The polluted waters are moving at a speed of 20-25 km per day, the minister says.
Environment and Natural Resources Protection Minister Ruslan Strelets emphasized that the pollution of the Seim River is extreme and that polluted waters cannot be allowed to reach the capital's water intake. He stated this in a comment to Ukrinform.
“Polluted waters move at a speed of 20-25 km per day. We are doing our utmost to ensure that they do not reach Kyiv's drinking water intake. This is our main task. Therefore, on September 5-6, we will see whether the measures we are currently taking are effective,” the minister said.
Strelets emphasized that the pollution of the Seimas is an extraordinary event, therefore water samples are taken daily for research. The best methods for overcoming the pollution are also being sought.
“Over the past few days, more than 50 samples have been taken, and another 28 in the past two days. Samples of contaminated water are constantly being taken for laboratory research and testing in order to find the best solutions. Accordingly, yesterday samples were taken so that specialists at the water utility’s treatment facilities (where drinking water intakes are) could find out whether they would be able to cope if the pollution reached there. That is, we are doing our best to prevent it,” he said.
The head of the Ministry of Environment recalled that on August 29, a meeting of the State Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergencies was held, at which a number of decisions were made to solve the problem. In particular, the discussion concerned measures for aeration (air enrichment), absorption, dumping of additional volumes of water, as well as collecting dead fish and preventing their further loss.
All these measures are being carried out, the minister emphasized. In particular, on the morning of August 30, they began adding an absorbent to the water and performing artificial aeration.
“We will understand on Monday how effective this measure will be. Because it takes time for the bacteria to start working,” he said.
Strelets emphasized that the substance that caused the pollution is exclusively of organic origin. The problem is being eliminated by the State Emergency Service, the State Environmental Inspectorate, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the State Fisheries Patrol and local authorities.
- Earlier, Vyshgorod Mayor Alexey Momot reported that a toxic substance was found in the Desna River, flowing downstream from the Russian border. For its part, the Kyiv OVA denied this information and stated that no excess of maximum permissible concentrations of organic and mineral substances in the Desna River within the Kyiv region was detected.
- Subsequently, the State Water Agency stated that the pollution of the Seim and Desna was not chemical, but organic.