Approximately 100 environmentalist activists protested on a Tel Aviv beach today against the diversion of over two million tons of sewage into the Mediterranean Sea over the past 17 days. The Dan Region Sewage Union reduced the flow of waste by about 2/3 today, but tens of thousands of tons of contaminated liquefied waste continue to pollute the waters in the Tel Aviv-Herzliya area.
The crisis began when one of two giant pipelines burst on Jan. 21. The Sewage Union said it had no choice but to divert the sewage to the sea while the pipeline was repaired. However, pressure from the Health and Environment Ministries, as well as the threat of legal action and lawsuits, has forced it to agree to divert most of the sewage flow to the area's other pipeline. Some experts feel, though, that the extra load on the second pipeline may cause it to burst as well. The Union was given until next Friday to repair the burst pipeline, and an investigative committee has been appointed.
The crisis began when one of two giant pipelines burst on Jan. 21. The Sewage Union said it had no choice but to divert the sewage to the sea while the pipeline was repaired. However, pressure from the Health and Environment Ministries, as well as the threat of legal action and lawsuits, has forced it to agree to divert most of the sewage flow to the area's other pipeline. Some experts feel, though, that the extra load on the second pipeline may cause it to burst as well. The Union was given until next Friday to repair the burst pipeline, and an investigative committee has been appointed.