• Today the Basin Directorate “Black Sea Region” took samples from three sites in inland sea waters across Durankulak, Shabla and Kaliakra.

The Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) conducts regular monitoring of the state of sea waters following the destrcution of the wall of the Nova Kakhovka dam, located on the Dnieper River in Ukraine.

The latest data from the digital modelling of the Centre for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Monitoring of the “N. Y. Vaptsarov” show no signs of pollution in Bulgarian waters with any potential contaminants related to the incident.

Today, 27 June 2023, the Basin Directorate “Black Sea Region” sampled water from three sites in inland sea waters off Durankulak, Shabla, and Kaliakra.  From the samples extracted at these sites, the Directorate has a series of data in connection with the monitoring of marine waters that started in June 2022. The same indicators are monitored at coastal sites (metals, petroleum products, radionuclides, pesticides, etc.). The stations are located in marine waters about 1-1.5 km from the coast. Two of the three sites coincide with national monitoring sites for marine waters, allowing a history of analyses to be traced back over the years. The first results are expected within 10 days.

The prevailing Southern wind in recent days has suppressed and directed the waters of the Dnieper, Dniester, and Danube rivers - below and above the Danube delta, in a Northern direction. In turn, the water of the Danube is also suppressing and directing the waters of the other two rivers in Northern direction. This delays the path of the Dnieper waters in reaching the territorial waters of Bulgaria.

The Black Sea Basin Directorate and the Regional Laboratory - Varna with the Executive Environmental Agency monitor the state of Black Sea waters on a weekly basis at three additional sites in the coastal zone that were designated in response to the newly emerging situation - Durankulak, Shabla, and Kaliakra coast.

On 26 June, the results of the samples from 19.06.2023 from Bulgarian Black Sea waters were also released. More information can be found in our previous newsletter. An assessment of the trends related to the observed water status can be conducted after the accumulation of data from at least four measurements.

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

The radiation background in the Odessa region is within normal limits. The Bulgarian Embassy in Kiev informs about this in its regular update to the MOEW.

Up-to-date information on the results of the measurements is provided to the competent institutions and the public in due course.

The monitoring of the sea water status is coordinated with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism in order to ensure a calm tourist season.

Signals in cases of possible signs of pollution along the coastline can be submitted to the Green Phone of the Ministry of Environment and Water: 0887 088 440 or 02/9888205, as well as to e-mail address: nccw@moew.government.bg, and also to the Green Phone of the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Varna: 0884 290 634 or 052/634 582, Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Burgas: 0889 096 577 or 056/813 212, and Basin Directorate Black Sea Region - Varna. 0886 406 816.

Dear media representatives,

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

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