No evidence of pollution in the Bulgarian Black Sea area after Kakhovka dam destruction in Ukraine

The Ministry of Environment and Waters continues the regular monitoring of possible environmental damage in the Bulgarian Black Sea area following the destruction 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 Management and Monitoring of the Coastal Zone at “N. Vaptsarov” Naval Academy on June 30 show no pollution in the Bulgarian Black Sea area with potential contaminants due to the incident.

The data from the coastal water survey carried out at the coastal stations on 26 June and at the sea stations on 27 June do not indicate any potential pollution of the marine environment. The measured values at all six sites are below the maximum permissible concentrations and the annual average.

According to the official data from the radiological analysis of the samples for caesium-137 and tritium taken on 19 June 2023 from the coastal sites, received by the Black Sea Basin Directorate, no exceedances were detected.

Weekly monitoring of the status of the Black Sea waters continues at three additional sites in the coastal area that were designated in response to the newly emerged situation - Durankulak coast, Shabla coast and Kaliakra coast. The forecast for the north-western Black Sea until 6 July remains favourable, with potential contaminants circulating in the Ukrainian waters.

The MoEW exchanges information on a daily basis with the Ukrainian, Moldovan and Romanian authorities on potential pollution of the 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 information.

The monitoring of the state of marine waters is coordinated with the Ministry of Tourism with a view to the smooth running of the tourist season.

Reports of possible signs of pollution along the coastline can be submitted to the Environment Ministry’s Green Phone: 0887 088440 or 02/9888205, as well as to the email 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, Black Sea Region - Varna. 0886 406 816.