During July to December 1980, a study was carried out on kibbutzim (cooperative agricultural settlements) in Israel, to determine the microbiological quality and health effect of fishponds enriched with human wastewater. Ponds on seven kibbutzim were sampled, two of which were chosen for intensive study: one used domestic wastewater effluent as a fishpond supplement, while the other used only animal wastes as a supplement. Thirty-eight water samples were assayed for total and fecal coliform. The use of wastewater in the ponds did not consistently increase the levels of the indicator bacteria in the water or in the fish, in comparison with unenriched ponds. Analysis of morbidity data showed no significant excess in enteric disease rates among the total population or among fishpond workers on kibbutzim using wastewater for fishpond enrichment. (Copyright (c) IAWPRC 1987.)