The Economic Court of the Zhytomyr region has ruled in favor of the State Ecological Inspection of the Polissya region: the municipal enterprise "Berdiansk Communal Services" must pay over 343 thousand hryvnias for polluting the Gnilopyat River and the Semenivsky Stream.
How did it all begin?
In the summer of 2024, ecologists received a complaint from a concerned resident via the electronic service "EcoThreat." This initiated an inspection of the enterprise's activities, during which serious violations were uncovered. It was revealed that from 2021 to 2024, the municipal workers discharged 149,700 cubic meters of untreated stormwater into water bodies. Moreover, they lacked both a water usage permit and approved limits for maximum allowable discharge (MAD).
Such actions violate the Water Code of Ukraine and cause significant harm to the environment. Water pollution can impact river ecosystems, harm animals and plants, and even pose a threat to human health.
What did the court decide?
Since the enterprise did not voluntarily compensate for the damage caused, the ecological inspection turned to the court. On February 19, 2025, justice favored the state, obligating "Berdiansk Communal Services" to compensate for damages exceeding 343 thousand hryvnias.
"This is our collective victory on the environmental front! We hope this serves as a lesson not only for 'Berdiansk Communal Services' but also for all enterprises that neglect environmental legislation," commented the head of the DEI of the Polissya region, Yevhen Medvedovskyi.
What’s next?
The State Ecological Inspection urges other enterprises to adhere to environmental standards and refrain from polluting water bodies. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report environmental violations through "EcoThreat." Water is life, and we all must protect it.