Sewage water from Tiberias is flowing into Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) Israel’s main potable water reservoir, despite misgivings by the Health Ministry.
The Lake Tiberias authority, the Water Commissioner and local engineers agreed that by-pass systems which shunted the town sewage away from the lake must be closed down for 70 days for urgent repairs and the sewage allowed to flow into the lake, after chemical treatment.
The Health Ministry in Jerusalem issued an order banning the inflow, even though its local representatives agreed. The head office has now reluctantly agreed when informed that there was no alternative.
Inspectors have noted an increase in bacteria near the inflow point into the national water grid, but say it is still within acceptable levels.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
