As of September 9, in Chernihiv, the Desna River is experiencing discolored water, a foul smell, and a mass fish die-off. This information was confirmed by Acting Mayor Oleksandr Lomako. According to him, specialized services, ecologists, and the State Emergency Service are on-site collecting and disposing of the dead fish at a designated location. Due to the situation, beach visits in Chernihiv are currently prohibited.
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Oleksandr Lomako assured that there is no health or life threat to Chernihiv residents, as the city uses well water rather than river water. “The municipal guard is monitoring the situation on-site, and the sale of all types of fish in the city is being closely controlled. The aeration station of Chernihivvodokanal is also operating near the crossing,” Lomako stated on his Telegram channel.
Context of Pollution in the Seim and Desna Rivers
Water pollution issues in the Seim and Desna rivers began earlier. On August 27, 2024, the State Agency of Melioration and Fisheries of Ukraine reported significant exceedances of allowable concentrations of pollutants in the Seim River, a tributary of the Desna, including ammonium and suspended substances. The pollution spread to the Seim River in Sumy Oblast and reached Chernihiv.
On August 30, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi reported that the pollution of the Seim River occurred in Russia. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine confirmed that water quality in the Seim and Desna rivers is being monitored and there is no threat to drinking water supply.
Kyivvodokanal emphasized on August 7, 2024, that if necessary, the technological process of water treatment in Kyiv will be adjusted. Currently, the water supplied to Kyiv residents is safe. The Chernihiv Regional Military Administration also reported a reduction in the level of pollution in the rivers.
