The main source of pollution to the coastal aquifer stems from the past activities of the defense industries and IDF camps.
This is stated in the State Comptroller's report regarding the prevention of pollution and salinization of water sources, their monitoring and rehabilitation, which focused on groundwater reservoirs, published today (Tuesday).
According to the report, 64% of all monitored sites that examined natural water sources indicate an existing contamination or suspicion of contamination. Fuel pollution monitoring revealed that contamination of the water source was detected in 69% of the monitored sites (203 in number). 36% of the monitored sites were found to have severe and very severe infections.
The report also shows that monitoring operations at 295 sites in the years 2020-1999 cover 13.5% of all known sites, and that although fuel farms are responsible for the main part of pollution from fuel facilities, 17 tank farms out of 35 farms have not yet been monitored. That the potential for severe pollution from fuels may be much higher than the known extent.
Moreover, an examination of the rehabilitation of fuel contaminants in natural water sources revealed that out of 261 fuel sites (where restoration operations were required or may be required), the restoration operations were completed at only eight (3%) of the total sites.
In addition, regulations concerning the prevention of contamination from fuel tank farms have not yet been completed.
It also emerged that out of about 157 industrial areas above the coastal aquifer, and a total of about 253 industrial areas in Israel, about 21 industrial areas (about 8.3% of all industrial areas) are monitored, which are at high risk.
In conclusion, the report instructs the above bodies to formulate a multi-year plan for the treatment of contaminants and to act to remove the pollutants from the various aquifers.
The coastal aquifer extends over about 120 km along the Mediterranean coast, and the groundwater in it is exposed to pollution due to the inhabited area above it and due to over-pumping of the groundwater.