The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change took action upon reports of pollution from olive oil plants and household waste in the Büyük Menderes River. Teams were sent to the region for pollution in the 548-kilometer-long Büyük Menderes River, which flows into the Aegean Sea. Barış Ecevit Akgün, Head of the EIA Monitoring and Environmental Inspection Department, said, “As a result of the examination of the samples taken from the Büyük Menderes River, it will be determined whether the source of the pollution is domestic, industrial or organic content. Inspections will be planned according to the results of the analysis.” said.
The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has taken action upon notifications of pollution in the 548-kilometer-long Büyük Menderes River, which empties into the Aegean Sea. Inspection teams were immediately dispatched to the area for investigations. The teams took analysis from the Büyük Menderes River. Making a statement after the examinations, Barış Ecevit Akgün, Head of the EIA Monitoring and Environmental Inspection Department, stated that the environmental inspection teams affiliated to the ministry and mobile water analysis laboratory vehicles were dispatched to the regions.
Emphasizing that Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world in olive and olive oil production, Akgün has filed a criminal complaint against 2 pomace processing facilities, which were found to pollute the Göksu River passing through Mut and Silifke districts of Mersin, and fined 3 million 73 thousand liras. He reminded that it was implemented and the decision to stop the activity was taken.
“We are tightening the controls on olive oil production facilities”
Expressing that they will keep strict inspections at the beginning of the season in order to prevent the negativities that will occur with the olive harvest that started in September, Akgün said, “Inspections in olive oil production facilities should be increased in all of our provinces where olive growing activities are intense, such as Aydın, Bursa, Çanakkale, İzmir, Manisa, Hatay and Mersin. We have sent a written instruction about it.” he said.
“We dispatched our mobile water and wastewater laboratories and environmental inspection teams to the region upon the instruction of our Minister, Mr. Murat Kurum.
Speaking about the pollution caused by olive oil and solid wastes in the Büyük Menderes basin, Akgün said, “We sent our mobile water and wastewater laboratories and environmental inspection teams to the region with the instruction of our Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mr. Murat Kurum. We will carry out a comprehensive inspection study at all facilities in the basin that will cause water pollution. Currently, these inspections are carried out actively with all our Provincial Directorates in the entire basin.” used the phrases.
“In 2022, we carried out more than 67 thousand environmental inspections, well above this number of inspections”
Stating that they continue their inspection works for the effective protection of the environment, Akgün said, “Last year, we reached the highest number of inspections in the history of the republic with over 57 thousand environmental inspections. In 2022, we carried out more than 67 thousand environmental inspections, well above the number of inspections. We banned 5 businesses from operating. In particular, we expect our olive producers to switch to 705-phase production instead of 380-phase production, which allows olive black water, and not to discharge olive black water to receiving environments in any way, and to show the necessary sensitivity to send the pomace wastes generated during olive production to the disposal facilities licensed by our Ministry. Otherwise, we will continue to resolutely apply all the sanctions in the Environment Law, including the closure, as we have applied so far, in case of discharge of olive black waters to the receiving environment or illegal disposal of pomace.” he said.
“We have to do whatever it takes to protect our Common Home, the World, together”
Expressing that natural and domestic wastes are drifting along the Menderes River, Akgün stated that plastic wastes are also remarkably intense. Emphasizing the importance of the separate collection of recyclable plastic waste, Akgün said, “We have to adopt the zero waste system. The fight against environmental pollution can only be solved by the joint work of the state and citizens. Because we have to do everything together to protect our 'World Common Home' common house. When our citizens detect environmental pollution, they can report it to the 'Alo 181' notification line of our Ministry.” said.
Barış Ecevit Akgün, Head of the EIA Monitoring and Environmental Inspection Department, stated that as a result of the examination of the samples taken today, it will be determined whether the source of the pollution is domestic, industrial or organic content, and that the inspections will be planned according to the results of the analysis.
Akgün stated that the minimum fine to be applied will be 2023 thousand Turkish Liras, according to the 820 fines regarding the discharge of olive black water or pomace wastes into receiving environments.
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