28.01.2025 11:12
The teams from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change imposed a fine of 8 million 305 thousand 811 TL on the Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration (İZSU), which is affiliated with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, during inspections conducted in Izmir.
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The teams of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change detected that the Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration (İZSU), affiliated with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, discharged treatment sludge from the drinking water treatment plant into Manda Stream and the Izmir Bay during inspections carried out in Izmir. They also found that in the Tire district, domestic wastewater was discharged directly into Cuma Stream without treatment, and in Ödemiş, due to insufficient capacity, overflowing sewage and untreated wastewater were released into Gali Stream. İZSU was fined 8 million 305 thousand 811 TL for 6 violations. A criminal complaint was filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against those responsible for environmental pollution.
As part of the fight against environmental pollution, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change continues inspections in 81 provinces. While the ministry teams continue ship inspections according to the Izmir Bay Action Plan announced by the Science Board following the pollution and fish deaths in Izmir Bay, they also inspect the treatment facilities of municipalities and industrial plants.
MUD DISCHARGE INTO THE BAY FROM IZMIR METROPOLITAN
The teams, which also promptly evaluate citizens' reports, took action regarding the 'images of a red flowing stream in Izmir' shared on social media the other day. The teams from the Izmir Provincial Directorate determined that sludge waste used in drinking water treatment was discharged from the drinking water treatment plant of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality into Manda Stream and the Izmir Bay. A fine of 1 million 869 thousand 726 TL was imposed on the Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration (İZSU) according to the Environmental Law.
UNTREATED WASTEWATER FLOWS INTO CUMA STREAM
During the inspection on January 17 in the Tire District, it was found that domestic wastewater from Akmescit Neighborhood was discharged directly into Cuma Stream without treatment. The teams imposed a fine of 668 thousand 677 TL on İZSU.
PENALTY FOR MENEMEN AND ÇİĞLİ İZSU
In another inspection at the Menemen Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, it was determined that discharges exceeded the standards in wastewater samples. On January 23, an administrative fine of 1 million 393 thousand 755 TL was imposed on İZSU. In the inspection at the Çiğli Wastewater Treatment Plant of İZSU, it was found that disposal operations for treatment sludges generated in previous years had not been carried out, and that treatment sludge was stored without obtaining a license by not making the requested revisions in the prepared rehabilitation plans. Based on this violation, İZSU was fined 1 million 299 thousand 54 TL on January 23.
OVERFLOWING SEWAGE IS DISCHARGED INTO GALI STREAM
In the inspection conducted in the Ödemiş district, it was determined that there was both sewage and wastewater entering the Ödemiş Wastewater Treatment Plant from vacuum trucks. Due to the inadequacy of the pool in the facility, it was found that the sewage and untreated wastewater were discharged into Gali Stream next to the facility via the stormwater channel. An administrative fine of 1 million 671 thousand 844 TL was imposed on the facility. A criminal complaint was filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against those responsible for environmental pollution.
TRIPLE PENALTY FOR THE OLD FOÇA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
As a result of the investigation conducted due to the alarm received from the Continuous Wastewater Monitoring Systems (SAİS) activated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change on November 10, 2024, the results of the analysis were revealed. According to the analysis results, nitrogen and phosphorus parameters were found to be above the limits. The Old Foça Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was previously found to have committed the same violation twice, was fined 1 million 393 thousand 755 TL with a triple penalty as per the relevant law.
4,936 INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED IN IZMIR IN 2024
In Izmir, a total of 4,936 environmental inspections were carried out in 2024, including 188 inspections related to solid waste storage and wastewater treatment facilities of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and 4,748 inspections related to industrial facilities. A total of 207 businesses that were found to be operating in violation of environmental legislation were fined 119 million 954 thousand 899 TL, and a decision to suspend operations was made for 23 facilities. Of these fines, 16 million 357 thousand 685 TL was imposed on the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, while 103 million 597 thousand 214 TL was imposed on industrial facilities. In 9,196 ship inspections conducted in Izmir in 2024, fines totaling 961 thousand 293 TL were imposed on 12 sea vessels.
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