In Tashkent region, disputes around the pollution of the Bozsu canal are intensifying. Earlier, videos had spread on social networks showing textile enterprises discharging colored wastewater into the canal. Following this, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change conducted an inspection, and as a result, a criminal case was opened against the state enterprise — “Tashkent Water Supply” JSC.
According to the ministry, laboratory analyses carried out at the wastewater discharge points revealed how dangerous the situation was. In particular, at the first discharge point of the “Bozsu Aeration Facility,” suspended solids exceeded the norm by 23.7 times, ammonium ions by 101.9 times, nitrite nitrogen by 3.5 times, sulfates by 2.3 times, and phosphates by 1.3 times. Also, the BOD indicator was 19.6 times higher, petroleum products 2.52 times higher, copper 4.16 times higher, and iron 12.4 times higher than the norm.
At the facility’s third discharge point, the situation was also serious: suspended solids exceeded the norm by 22.1 times, ammonium ions by 19.9 times, nitrite nitrogen by 8.5 times, sulfates by 2.8 times, phosphates by 1.3 times, BOD by 17 times, petroleum products by 1.78 times, copper by 3.3 times, and iron by 3.6 times.
Preliminary calculations showed that as a result of environmental pollution and wastewater discharge, damage of 1 billion 511 million 966 thousand 450 soums was caused to the state.
Therefore, the General Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal case against “Tashkent Water Supply” JSC under Articles 205 (abuse of power or official authority) and 207 (negligence of duty) of the Criminal Code. Currently, the Tashkent city prosecutor’s office is conducting investigative actions.
Ecologists emphasize that this situation may pose a serious threat not only to nature but also to public health. The public, in turn, is demanding strict measures in this matter.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
