12:23 - 12.06.2023

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June 12, Fineko/abc.az. The Republican Center for Hygiene & Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan, together with the Caspian Integrated Environmental Monitoring Department (under the Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources), monitored the sanitary condition of beaches in the cities of Baku and Sumgayit, in the Lankaran, Khachmaz and Astara districts of Azerbaijan, as well as indicators of seawater quality using laboratory research methods.

ABC.AZ reports that following laboratory studies, it was found that the physico-chemical and bacteriological indicators of seawater on the beaches of Buzovna, Zagulba, Mardakan, Shuvelan, Novkhani, Goradil, Nardaran, Bilga and Pirshagi of Baku city comply with the established standards.

Monitoring of the quality of sea water was conducted in the sanitary protection zones of the Baku beaches of Shikhov (Sabail district), Sahil (Garadag district), Govsani (Surakhani district), Turkan (Khazar district of Baku) and the beaches of Sumgayit, in the northern coastal zone of the country (Yalama, Nabran, Istisu and the village of Seyidli), as well as on the beach areas of the southern region (Lankaran and Astara districts.

"Based on analyses of seawater samples taken for lab research, it was found that intensive pollution of the sea by sewage discharged into sanitary protection zones continues and indicators of microbiological pollution of seawater on these beaches do not meet the requirements of current regulations," the Health Ministry stresses.

Taking into account that high rates of bacteriological pollution of seawater during the beach season of 2023 pose a serious threat to public health, as well as the risk of the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases among the population, it was decided to temporarily prohibit the use of the beaches of the coast of Shikh, Sahil, Govsan, Turkan in Baku, Sumgayit, the northern coastal zone of the country (Yalama, Nabran, Istisu and the village of Seyidli), the southern region (Lankaran and Astara districts) and illegal beach areas in these territories.

"Currently, control measures are underway on the beaches with the use of lab methods for studying sea water. Following the monitoring, it is planned to take appropriate measures," the Ministry of Health says.