Environmental activists from the NGO Ekoltava are trying to draw attention to the problem of pollution in the Pushkariv Ponds in Poltava, which has been going on for years and has worsened significantly in recent years.
Their waters have turned turquoise-black and the color of "brilliant green" with a specific unpleasant odor, and white sediment has formed on the streams that connect them, Ekoltava reports on Facebook.
Environmental activists suggest that the ponds have been polluting sewage for years.
"For the past 15 years, we don't remember the Pushkariv ponds in Poltava being as polluted as they are now. This is horrifying, they wrote. – But this has been going on for years. First of all, interested in what is happening now? What kind of salvo emissions are these, if they color the water so much?".
Ekoltava said that to identify the causes of pollution, it is necessary to check the industrial zone between Reshetylivska (Marshala Biryuzova) and Chumatskyi Shlyakh (Polovka) streets, where numerous car washes and other enterprises are located. And also conduct a detailed water analysis.
"Currently, it became known that the State Ecoinspection, at the request of the city council, did not give consent to conduct research," the message emphasized.
Eco-activists said that earlier there was a slight unpleasant smell near the ponds. However, the townspeople still visited them, and some fishermen even went into the water. Despite the pollution, ducks, otters, weasels and fish lived in the ponds. However, the animals are now in danger.
They noted that, according to local media reports, fish deaths are recorded in reservoirs. The situation is particularly critical in the stream flowing from the collector from Chumatsky Shlyach Street. As early as 2023, the ammonia content in the stream exceeded the norm by 10 times according to the results of the study.
Ekoltava added that the Vilshana River forms a picturesque cascade of ponds even with a small waterfall. Near it are the remains of a forest and an extensive network of small ravines. This area can be turned into a landscape park within the city limits.
"There are not so many reservoirs in Poltava, so you have to fight for each of them. Their condition is very important, especially in the conditions of climate change. The Pushkariv ponds must be saved," the message emphasized.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, in the Kharkiv region, in Zmiiv, a lake with sewage has formed a few meters from the cemetery, which flows through a pipe into a tributary of the Mzha River.
