The warning northern hikers need to know: don't enter these streams

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection are warning against entering streams in the north after samples found deviations in fecal coliform levels. In samples from August 16 and 17, 2026, bacteria levels were found exceeding the recommendation of up to 400 fecal coliform per 100 ml. Deviations include 3,400 at the Hexagon Pool, 2,300 at Gan HaTzafon, and 1,800 at the stream confluence. The source of contamination is unknown and monitoring continues.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have issued a warning to hikers in the north, following samples taken on Sunday and Monday, August 16 and 17, 2026, which found deviations in fecal coliform levels in several streams. The measured levels exceed the recommendation of up to 400 fecal coliform per 100 ml of water. Among the deviating points: the Hexagon Pool with 3,400, Gan HaTzafon with 2,300, and the stream confluence at the entrance to the Jordan with 1,800. Deviations were also found along the Jordan, including 1,900 at Metzad Atarot and 1,700 at Gesher HaPkak. The warning also applies to Nahal Gilbon, Zaki, Yehudiya, the Harov Pool in Nahal Tzalmon, Ein Ziv, and Ein Hardalit in Nahal Kziv. The source of contamination is currently unknown, and the ministries continue sampling and monitoring. Routine sampling is conducted every two weeks by Nature and Parks Authority inspectors at fixed points.