Contamination of Melen Stream with Sewage Threatens Istanbul’s Drinking Water Supply
Faruk Özlü, a prominent figure, recently brought attention to a concerning issue regarding the contamination of the Melen Stream, which supplies 36 percent of Istanbul’s drinking water needs. In a post on his social media account, Özlü shared an image showing sewage water being mixed into the Melen Stream due to the lack of necessary investments by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and its subsidiary İSKİ in Düzce.
The protection of the Melen Basin, which plays a crucial role in meeting Istanbul’s water demands, is legally the responsibility of IMM and İSKİ. Özlü emphasized the importance of completing the required investments in Düzce to prevent further pollution of the stream and safeguard the quality of drinking water supplied to Istanbul residents.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Özlü mentioned that sewage waste from various sources in the region, including Düzce’s wastewater, is being discharged into the Melen Stream. This contamination poses a significant threat to the water quality of Istanbul and calls for immediate action to address the issue.
In response to these alarming findings, Özlü urged IMM and İSKİ to act responsibly and fulfill their obligations in protecting the Melen Basin. He stressed the importance of investing in the necessary infrastructure to prevent further pollution and ensure the safety of Istanbul’s drinking water supply.
The public outcry following Özlü’s revelations serves as a reminder of the vital role that government agencies play in safeguarding our environment and natural resources. It is now up to the authorities to take swift and decisive action to address the issue and prevent further harm to the Melen Stream and Istanbul’s water supply.
