(haipo) – The Haifa Municipality announced increased enforcement efforts against business owners who pour oils into the sewer systems, drainage, and public spaces. As part of the latest enforcement operation, restaurant workers in the Turkish Market in Haifa were caught pouring oils onto the sidewalk and into the municipal drainage system.
The market area, which attracts thousands of visitors every day, suffered pollution and serious damage as a result of the act. The business owner was fined, and the municipality declared that it would take strong action to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
◄ Employees at a business spill oil in a public space • Watch
Spilling oil in public spaces is not only a criminal offense, but also poses a real danger to the public and the environment. Oil spilled on sidewalks or entering municipal drainage systems can cause slips, serious injuries, and sometimes even irreversible contamination of municipal infrastructure. The environmental impacts are also serious, ranging from contamination of groundwater sources to damage to the quality of life of residents. As part of the fight against the phenomenon, the Municipal Security Division operates advanced cameras that help locate the perpetrators. Enforcement officials are working determinedly to take legal action against those responsible, in order to reduce the phenomenon and maintain public safety and environmental quality.
An article previously published on the Haifa website exposed the plight of businesses in Complex 21, the Turkish Market, which suffers from severe odor and pollution as a result of spilled oils and garbage. Business owners complained that the garbage room on Natan Kizerman Street is full of stench, and sticky oil accumulates on the floor. According to them, the Haifa Municipality does not wash the room after removing the garbage, and the residue gives off the signs of a serious sanitary hazard.
The Haifa Municipality is now seeking to create a deterrent among business owners in order to reduce the scope of the phenomenon, and has announced that it will impose increased fines and implement determined enforcement against them. In addition, the municipality is appealing to food businesses and garages to comply with the provisions of the law and transfer oils to designated waste disposal facilities. Will business owners and leisure travelers soon see real change? Time will tell.
Director of the Enforcement Department at the Haifa Municipality, Ilan Hodada:
"The municipal enforcement department will continue to operate with zero tolerance towards any offense that harms the quality of life of Haifa residents and the public space. Pollution is not only an environmental hazard but also a real danger to the health and safety of residents. I call on business owners to comply with the provisions of the law, and on city residents to report any violations they encounter."
What do we care – the main thing is that it's clean with us.
Well done, you're strengthening the municipality. About six months ago I came to the Talpiot market and slipped on oil. I got...
The fall cracked my knee and I'm still being treated in a hospital.
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No fines, no revocation of business license, no imprisonment.
I don't envy the Ministry of Health staff.