Fish deaths in Vinnytsia region: State Ecological Inspectorate finds no excess of pollutants in Ladyzhyn Reservoir

Analysis of the water in the Ladyzhyn reservoir showed that the levels of pollutants are within the permissible limits. This is stated in the response of the State Ecological Inspectorate in Vinnytsia region to the request of UNN.

Details

Sampling took place at two sites of a private aqua farm where fish died.

During the laboratory study of the collected water samples, the main indicators of pollutants were determined, the concentration of which is standardized in water bodies to meet the drinking, household and other needs of the population (Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 721 of 02.05.2022). According to the results of the analysis, a slight exceedance of the MPC (maximum permissible concentration) for COD (chemical oxygen demand) was detected in samples No. 1 and No. 2 (32.0 mgU/dm3 at a standard of 30 mgU/dm3). The rest of the pollutant indicators were within the permissible limits

To recap

In early October, a massive fish pestilence occurred in one of the lakes of the Ladyzhyn Reservoir in the village of Stepashky, Vinnytsia region. According to the director of the aqua farm, Oleksandr Korkh, three thousand sturgeon and beluga fish with a total weight of nine tons died. At the same time, he claimed that the fish pestilence was caused by the ingress of dangerous chemicals into the water.  

However, at the same time it turned out that the aqua farm existed semi-legally. In August last year, Ukrryba, the state-owned enterprise that leased the lake, terminated the contract due to rent arrears. It filed a lawsuit to recover the debt and penalties. On October 20 this year, the Kyiv Commercial Court issued a ruling that fully satisfied Ukrryba's claim.

At the same time, in October, it was reported that some time before the incident, the fish had been insured. And it could have died due to improper feeding.