The State Environmental Inspection of the Carpathian District reported the results of an inspection during which water samples were taken from the Sadzhava River near the village of Pidberezhzhia.

According to the analysis results, the water showed exceedances of the maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants, including ammonium — by 2.3 times,chemical oxygen demand by 15.6 timesand the biological oxygen demand by 56 times..

These indicators may indicate a significant organic load in the river. In simple terms, the water may be using too much oxygen to break down pollution, while this oxygen is needed by fish, aquatic insects, mollusks, and other organisms. Under such conditions, the river ecosystem may lose its natural ability to self-purify.

The issue of the Sadzhava River is not new. The river has already been mentioned in previous materials on the quality of surface waters in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, and local residents have repeatedly drawn attention to the smell, changes in water quality, and the disappearance of aquatic fauna.

For people, these data are an important warning signal. If the river is connected to wells, springs, gardens, recreational areas, or the household use of water, its quality requires additional attention and testing.

At the same time, the fact that these indicators have been exceeded does not yet answer the key question: where exactly is the primary source of pollution located? A river has no administrative boundaries, so pollution may come from upstream, from tributaries, from areas near discharge points, landfills, or other sources of impact.

Youth Public Environmental Organization “Our Home – Manyava” has prepared a separate analytical material explaining what these indicators mean, how they may affect the river ecosystem and people, and why communities need open environmental data, regular monitoring of small rivers, and the identification of primary sources of pollution.

Read the full analytical material:
“Саджава: річка, яка вже сигналізує. Чи ми готові почути?”

Prepared by Youth Public Environmental Organization “Our Home – Manyava” based on open environmental data and public sources..