How clean is the river Jordan?

While the headwaters are relatively unaffected, the Lower Jordan River consists primarily of untreated sewage and agricultural return flows, groundwater seepage, as well as brackish water from springs diverted into the river away from the Lake Tiberias area. The Lower Jordan River in particular is extremely polluted.



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The lower Jordan River is filled with raw sewage and contaminated agricultural runoff from neighbouring communities in Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.

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Q – Is it safe to recreate in or near the Jordan River? A – Currently, we have a “Caution” on the Jordan River. This means that you should avoid areas of scum when boating, keep pets away, do not drink the water, and not swim.

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Most polluted is the 100-kilometre downstream stretch - a meandering stream from above the confluence with the Yarmouk to the Dead Sea. Environmentalists say the practice of letting sewage and brackish water flow into the river has almost destroyed its ecosystem.

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As the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Jordan River is the source of all holy water in Christianity and has for centuries attracted pilgrims from across the world. Over the last 60 years, however, the river has fallen victim to the ongoing regional conflict and been reduced to a polluted muddy stream.

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The Bible says Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. The river's eastern bank, modern-day Jordan, and its western one both house baptismal sites, where rituals of faith unfold, a reflection of the river's enduring religious, historical and cultural allure.

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What remains of the once mighty Jordan is made up of waste water and the runoff from agricultural land. It is in this brown-colored cocktail of sewage and chemicals that pilgrims have been bathing.

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The Jordan river in the area where John was baptizing is very muddy and murky, and prone to flooding. Compared to many rivers in America, it would seem like a dirty drainage ditch. But when you've been walking through the desert for more than a day, it is striking to see flowing water—even if it is muddy.

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The Lower Jordan River in particular is extremely polluted. Other environmental concerns include water-level fluctuations in Lake Tiberias and the associated risk of saline water intrusion from below, and, more importantly, the decline of the Dead Sea, which all threaten the stability of the basin ecosystem.

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Several natural and man-made hazards exist along the river, some of which have cost people their lives. It is important to scout out your route before attempting to paddle the river, and to know where and when to exit the river safely.

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The Israelites crossed the river during a flood stage. It is believed that at the time and taking into account historical measurements, the Jordan River was over 100 feet (30 meters) wide and more than 10 feet (3 meters) deep.

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Population growth, diminished water supplies and climate change have all taken their toll, while damaged and inefficient infrastructure and the considerable challenges posed by Jordan's geography and topography have only made things worse.

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