River Water Quality in Israel

The Central Bureau of Statistics has released a report on "River Water Quality -- 1996-98", based on data complied by the Water and Rivers Department of the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, the National Partks Authority and Yarkon River Authority. Pollutant measures include Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), untreated sewage and industrial and agricultural waste.

Water quality tests are carried out each year. In 1998, it was found that very high quantities of pollutants were found in 11 rivers flowing near population centers. In five of the 11 rivers checked, pollution levels were very high, or else they were directly receiving raw sewage. In the other six rivers, pollution levels were moderate to high. However, 1998 pollution levels in most rivers were generally lower than two years earlier.

The rivers with the most significant improvement were the Dalia River, Hadera River and Habsor River (in the northern Negev). The improvements were mainly the result of sewage treatment plants beginning operations.

Israel's most polluted river is the Sorek River in the Judean Hills, and the least polluted is the lower Jordan River.