Atlit Ridge

The Atlit Ridge Site includes three known contamination sources: a former tree vaccination site and adjacent tree drying area; a waste landfill; and a former military camp.

About Atlit Ridge site

The Atlit Ridge Site includes three known contamination sources: a former tree vaccination site and adjacent tree drying area; a waste landfill; and a former military camp.

About Atlit Ridge site

Until June 2016, management of the environmental works on the Atlit Ridge Site was undertaken by the Mivne Group and funded by ILA. Only two of the three compounds (the tree vaccination site and the landfill site) have been transferred the remediation project’s execution body, for the stage of remediation only.
There are three known contamination sites in the Atlit Ridge remediation compound:

map

A former tree vaccination company: which operated on site from the 1950s until several years ago. In the process of tree vaccination, a preservative and disinfectant material was inserted into the wood (impregnation), in order to provide it with long term durability, and make it impermeable to moisture and air. These actions included use of heavy metals such as arsenic and/or chrome.

On the 300m dirt road that connects the factory and the waste site, trees were laid to dry at the end of the vaccination process. Presently, along this road and in the vicinity of the factory, there are some 150 logs of wood suspected to be vaccinated, at an estimated average weight of 200kg each.

Presently a soil survey to delineate the contamination was performed, and found an estimated land quantity contaminated by metals to be treated of about 50,000 tons. Recent tests indicate that considering the concentration of metals, a large majority of the land is suitable to be transferred to a mixed waste site.

“The Dump” waste site served as a waste landfill for residents of Atlit and various factors operating in the area for the duration of about 35 years.

Waste on this site includes building and construction waste, scrap-iron and other waste components.

A soil survey to characterize the types of waste at the landfill was recently completed. The volume of waste is estimated to be approx. 40,000 cubic meters, with soil assessed to be some 50% of the volume.

The military camp site, on an area of 147 dunams, which used for storage and numerous other needs dating back to the time of the British Mandate. A recent land survey completed recently in this area defined the sources of contamination. During June-August 2016, some 100 cubic meters of soil have been dug up, so that most of the area is clear of contaminated soil. The soil was dug and piled by the side of the road, and will be removed shortly.