Preventing ground and water pollution

System for detecting leaks from the jet fuel pipeline

As part of the new fuel system at BGN, the Airport Authority decided to install an innovative system for detecting leaks, which until now has only been installed in a few airports in Europe and the United States.

In the absence of an Israeli standard for the system, the Ministry of the Environment sought to regulate receipt of the system with confirmation from a standards licensing institute with experience of this system.

During 2002, in coordination with the Ministry of the Environment, the Airport Authority made an arrangement with a standards licensing institute in Germany, which is preparing operating instructions and procedures.    The system will be installed and operated before any fuel flows through the pipeline, and in time for the opening of the new terminal for passenger and aircraft traffic.

We should point out that the leak detection system will represent a new level for requirements of the Ministry of the Environment in the area of developing Israel’s fuel infrastructure.

Checking that underground fuel containers are watertight

In 2002, the Environmental Quality Unit carried out a survey of all underground fuel containers in all IAA sites.  Following this survey, a process of checking the seal of containers began, carried out in cooperation with the maintenance division by qualified experts on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment.

By the end of the year, all containers in BGN had been checked.  All checks, without exception, showed that the underground containers were in good condition.

Cleaning ground in Herzliya Airport of remains of fuel and pesticides

In 2002 comprehensive treatment began to regulate the drainage and removal of remains of pesticides at Herzliya Airfield.  The first stage was regulation of the drainage of flowing water in the southern part of the airfield, where remains of oil and fuels were collected.  In addition, old storage wells that were once used to store rinsing materials and the remains of pesticides used by spraying companies that operated in the site were removed.

In accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment, the IAA is required to carry out continual sampling of ground and water to measure the potential for pollution in the field according to an approved plan.

Treatment of salts

Salts are used to soften water in the cooling system of the passenger terminal.  At the beginning of 2002, the Maintenance Division arranged for the collection of salts in a storage container.  The container is emptied every day to the water purification installation  and from there directly to the sea.

Regulating the evacuation prevent potential contamination of the ground and water that was formerly caused by the flow of salts to the drainage exit leading to the Ayalon River.

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