The Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) is ensuring constant and complete monitoring of possible environmental damage in Bulgarian Black Sea waters following the breakage of the wall of the Nova Kakhovka dam, located on the Dnieper River in Ukraine.

According to summarized data, the Center for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Monitoring at the Naval Aviation University "N. Y. Vaptsarov", as well as from satellite observations, there is no evidence of pollution in Bulgarian Black Sea waters.

The Regional Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Odessa, under the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, reported that there were no deviations in the microbiological analysis carried out of drinking water samples. The radiation background in the Odessa region is within normal limits. The Bulgarian Embassy in Kiev informs about this aspect in its regular update to the Ministry of Environment.

The Basin Directorate “Black Sea Region” and the Regional Laboratory - Varna with the Executive Environmental Agency, conduct weekly monitoring of the quality of coastal sea waters from three coastal points - Durankulak, Shabla, and Kaliakra.

The location of the sites is in accordance with the possibilities for sea access, the direction of the prevailing currents, and the bathymetric data available for the area. The potential risk of pollution of the marine environment due to military activities has been monitored.

The presence of petroleum products, metals, the radionuclides caesium-137 and tritium are also monitored, as well as additional indicators (pesticides, etc.) were included in response to the emerging situation. To date, no values exceeding standard ceilings have been detected for any of the indicators examined.

The status of not only coastal but also inland watercourses is being monitored. Monitoring of the status of marine waters is coordinated with the Ministry of Tourism with a view to a calm tourist season.

The frequency of sampling is sufficient to make an objective assessment of the current state of marine waters. The results will be made available to the competent authorities in due time, in accordance with the time required to analyse the indicators at the sites.

The MOEW is in constant exchange of information with the Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Romanian authorities on the potential for pollution of Black Sea waters.

The role of the MOEW is to monitor and inform the institutions responsible for prevention and response to the identified risks. Up-to-date information on the results of the measurements will be provided to the competent institutions and the public in due course.

In case of possible signs of pollution along the coastline, reports can be submitted to the MOEW Green Line: 0887 088 440 or 02/9888205, as well as to e-mail address: nccw@moew.government.bg, and also to the Green Line of the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection - Varna: 0884 290 634 or 052/634 582, Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection - Burgas: 0889 096 577 or 056/813 212, Basin Directorate “Black Sea Region” - Burgas, Bulgaria: 0889 096 577 or 056/813 212, Black Sea Region - Varna: 0884 290 634 or 052/634 582. 0886 406 816.

Dear media representatives,

The Press Centre of the MOEW is at your disposal for further questions related to the monitoring of Bulgarian Black Sea waters.

E-mail address: press@moew.government.bg