However, findings reports have been received for only four plots to date, with results for the remaining plots expected within the next 30 days.
The contamination detected in plot 2210 involves concentrations exceeding threshold values for direct contact involving PFAS compounds, commonly known as "forever chemicals" due to their extreme durability and slow environmental degradation. These chemical substances have been linked to health risks, including immune system impairment and an increased risk of certain cancers. The suspected source of contamination at Sde Dov stems from the use of firefighting foams during decades of airport operations at the site.
The ILA emphasized that the absence of direct-contact threshold violations in other plots does not automatically mean the soil is free of required treatment. Furthermore, the final soil remediation targets for all plots will be determined strictly pending approval from the Ministry of Environmental Protection as part of an official application for contaminated soil removal.
Impact on Property Rights Holders and Upcoming Lot Lottery
At the center of the dispute is the allocation process for land rights in the Gadol block, where approximately 1,700 rights holders are scheduled to receive their designated plots in the Sde Dov district. The lottery, originally slated for late June, was postponed after several estate managers requested delays until the scope of contamination, remediation methods, and cost allocation responsibilities became clearer.
Concerns regarding soil pollution emerged after tests at the former airfield site detected PFAS compounds in both soil and groundwater. In July, the Ministry of Environmental Protection revealed that several residential-designated plots showed evidence of pollutants originating from these compounds.
Property owners and managers have pressed for a clearer picture of contamination levels and variances between plots, as differing contamination scales could significantly impact property values and cost-sharing arrangements among stakeholders. Landowners are now awaiting the completion of all sampling and results to set a new date for the long-delayed plot lottery.
