Repair of a sewage collector causes temporary pollution of the Novachitsa River in Sofia

Following reports of pollution of the Novachitsa River, experts from the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Sofia and the Danube Basin Directorate carried out an on-site inspection. It was found that the waters in the river are visibly turbid and have a slightly brownish coloration, which is due to the temporary diversion of a sewage collector of "Sofiyska Voda" AD.

"Sofiyska Voda" AD has timely informed the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Sofia, the Basin Directorate, the Sofia Municipality and the district administrations about the need for temporary diversion of the Desni Slatinski collector in the Novachitsa River for the period from 23.05.2025 to 10.06.2025. This is related to the implementation of a project, including bypassing two buildings, built on the existing route of the collector.

From "Sofiyska Voda" AD they point out that the construction and installation works are carried out on an active sewage collector, draining several neighborhoods of Sofia, without an available duplicate and without the possibility of temporarily diverting the waters into the existing sewerage system. Therefore, the continuation of the work is possible only after temporarily directing the water from the collector to the river.

A Construction Permit for the site has been submitted from the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Sofia Municipality. On 11.06.2025, "Sofiyska Voda" AD informed the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water that the normal operation of the storm overflow has been restored and the sewerage system is functioning normally.

During the discharge of wastewater through the outlet channel, measures have been taken to retain and periodically clean the larger household waste, thus reducing the pollution of the river. An inspection along the river will also be carried out, and if additional pollution is detected, the affected section will be cleaned. The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Sofia will continue to monitor the situation.