The environmental disaster on the Odra River has been the main topic covered by media across the country for several days. The first signs of river pollution appeared at the end of July. At that time, fish began dying en masse near Oława.
Later, fish began dying near Wrocław. The Polish Angling Association reported the problem at that point, and anglers were pulling large quantities of dead fish from the Odra. On Thursday (11 August), the poisoned water reached the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Appearing on "Fakty po Faktach" on tvn24, president of the Polish Angling Association Beata Olejarz was resentful toward the government that the PAA had been left alone with the problem:
For two weeks, nobody from the government—absolutely nobody—supported my colleagues or thanked them for collecting these fish as volunteers and handing them over for disposal. At the end of July, information about dead fish near Wrocław began reaching the central board.
The PAA notified the Voivodeship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, Polish Waters, the police and the prosecutor's office. They fulfilled all the duties that a fishing user should perform. Unfortunately, they received no support. They received no support from Polish Waters.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Department for Combating Environmental Crime at the General Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, Krzysztof Gołębiewski, assured viewers on tvn24 that:
The Environmental Protection Inspectorate immediately took action and collected samples to identify what we are dealing with. Other services that should take action were informed. A study of the fish was commissioned from an institute in Puławy, which will examine them to verify what caused their deaths.
The director assured that water testing was ongoing and that Environmental Protection inspectors were operating in five voivodeships.
More at tvn24.pl
On Friday (12 August), Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki decided to dismiss the head of Polish Waters, Przemysław Daca, and the Chief Inspector for Environmental Protection, Michał Mistrzak.
What poisoned the Odra?
It may have been mesitylene, a substance used to treat fuel. German services initially spoke of mercury; now they are talking about salt. The contaminated water from the Odra will eventually flow into the Baltic Sea. If it turns out that Poland is responsible for contaminating the Odra, we could face enormous penalties.
The problem of the poisoned Odra is being described as the greatest environmental disaster in recent years. It is not yet known what effects this disaster will have on the environment, or in the long term on animals and people. Returning to the state from before the disaster may take even several years.
On Friday (12 August), residents of Lower Silesia received an SMS from the Government Security Centre reading:
“Warning! Contaminated water in the Odra and in reservoirs through which it flows. Do not enter the water or use it. Do not eat or catch fish. Follow announcements.