On the 149th day of Azerbaijan's national press celebration, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Ecology, the State Committee for Architecture and Construction, the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, the Executive Authority of the Khazar District, and Azersu OJSC marked the occasion with an unexpected spectacle: a sewage fountain in the settlement of Buzovna.
These organizations are involved in the illegal construction of a two-kilometer sewage line in Buzovna. Some entities were directly involved, while others were complicit through their silence, ignoring appeals and evidence pointing to the project’s illegality, non-compliance with regulatory requirements, and the substandard work performed by Azersu OJSC and its contractor.
Several accidents have already occurred on the sewage collector after the illegal sewage line was connected. Information requests about these incidents have either been ignored or met with implausible explanations, such as "we are not involved," "we were not informed," or "all works were carried out in accordance with regulatory legal acts." This is despite substantial evidence to the contrary being presented and publicized.
Continuing this policy could lead to more serious consequences, potentially resulting in fatalities.
A similar silence surrounds publications and information requests about the discharge of untreated sewage into the Caspian Sea near the Zagulba beach area. Reports indicate that approximately seven million cubic meters of untreated sewage are released annually. Despite this, the Ministry of Ecology declares the Zagulba and Buzovna beaches suitable for swimming. Southward winds carry bacteria toward the presidential residence and government dachas, while northward winds spread contamination across the Buzovna beach area and beyond. Cases of dysentery among children have been reported after visiting these beaches. Adults seem unaffected, likely due to known immunity factors.
Similar issues have been reported in Govsany, where coastal residents cannot open windows due to the stench from the sea, which is also contaminated by sewage discharge. The Ministry of Ecology has declared this area unsuitable for swimming. However, the primary concern is not the suitability for swimming, but the need to address the root causes of marine pollution.
As Azerbaijan marks its national press day, the sewage fountain incident underscores pressing issues of accountability and environmental protection that demand immediate attention, especially on the eve of COP29.
Previous articles:
Is it possible to raise the standards of beach recreation amidst environmental issues?
Environmental crisis in Azerbaijan: sewage scandals and inactivity of state structures
Silence speaks volumes: Azerbaijan's struggle with transparency and accountability
Will Azerbaijani beaches raise "Blue flags"?
Construction of Immoral Water Supply System in Buzovna Accelerated
Construction of "immoral" water pipeline is suspended
Third Lawsuit against Azersu on Turan News Agency's Information Request
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Today the Azerbaijani press celebrates its 149th anniversary. On July 22, 1875, thanks to the great efforts of Hasan bey Zardabi, “Əkinçi” (“Ekinchi”) - the first native-language newspaper and the flagship of Azerbaijani journalism was launched.
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On July 19, the units of the Coast Guard of the State Border Service found and seized at sea more than 26 kg of drugs (24 kg 835 grams of marijuana, 1 kg 490 grams of opium), 2500 tablets of methadone M-40, 660. 150 capsules of Pregabalin and 40 boxes of various cigarettes were also seized. Operational and investigative measures are continuing, the statement of the State Border Serviceş
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No precipitation is expected in Baku and Absheron on Tuesday, July 23. The wind is north-westerly, moderate. The air temperature during the day will be +31+36 degrees. Relative humidity is 50-70%.
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On Sunday, July 21, rain is expected in some places in Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula. There is chance of short-term intensification of precipitation and thunderstorms. Precipitation will stop in the afternoon, the north-westerly wind will increase in the morning and afternoon in some places. The air temperature at night will be +20 +25°, during the day +30 +34°, according to the National Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Ecology.
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