28.01.2025 19:30
After the pollution in the İzmir Bay came to the agenda, the prosecutor's office took action. The İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into those responsible for the pollution.
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The İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into those responsible for the pollution in İzmir Bay. In a statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated, "An investigation has been initiated by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the crime of polluting the environment based on the complaints and news content in the press concerning the issues identified as a result of inspections conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change regarding the pollution of İzmir Bay."
PENALTIES IMPOSED
Meanwhile, ministry teams continue ship inspections in İzmir Bay following the pollution and fish deaths, in accordance with the İzmir Bay Action Plan announced by the Science Board, while also inspecting the treatment facilities of municipalities and industrial plants.
Teams that promptly evaluate citizens' complaints took action regarding the "images of a red flowing stream in İzmir" shared on social media the previous day.
İzmir Provincial Directorate teams determined that the sludge waste generated at the drinking water treatment facility of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality was discharged into Manda Stream and İzmir Bay. An administrative fine of 1 million 869 thousand 726 TL was imposed on the General Directorate of İzmir Water and Sewerage Administration (İZSU) according to the Environmental Law.
During an inspection on January 17 in 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.
PENALTIES FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN MENEMEN AND ÇİĞLİ
In another inspection at the Menemen Wastewater Treatment Facility of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality İZSU, 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 Facility 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 revisions requested by the administration in the prepared rehabilitation plans. In relation to this violation, İZSU was fined 1 million 299 thousand 54 TL on January 23.
THREE TIMES THE PENALTY FOR THE OLD FOÇA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
In the inspection conducted in Ödemiş district, it was also determined that there was an inflow of wastewater from both the sewer system and vacuum trucks to the Ödemiş Wastewater Treatment Facility of İZSU General Directorate. Due to the inadequacy of the pool in the facility, it was found that the sewage and untreated wastewater were discharged into the Gali Stream next to the facility through 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.
On November 10, 2024, the results of the inspection conducted due to the alarm received from the Continuous Wastewater Monitoring Systems (SAİS) activated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change at the Old Foça Wastewater Treatment Facility (AAT) were also revealed. According to the analysis results, nitrogen and phosphorus parameters were found to be above the values. The Old Foça AAT, which was previously found to have committed the same violation twice, was imposed a penalty of 1 million 393 thousand 755 TL, three times the penalty according to the relevant law.
4,936 INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED IN İZMİR IN 2024
In İzmir, in 2024, a total of 4,936 environmental inspections were carried out, including 188 aimed at solid waste disposal and wastewater treatment facilities of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and 4,748 aimed at industrial facilities. Administrative fines totaling 119 million 954 thousand 899 TL were imposed on 207 businesses found to be operating in violation of environmental legislation, and a decision to suspend operations was made for 23 facilities.
Of these fines, 16 million 357 thousand 685 TL was imposed on İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, while 103 million 597 thousand 214 TL was imposed on industrial facilities. In 2024, during 9,196 ship inspections conducted in İzmir, fines totaling 961 thousand 293 TL were imposed on 12 sea vessels.
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