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NEWS
Underground Water to be Supplied on Pesach to Most
Chareidi Communities
By Betzalel Kahn and A. Cohen
Following numerous requests regarding the problem of water on
Pesach, MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni contacted Mekorot CEO Ronen
Wolfman and Central District Manager Yisrael Mantel with his
annual request to provide a solution for those who do not
want to drink water from the Kinneret that passes through the
uncovered national water carrier. On the other hand
underground water does not raise any concerns of containing
chometz since it is not exposed.
In response to Rabbi Gafni's request, Wolfman said the
proposed plan is to provide underground water to as many
towns as possible, namely Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Beit
Shemesh, Kiryat Ye'arim (Telzstone), Modi'in, Modi'in Illit,
Chashmonaim, Rosh Ha'ayin, Elad, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and
Givatayim.
Hadera and Netanya will also be supplied with underground
water, but if any technical difficulties arise Mekorot will
have to supply water from the Kinneret. Haifa will be
supplied with reservoir water for five days in coordination
with the local rabbonim.
Based on Rabbi Gafni's request the transition to underground
water will take place on Thursday.
The head of Bnei Brak's water department, Engineer Shalom
Daniel, arranged to have Mekorot supply the city with well
water from Rosh Ha'ayin. City Secretary and Spokesman Rabbi
Avrohom Tanenbaum said that years ago Bnei Brak residents
used regular Mekorot tap water, and for a period they used
water from the national carrier. Due to the possibility of
chometz during these years Bnei Brak residents began
using only water from local wells during Pesach, but the well
water, which comprises 40 percent of all potable water in the
city throughout the year, does not suffice for the entire
population, which grew during this period. As a result a new
arrangement was introduced involving the use of underground
water with close sanitary supervision based on the same
standards used in overseeing water from the national
carrier.
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