It was only this year that the chemical plants at Ramat Hovav and the state worked out an agreement on how to deal with toxic waste. But instead of ending the problem of pollution in the area, the deal led to the construction of a military complex in dangerous proximity to hazardous pollutants - which still pose a serious health threat to the population of the Negev.

The plants signed a legally binding document with the Environmental Protection Ministry, agreeing to deal with liquid waste according to the ministry's criteria.