Pollution crisis at Izmir Bay: Sea choked by dirt as municipality faces penalties

The Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has imposed a hefty fine of $232,000 on the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Water and Sewerage Administration (IZSU) due to multiple environmental violations.

The decision follows a series of investigations into pollution in Izmir Bay, where alarming contamination levels and mass fish deaths have been reported.

Illegal waste discharge into Izmir Bay and rivers

Authorities launched a probe after viral social media footage showed a river in Izmir turning bright red, sparking outrage among residents. Inspectors discovered that IZSU had been discharging sludge waste from a drinking water treatment plant directly into Manda Creek and Izmir Bay. This violation resulted in a $52,300 fine.

Another shocking revelation came from the Cuma Creek in Tire, where untreated household sewage was found flowing directly into the waterway. This led to a $18,700 penalty for IZSU.

Sewage overflow and unprocessed wastewater violations

Authorities also fined IZSU’s Menemen Wastewater Treatment Plant $38,832 for discharging wastewater exceeding legal pollution limits. Meanwhile, in the Cigli Wastewater Treatment Plant, investigators discovered that accumulated sludge from previous years had not been properly disposed of. The plant had stored the sludge without obtaining the necessary licenses, prompting another $36,300 fine.

In Odemis, inspectors found that both sewage lines and tankers were dumping untreated wastewater directly into Gali Creek due to an insufficient treatment facility. The resulting contamination led to a $46,700 fine, and a criminal complaint was filed against those responsible.

Repeat offenses lead to triple penalty in Eski Foca

One of the most severe penalties was imposed on the Eski Foca Wastewater Treatment Plant, where repeated violations were detected.

The facility had previously exceeded legal nitrogen and phosphorus limits twice before, leading to a threefold increase in fines, totaling $38,800.

Massive environmental crackdown in Izmir

In 2024 alone, environmental authorities conducted 4,936 inspections in Izmir, including 188 targeting municipal waste and wastewater treatment facilities and 4,748 focusing on industrial sites. As a result, 207 businesses faced penalties amounting to $3.35 million, while operations at 23 facilities were suspended.

The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was fined a total of $455,800 for various environmental violations, while industrial facilities received penalties amounting to $2.8 million. Additionally, 12 maritime vessels were fined $26,800 during 9,196 ship inspections in Izmir last year.

Prosecutors launch investigation into pollution crisis

Following the ministry’s report and public outcry, the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the pollution crisis in Izmir Bay.

The probe will focus on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for environmental damage under charges of “polluting the environment.”

Is Izmir Bay facing a mucilage disaster?

Experts warn that the pollution levels in Izmir Bay mirror the conditions that led to the mucilage crisis in the Marmara Sea. Scientists fear that if urgent measures are not taken, the bay could face an ecological disaster similar to the one that plagued Türkiye’s northern waters in recent years.

With a worsening pollution crisis and legal actions underway, residents and environmentalists are now calling for immediate reforms and stricter enforcement to protect Izmir’s natural treasures.