(live here) – Construction waste was dumped in the Saadia Stream area, but although it was reported to the Haifa Municipality and a message was received that the hazard had been addressed, an inspection of the area reveals a completely different picture. The waste is still lying in place, without having been moved even a centimeter. Residents: "The municipality claims that it has cleared the area, but the waste is still lying in the same place as it was. This is a disregard for nature and the public."
Eric Drobot, an environmental activist and resident of the area, reported on 22/5/25 to the municipality about waste in the Saadia Stream. On Sunday morning, 25/5/25, he received a message that the issue had been addressed and the request was closed. He went out to the area and saw the waste in the exact same place. It hadn't even been moved. And the municipality did nothing.
In a conversation with Lipah, he said that this is a phenomenon that happens again and again. "Construction waste has been dumped into the stream area for years. It is an area of about 150 dunams, with three entrances that allow vehicles to enter easily. The municipality is having difficulty controlling the area, unable to install cameras, unable to keep the gate closed. Even when a gate was installed about a year ago, it opened and has simply remained open ever since."
Only 30–40 percent of waste is actually disposed of
He adds: "The serious problem is not only the dumping of waste, but also when the evacuees do a partial job. Often only 30–40 percent of the waste is actually removed. In other cases, the municipality simply flattens the waste instead of removing it as if that solves the problem."
Last Thursday, a professional tour of the stream was held, attended by representatives of the authorities alongside local activists. "We raised all these problems," says Drobot. "There was a sense of hope, that things would start to change. And suddenly, two days after the tour, waste is being dumped again, the municipality is not clearing it up again. It's frustrating."
We must put an end to this lawlessness.
He concludes with an unequivocal message: "The Saadia Stream is an important ecological space, we cannot continue to neglect it. We must put an end to this lawlessness. We hope that someone in the municipality will wake up not only to check the application form, but to actually do the work and hope that after the tour that was held, things will change for the better."
Construction waste is one of the most serious sources of environmental pollution in Israel, with an annual volume of approximately 7 million tons. According to the law, the responsibility for the removal of construction waste applies to contractors and owners of properties where construction or demolition work is being carried out. The law requires the removal of waste only to regulated and licensed sites, and dumping it in illegal sites is considered a criminal offense that may result in heavy financial fines. Furthermore, the law encourages recycling and reuse of construction materials, with the aim of reducing damage to the environment, reducing the use of natural resources and preventing soil, water and air pollution. Proper treatment of construction waste is not only a legal obligation – but also an important step in protecting public health and nature in Israel.
The Haifa Municipality informed: The inquiry regarding the construction waste in Nahal Saadia is being handled with the utmost seriousness by the professional authorities in the municipality, as is done with any inquiry concerning environmental hazards, especially in ecologically sensitive areas such as Nahal Saadia.
The closure notice was sent to the resident in error, before the actual treatment was completed, and we apologize for this. The municipality will continue to monitor and treat until the hazard is fully removed.
Recently, SMS messages have been received stating that a request has been processed when in fact nothing has been done. The main thing is that the computer system is satisfied.
You have a mistake.
This is not recent at all. I have been receiving messages like this for a long time, on various topics, which have no connection to the situation on the ground.
I wonder who is lying – the departments that handle it or simply the municipality as a whole.