Aegean water runs dirty
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Daily News with wires
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 05, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Two separate incidents in Kuşadası and Bodrum are raising questions about the quality of water in Turkey's popular holiday spots. Waste water is leaking into the sea and into drinking water, local civil organizations say
Civil organizations have raised concerns about hygiene levels of drinking water and sea water in popular holiday resorts in the west of Turkey.
A written statement released by the Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Foundation, or EKODOSD, said the ecosystem in the Kuşadası district of Aydın shores had been seriously harmed by hotels and other sites discharging wastewater into the sea unpurified, the Doğan News Agency reported.
"We have observed remarkable changes in the shores of Kuşadası and the underwater ecosystem," said the foundation. "Living organisms in the sea have been damaged by waste water that comes from tourism establishments that lack a proper canalization system."
The foundation said the increase in the number of algae and mussels were signs of pollution in the water.
"Last week we saw moss and algae had increased during the tidal change and there were also new kinds of mussels," the foundation said. "Mussels usually live in dirty places, they are a sign of dirt. We understand that some organisms have stopped living in the area and the sea water contains a high level of waste."
Discharge pipes are damaged
The statement from EKODOSD said discharge pipes had been damaged, that many tourism facilities drained waste water directly into the sea, or did not fully use their water purification systems, and these factors played an important role in pollution.
"Pollution will affect people who swim in the sea in the summer," the foundation said. "Tourism managers, vendors, fishermen and every other organization should prevent sea pollution. The sea should not become sad. The sea becomes sad before it dies."
A similar canalization problem has occurred in Bodrum, a popular holiday spot in Muğla. Bodrum Civil Initiative Spokesman Ayhan Karahan said filthy water leaked out of the canalization center in the Konacık area of Bodrum. Karahan said the initiative would file a complaint, the Anatolia News Agency reported.
Waste water leaks cause pollution
Following research in the canalization center on Zeytinli avenue, initiative members said waste water leaks had caused the pollution.
"This water puts public health in danger," said Karahan. "The leaked water flows to Bitez and then into the sea. There are many wells in Bitez and now people cannot drink water from those wells."
"We will file a complaint against those responsible," said Karahan.
Locals have also complained about the leaking water.
"There is an incredibly bad smell coming out of the center," said Yılmaz Üzer, who lives near the area. "Cats who drank this water died. Many frogs have appeared in the area. We used to drink water from wells, but now that drain water has leaked into the wells, we cannot drink it anymore."
Üzer said citizens had tried to contact the authorities about a solution, but nothing had come from those requests.
Konacık Mayor Mehmet Tosun admitted that there was a problem, but it was temporary.
"There was a mechanical problem in a sewage truck and water leaked out of the canalization center for two hours," said Tosun. "That was temporary and we could not find another truck immediately as it was New Year’s Day."
The mayor said the problem was being solved.
"Now a private truck has been rented and we are solving the problem," said Tosun. "The facilities will be working properly in 10 days and everything will be better."
A written statement released by the Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Foundation, or EKODOSD, said the ecosystem in the Kuşadası district of Aydın shores had been seriously harmed by hotels and other sites discharging wastewater into the sea unpurified, the Doğan News Agency reported.
"We have observed remarkable changes in the shores of Kuşadası and the underwater ecosystem," said the foundation. "Living organisms in the sea have been damaged by waste water that comes from tourism establishments that lack a proper canalization system."
The foundation said the increase in the number of algae and mussels were signs of pollution in the water.
"Last week we saw moss and algae had increased during the tidal change and there were also new kinds of mussels," the foundation said. "Mussels usually live in dirty places, they are a sign of dirt. We understand that some organisms have stopped living in the area and the sea water contains a high level of waste."
Discharge pipes are damaged
The statement from EKODOSD said discharge pipes had been damaged, that many tourism facilities drained waste water directly into the sea, or did not fully use their water purification systems, and these factors played an important role in pollution.
"Pollution will affect people who swim in the sea in the summer," the foundation said. "Tourism managers, vendors, fishermen and every other organization should prevent sea pollution. The sea should not become sad. The sea becomes sad before it dies."
A similar canalization problem has occurred in Bodrum, a popular holiday spot in Muğla. Bodrum Civil Initiative Spokesman Ayhan Karahan said filthy water leaked out of the canalization center in the Konacık area of Bodrum. Karahan said the initiative would file a complaint, the Anatolia News Agency reported.
Waste water leaks cause pollution
Following research in the canalization center on Zeytinli avenue, initiative members said waste water leaks had caused the pollution.
"This water puts public health in danger," said Karahan. "The leaked water flows to Bitez and then into the sea. There are many wells in Bitez and now people cannot drink water from those wells."
"We will file a complaint against those responsible," said Karahan.
Locals have also complained about the leaking water.
"There is an incredibly bad smell coming out of the center," said Yılmaz Üzer, who lives near the area. "Cats who drank this water died. Many frogs have appeared in the area. We used to drink water from wells, but now that drain water has leaked into the wells, we cannot drink it anymore."
Üzer said citizens had tried to contact the authorities about a solution, but nothing had come from those requests.
Konacık Mayor Mehmet Tosun admitted that there was a problem, but it was temporary.
"There was a mechanical problem in a sewage truck and water leaked out of the canalization center for two hours," said Tosun. "That was temporary and we could not find another truck immediately as it was New Year’s Day."
The mayor said the problem was being solved.
"Now a private truck has been rented and we are solving the problem," said Tosun. "The facilities will be working properly in 10 days and everything will be better."