Haifa closed several beaches to swimmers on Monday after abnormal sea-water quality results raised concerns that sewage may have entered the Mediterranean because of a malfunction in the city’s drainage system.
The closures came at the height of summer, during Israel’s school vacation and peak swimming season.
(Photo: Eitan Glikman)
Following instructions from the Health Ministry, the municipality closed Student Beach; Dado Beach at lifeguard station 6; central Dado Beach at station 5; Zamir Beach at station 2, including its toddler pool; and the southern and northern sections of Bat Galim Beach.
The beaches will remain closed until further notice.
The source of the contamination has not yet been definitively identified. However, an initial municipal inquiry indicated that a drainage-system failure may have caused sewage to flow into the sea.
Additional samples were expected to be collected throughout the day at beaches across Haifa. Authorities said further decisions would be made once the results were received.
Lifeguards at the affected beaches cordoned off prohibited sections and began directing swimmers to areas where entering the water was still permitted. Municipal inspectors also patrolled the coastline, warning visitors not to swim in the closed zones.
The municipality urged the public to follow instructions and avoid entering the water at the affected beaches until a new notice is issued.
Separately, the Health Ministry lifted swimming warnings at Riviera and Dugma beaches in Bat Yam after water-quality tests there returned normal results.
The ministry stressed that swimming is permitted only at officially designated beaches.