The area of a former electrochemical industry plant, located on 250 dunams near the beach in Acre, is one of the most polluted sites in Israel in the soil and groundwater that also flows into the sea. After it was closed in 2003, the plant was dismantled and the area was purchased by Delek Yam-Maagan, but its activity in the area did not mature into a land and groundwater rehabilitation plan.
The site has soil contaminated with mercury and chlorinated organic compounds – substances that are known to be carcinogenic and harmful to human health and the environment. The findings of the marine monitoring carried out by the Ministry of Environmental Protection showed that there is a leakage of these substances into the underground and groundwater, and that there is an absorption of these substances in fish as well.
According to the Barcelona Convention’s Action Plan for the Mediterranean, in a 2001 survey, the site was considered one of Israel’s seven hotspots in the Mediterranean, characterized by emissions of pollutants into the sea. Israel has already taken care of the other six, and this area remains the last focus.
With the acquisition of the area by the Tidhar-Harel Partnership, an accelerated process of completing the investigation into the dimensions of pollution in the ground and groundwater began and pilot tests for technological alternatives, through which the site can be rehabilitated in an industrial and residential manner. The results of the tests and tests conducted showed the possibility of rehabilitating the soil and groundwater. In addition, we will examine comprehensive information on rehabilitation processes at other sites in the world where a similar industry has operated.
The professional examination of the rehabilitation alternatives was conducted by an inter-ministerial team of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Water Authority and the Ministry of Health. The team required the joint ventures to perform tests with the most advanced technologies available, and the approved plan contains a combination of several technologies according to the investigation findings, so that the best treatment of the soil and groundwater is possible, in order to reach strict thresholds set by the team. Test results and risk surveys.
As part of the groundwater treatment, a partition wall will be erected between the contaminated area and the beach, and the groundwater will be pumped and treated for many years until the groundwater is cleaned. This treatment will significantly reduce the leakage of contaminated groundwater into the sea. A logistics park will be established in the area and its northern area is intended for residential use. The beach will be restored and open to the general public.
Work on the site will begin in the coming months and will include the construction of a number of water and soil treatment facilities at the site itself, such as a soil washing facility, a thermal facility and a biological treatment facility. The works will last for several years.
Dorit Ziss, Director of the Northern District of the Ministry of Environmental Protection: “It is a rehabilitation program with the best treatment technologies known in developed countries. We will continue to work to reduce pollution to the public and to return areas to the public when they are restored.”
Want to write on the site or run a column?