Gas stations across the country not up to par

Energy and Water Ministry identifies stations that are infusing more sulfur than permitted into fuel, diluting gasoline with water.

By SHARON UDASIN
A man pumping gasoline at a gas station 370 (R) (photo credit: Reuters)
A man pumping gasoline at a gas station 370 (R)
(photo credit: Reuters)
The Energy and Water Ministry has identified 11 fueling stations throughout the country that are altering the composition of the gasoline they sell.
Ten of the 11 stations have been infusing much more sulfur into their diesel fuel than is allowed by the law. The 11th has been watering down the benzene 95-octane fuel it sells to automobile drivers.
The ministry has ordered stations partaking in such illegal activity to halt the sale of the fuels in question, and has directed them to eradicate and replace the existing inventory with proper supplies.
Most recently, the ministry announced that last week, the fuel from the gas station in the Na’ura community in the country’s North had 618 parts per million of sulfur in its diesel fuel, when the permissible amount is only 10 p.p.m.
The offending gas stations will be allowed to resume regular service only once the new inventory is in place and verified by its inspectors, the ministry said.
Also last week, the ministry identified four other fueling stations that have been infusing extra sulfur into their diesel supplies. The Benzol station at the Tira junction was selling fuel with 521 p.p.m. of sulfur, while Diesel Line on Hamusahim Street in Jerusalem was selling fuel with 117 p.p.m. The Dor Alon station in Rishon Lezion was selling diesel fuel containing 583 p.p.m, and the Dor Alon station in the Galilee community of Arrabe was selling fuel with 790 p.p.m, the ministry said.
Five other stations that have yet to correct their defects have tested for impermissibly high levels of sulfur this year, with one station having been identified each month from January through May, according to the ministry data. The five stations are Dizol Gal in Ibillin, Paz in Rahat, the facility at the entrance to Moshav Shibolim, Dor Alon in Kiryat Ata and Dor Alon in Shuafat.
The ministry inspectors also discovered in January that the Sonol gas station at the Hasharon junction has been significantly watering down its benzene 95-octane gas sold to drivers. Regulations dictate that benzene must be clear and clean, without any visibly freeflowing water in the gas mix.
The Energy and Water Ministry emphasized that the supervision and safety division of its Fuel and Gas Administration, in conjunction with laboratories approved by the fuel commissioner, have installed samplers at gas stations across the country and test the products regularly.
“Each station is sampled several times a year, and when the fuel product does not meet a standard, the station is required to stop selling the defective fuel and replace it with a product that meets the standards,” the ministry said.