TEL AVIV (IsraelWire) -- A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health discovered irreversible damage to the groundwater sources of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, Haaretz reported. The survey found a general water-quality problem that affects almost all of the groundwater in the district.
In the wake of the July 28 survey results, five drill sites have been shut down and three more are in the process of being terminated. The survey, which was initiated last year, examined 105 of the 122 sources that supply drinking water to Tel Aviv and most of the surrounding towns, as well as to Ramat Hasharon and Kfar Shmaryahu.
The tests showed organic pollutants at various levels in 88 percent of the drill sites. Only 17 percent of the water sources were found to be totally free of microorganisms.
According to the Ministry of Health, 34 drill sites have been shut down in the Tel Aviv area over the past 15 years-15 because of salinity and 16 because of the presence of toxic materials or fertilizers.
The Tel Aviv survey is part of a countrywide survey that the Ministry is conducting in preparation for the introduction of stricter standards of water quality.
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