Criminal case opened against state enterprise over Bozsu pollution

Earlier, it was reported that textile companies were discharging dye residues into the Bozsu canal in the Tashkent region. Following an investigation into the incident, a criminal case was opened against Tashkent Water Supply JSC, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change reported.

According to the ministry, laboratory analyses of wastewater samples taken from discharge points revealed significant exceedances of permissible limits. At the first outlet of the Bozsu aeration facility, suspended solids were found to be 23.7 times higher than the norm, ammonium ions 101.9 times, nitrite nitrogen 3.5 times, sulfates 2.3 times, phosphates 1.3 times, BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) 19.6 times, petroleum products 2.52 times, copper 4.16 times, and iron 12.4 times above the established standards.

It was also revealed that at the facility’s third outlet, suspended solids exceeded the permissible limit 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 (biochemical oxygen demand) by 17 times, petroleum products by 1.78 times, copper by 3.3 times, and iron by 3.6 times.

According to the report, a preliminary inspection determined that environmental pollution and wastewater discharge had caused additional compensation costs amounting to 1,511,966,450 soums. In connection with the case, 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 the Criminal Code. At present, investigative actions are being carried out by the Tashkent city Prosecutor’s Office.

It is worth noting that earlier, in a statement issued by Tashkent City Water Supply JSC, it was noted that chemical waste and dye residues discharged from textile factories, namely, colored wastewater, were negatively affecting the operation of treatment facilities.