Last week, councillors of the Lower Silesian Regional Assembly adopted a resolution to allocate 400,000 złoty for the purchase of pumps used to aerate the water in the Barycz River. Today, in the presence of Marshal Cezary Przybylski, the process of aerating the polluted water began using the new equipment.
– Our actions stem from concern for this beautiful and unique place. We will feel the effects of the disaster for a long time yet; now, the most important thing is saving nature – says Marshal Cezary Przybylski, leader of Bezpartyjni Samorządowcy.
The money granted by the Lower Silesian regional assembly was transferred to Stawy Milickie, a company subordinate to the regional government, which used it to purchase two specialist pumps: a smaller one with a capacity of 475 m³/h and a larger one with a capacity of as much as 1,250 m³/h. The equipment, whose purpose is to aerate the polluted water, arrived yesterday and, after successfully completing tests, was started up at full capacity today. The pumps will operate around the clock for the next few days. The water parameters will be checked on an ongoing basis.
Pollution posing a threat to the environment appeared in the Barycz River at the beginning of the month. Fortunately, thanks to the swift response, it was possible to cut off water inflows to Stawy Milickie. As a result, the contamination did not reach the nature reserve.
Additionally, Stawy Milickie, in agreement with Wody Polskie and the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Wrocław, decided to carry out a controlled discharge of water from the Stawno complex. Clean discharge water from Grabownica and Andrzej ponds, supplied from other watercourses independent of the Barycz, fed the river along the section from the Bolko weir towards Sławoszowice, Ruda Sułowska and Radziądz.
– I hope that the measures taken will help minimise the effects of the contamination of the Barycz River, which forms the axis of the landscape park. I believe that life will return here soon – adds Paweł Wybierała, Paweł Wybierała, a member of the Board of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and a representative of Bezpartyjni Samorządowcy.
The Barycz River flows through Poland’s largest nature reserve. The extraordinary Barycz Valley Landscape Park is a place known as a bird paradise. The greatest number of animal species can be found in the Stawy Milickie area. It is one of Europe’s most valuable ornithological centres and, at the same time, the site of Poland’s largest complex of fish-breeding ponds.
Because of its natural values and scenic qualities, the Barycz Valley is a protected area.